Yellow Bush Lily
Latin Name: Clivia miniata 'Yellow'
$18.95
- Pot Size: 2 Inch
- Hardiness Zone: Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11
Clivia miniata ‘Yellow’ forms a neat clump of broad, strap-shaped leaves in deep, glossy green. In late winter and spring, thick stems rise above the leaves and open rounded clusters of creamy to lemon-yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Each bloom has a soft yellow throat, and the color looks warm and clear against the dark foliage. This is a yellow form of a shade-loving woodland plant from eastern South Africa. Its forest home shows in how it grows: the leaves spread wide to catch dappled light, and the plant scorches in strong sun. Older clumps often set golden berries that ripen slowly and hold for months.
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Plant Details
Quick Information
- Latin Name: Clivia miniata ‘Yellow’
- Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Common Names: Bush Lily, Natal Lily, Yellow Clivia
- Origin / Native Range: Forest understory of eastern South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga) and Eswatini
- Mature Height × Width: 1.5–2 ft × 2–3 ft
- Exposure Requirements: Filtered Shade
- Irrigation Requirements: Moderate
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11
- Cold Hardiness: 25°F–30°F
- Bloom Time: Late Winter through Spring
- Bloom Color: Creamy to Lemon-Yellow
General Information
Behind the flowers, this is a long-lived evergreen perennial. It grows from a thick, fleshy rhizome, an underground stem that stores food and water. A dense mat of fleshy roots spreads out below it. The leaves rise in two rows that face each other, and their overlapping bases stack into a short false stem. This gives the clump a neat, fan-like look. Because the foliage stays deep green all year, the plant earns its place even when it is not in bloom. Each season, a flattened flower stalk pushes up from the center and opens its cluster of blooms just above the leaves.
In the wild, bush lily grows on the shaded floor of subtropical forests in eastern South Africa. It often spreads into large colonies in well-drained soil rich in decayed leaf litter. Life in that dim understory shaped the plant we grow today. The wide leaves work like solar panels, catching the weak, dappled light that filters through the canopy. That same trait is why the leaves scorch in full sun. In the garden, this makes it a strong choice for shade: under trees, along a north wall, or in a pot on a covered patio. It handles short dry spells once settled, but it flowers best with steady moisture in spring and summer and a cooler, drier rest in winter. One honest limit is cold. The plant is frost-tender, and frost-burned leaves recover slowly, so a sheltered spot matters near its lower zone limit.
The story of yellow clivias adds to their appeal. The genus Clivia grows naturally only in southern Africa, and the familiar orange form was the first known to the wider world. Yellow-flowered plants turned up in KwaZulu-Natal in the 1890s, and they set off a wave of interest that still drives breeders today. Yellow color is uncommon and genetically tricky. More than one gene can produce it, and some yellow strains will not pass the color on when crossed with each other. Because of this, ‘Yellow’ works as a trade label for several yellow-flowered forms rather than one single registered plant. Most fall within the botanical variety citrina. As a safety note, every part of this plant contains lycorine and related alkaloids, natural compounds that are toxic if eaten. The rhizome holds the most. Swallowing plant parts can cause drooling, vomiting, and stomach upset in people and pets. Keep it away from curious children and animals, and wash your hands after handling the seeds.
General Planting & Cultivation Information
Even drought-tolerant plants require regular watering until they are well established, good drainage is essential. If planting in containers, avoid pots without drainage holes.
Irrigate by watering deeply and then allowing the top several inches of soil to dry between waterings. This encourages the plant to send roots deep into the earth in search of moisture, helping it to become established, prevent root rot, build drought tolerance, and resilience to wind, heat, and cold.
The length of time between waterings will vary depending on your growing conditions and environment. Use a moisture meter for precise irrigation.
When planting, set the plant at the same depth as it was in its current container. For trees, ensure the top of the root flare is at soil level.
Young plants are vulnerable to harsh conditions, so consider growing them in larger containers until mature.
When planting in the ground, research the optimal planting season for your climate zone and protect young plants from frost.
To support establishment, consider creating a microclimate with nurse plants, shade, or wind protection. This can reduce stress, conserve soil moisture, and increase long-term success.
Protect the small, immature plants from rabbits and deer.
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