From Seed to Bloom — Why Patience Pays Off
Clivia flowers are admired around the world for their bold beauty and vivid colours—but what many don’t realise is just how long it takes to get from seed to flower. For new enthusiasts, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the Clivia’s journey—one that takes around five years from pollination to blooming!
Growing Clivias is a slow, deliberate process. But for those who are patient, the reward is extraordinary.
The 5-Year Path to Flowering
Pollination – This happens during flowering season and is the very first step in the Clivia life cycle.
Seed Ripening – Once pollinated, seeds take around 10 months to fully ripen inside colourful berries.
Seed Harvesting & Planting – Ripe berries are harvested and the seeds are cleaned and germinated.
Year 1 – Seedlings develop slowly, usually reaching the 2–3 leaf stage.
Year 2 – Young Clivias begin to take shape, producing 5–7 leaves.
Year 3 – Seedlings mature further, growing 8–12 leaves and building strength.
Year 4–5 – Once a Clivia has at least 16 leaves, it is mature enough to bloom—either in its fourth or fifth year.
Every Clivia bloom tells a story of patience, time, and careful nurturing. So the next time you admire a Clivia flower, you’ll know just how much love and waiting went into that single, stunning bloom.
