Growli
Let's go

Plant care

Natal Lily (Bush Lily) care

Clivia miniata

Also called Natal Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily, Clivia Lily, Flame Lily.

RHS H1cUSDA 9–11Toxic to petsIndoor 45–60 cm tall in flower

Watering rhythm

7-10days

Every 7–10 days in spring and summer; sparingly (every 3–4 weeks) during the winter rest

Jump to schedule→Get smart reminders in the app

Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Peat-free loam-based compost with added leaf mould and grit

Humidity

40–60%

Temp

10–25°C (winter rest at 8–12°C)

Pet safety

Toxic to pets

Mature size

45–60 cm tall in flower

Care at a glance

Light

In the wild natal lily grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Position in bright, filtered light out of direct summer sun, which scorches the strap-like leaves; north or east-facing windowsills are ideal in the UK, or an east or west exposure in the US. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for every 7–10 days in spring and summer; sparingly (every 3–4 weeks) during the winter rest for natal lily, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Allow the surface of the compost to dry between waterings in the growing season; during the winter rest reduce watering dramatically — barely moist is the target to avoid rot while maintaining the cool dormancy that triggers flowering.

Soil and pot

Natal Lily grows best in peat-free loam-based compost with added leaf mould and grit. Use a fast-draining, structured mix such as John Innes No. 2 with 20% perlite or coarse grit; Clivia resents poorly drained compost and its fleshy roots are prone to rot. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Natal Lily sits happiest at around 40–60% humidity and 10–25°C (winter rest at 8–12°C) (50–77°F (winter rest at 46–54°F)). Tolerates average indoor humidity well; avoid placing near radiators or heating vents that create very dry air, and mist occasionally if humidity drops below 35% in winter. If you keep the room above 10–25°C (winter rest at 8–12°C) year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed natal lily sparingly. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser weekly during active growth from late winter through summer; switch to a high-potash feed as flower buds form; withhold fertiliser entirely during the winter rest. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on natal lily in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Failure to rebloom — The most common complaint; caused by omitting the cool, dry winter rest — move the plant to a cool room at 8–12°C in autumn, reduce watering, and stop feeding for six to eight weeks to initiate flower spikes.
  • Mealybugs at leaf bases — Mealybugs lodge in the crevices between leaves and at the base of the fan; treat by swabbing with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol and follow up with a systemic insecticide or neem oil drench if the infestation is heavy.

Propagation

Division of basal offsets (pups) is the most reliable method — detach pups with at least three leaves in spring after flowering and pot individually; seed can be sown when ripe but seedlings take three to five years to flower and parental traits are not guaranteed. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Natal Lily is toxic to pets. Confirmed toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA (Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database — Clivia Lily entry). Toxic principles are lycorine and related Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, which cause vomiting, salivation, and diarrhoea; large ingestions can cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. The bulb and rhizome are the most toxic parts. Unlike true lilies (Lilium spp.), Clivia miniata does not cause acute renal failure in cats, but it remains a serious hazard. Contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) if ingestion is suspected. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Natal Lily care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Clivia miniata?

Clivia miniata is most commonly called Natal Lily, but it is also known as Natal Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily, Clivia Lily, Flame Lily. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Natal Lily apply identically to anything sold as Bush Lily.

How much light does natal lily need?

Natal Lily grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Position in bright, filtered light out of direct summer sun, which scorches the strap-like leaves; north or east-facing windowsills are ideal in the UK, or an east or west exposure in the US.

How often should I water natal lily?

Water natal lily every 7–10 days in spring and summer; sparingly (every 3–4 weeks) during the winter rest. Allow the surface of the compost to dry between waterings in the growing season; during the winter rest reduce watering dramatically — barely moist is the target to avoid rot while maintaining the cool dormancy that triggers flowering. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is natal lily toxic to cats and dogs?

Natal Lily is toxic to pets. Confirmed toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA (Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database — Clivia Lily entry). Toxic principles are lycorine and related Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, which cause vomiting, salivation, and diarrhoea; large ingestions can cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. The bulb and rhizome are the most toxic parts. Unlike true lilies (Lilium spp.), Clivia miniata does not cause acute renal failure in cats, but it remains a serious hazard. Contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) if ingestion is suspected.

What USDA hardiness zone does natal lily grow in?

Natal Lily is rated for USDA zone 9–11 and RHS hardiness H1c. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Natal Lily deep-dive guides

Every aspect of natal lily care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Natal Lily qualifies for 3 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Natal Lily is also known as Natal Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily, Clivia Lily, and Flame Lily.