Kaffir Lily Plant Care
Clivia mirabilis Rourke
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Clivia mirabilis is a plant and geophyte belonging to the genus Clivia. The species is endemic to the Northern and Western Cape where it is found on the Bokkeveldberge plateau at Nieuwoudtville where there are two subpopulations.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Kaffir Lily?
Water Kaffir Lily every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Kaffir Lily Native To?
What Is the Kaffir Lily?
Kaffir Lily (Clivia mirabilis) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Clivia genus. Kaffir Lily is native to the Northern and Western Cape. Kaffir Lily is also known as Bush Lily, Natal Lily.
Kaffir Lily displays a clumping perennial with strap-like leaves growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Kaffir Lily produces clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange, red, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Kaffir Lily?
Clivia mirabilis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Kaffir Lily Need?
Kaffir Lily thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Kaffir Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Kaffir Lily Prefer?
Clivia mirabilis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Kaffir Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Kaffir Lily?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Kaffir Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Kaffir Lily?
Feed Kaffir Lily every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Kaffir Lily?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Kaffir Lily?
Kaffir Lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to clivia lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Kaffir Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Kaffir Lily?
Kaffir Lily is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Kaffir Lily Need?
Kaffir Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Kaffir Lily is native to the Northern and Western Cape. In cooler regions, grow Kaffir Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Kaffir Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Clivia genus — compare its care with other Clivia species on PlantoScan.
Clivia is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Kaffir Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Clivia mirabilis Rourke, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Bothalia 32: 1 (2000)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Kaffir Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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