Green Clivias: A Rare Beauty Taking the Clivia World by Storm
Green-flowered clivias remain one of the most unusual and sought-after novelties in the clivia world. Their ethereal beauty, subtle colouring, and rarity make them truly captivating—and spotting one in another grower’s collection is enough to make even the most seasoned enthusiast green with envy. Once a rarity seen only in a handful of collections, green clivias are now gaining recognition and momentum as one of the most exciting developments in modern breeding.
Two of the most well-known and widely circulated green strains are the Hirao and TK (Tokyo) greens. Both are derived from Group 2 yellows and exhibit stunning green shades that range from cool mint tones to more olive and lime hues. When crossed with other Group 2 yellows, these plants can produce excellent green-throated yellows and have become staples in many breeders’ toolkits.
Among all green clivias, one name stands out: Charl’s Green. Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful and genetically intriguing clivias ever bred, Charl’s Green has been the subject of much admiration and discussion. Dr. Harold Koopowitz has noted its unique genetic potential, particularly its lack of yellow pigmentation—a characteristic that may one day lead breeders to the elusive goal of a pure white clivia. Charl’s Green is believed to be a Group 2 yellow interspecific, further increasing its breeding value.
At Utopia Clivias, we’ve worked extensively with Charl’s Green F1 plants, and from this foundation we’ve begun developing our own line of white-tinged greens: the Ice Series. These second-generation whites with green highlights are extraordinarily rare and possess an icy elegance that sets them apart. We're carefully selecting from these to continue refining the line.
Another standout in the green world is Hottie’s Hirao, widely regarded as one of the best Hirao breeders globally. Its pollen has been used to produce some famous offspring, including Zol and Daggacookie—both of which have achieved acclaim for their flower quality and breeding consistency.
We are also engaged in an exciting project involving compact, semi broad-leaf greens, developed from an original cross between Coromandel Bronze × Charl’s Green. These plants—collectively known as the 1212 Green Series—have shown excellent promise. We selected the most vibrant green-stemmed seedlings, grew them to flowering size, and are now continuing the line by selecting top performers annually. Our goal is to breed smaller, more compact plants with intense green pigmentation and higher flower counts.
Across our broader breeding efforts, we’ve produced numerous top-quality F2 greens from Hirao, TKO, and Charl’s Green lineage. These second-generation plants consistently show improved flower numbers, stronger colour intensity, and more compact growth habits—bringing us closer to the ideal green clivia with each passing season.
The green revolution in clivias is well underway, and we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of it. We look forward to seeing what the next generation of green hybrids will reveal as we continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Clivia breeding.
