How to Plant Clivia Seed

Clivias, hardy, low-maintenance members of the Liliaceae family, bring vibrant color and attractive foliage into a room during the coldest months of winter. These slow-growing houseplants, native to South Africa, can reach 2 to 3 feet in height and width, producing clusters of lily-shaped blooms in various shades of cream, yellow, orange and red. When propagated by seed, clivias take from three to five years to bloom and an additional five years to reach maturity.

• 1

  Soak clivia seeds in clean tap water for 24 to 48 hours.

• 2

  Disinfect your hands with soap and water before handling the seeds to prevent contamination.

• 3

  Wash clivia seeds in soapy water to remove any remaining debris. James Black, of the American Clivia Society, recommends using Sunlight dish detergent.

• 4

  Add one teaspoon of bleach to one gallon of water, add washed clivia seeds and soak for an additional 10 minutes.

• 5

  Fill planting containers with slightly moistened potting mix. Jim Shields, of the Clivia Society, recommends using a combination of two parts soilless potting mix and one part sand.

• 6

  Place one seed in the center of each container, pressing it into the soil lightly.

• 7

  Water each container thoroughly, taking care not to wash the newly planted seed away. To prevent seed upset, water containers from the bottom by placing each one in a tray filled with water. Moisture, absorbed through the drainage holes, is distributed through the soil without disturbing the seeds.

• 8

  Cover containers loosely with a sheet of plastic wrap to prevent moisture escape and to ward off mold and bacteria.

• 9

  Place containers, in a tray, in a location that offers indirect sunlight and temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 10

  Water containers from below when the surface of the soil dries out.