Clivia Flowering Colours

Clivia flower colours have evolved rapidly through human intervention rather than natural selection. While wild clivias feature bold tones, breeders have spent decades carefully crossing plants to create a massive spectrum of new shades. 

 The Evolution of Colours

  • The Wild Basics: In nature, most clivia miniata produce warm bright orange to orange/red flowers. These colours rely on natural pigments called carotenoids (which make things yellow/orange) and anthocyanins (which make things red/pink). 
  • The Yellow Breakthrough: Yellow clivias were historically very rare in the wild. In 1899, a rare yellow variant called citrina was discovered in South Africa. Breeders used this plant to create yellow hybrids. 
  • The Pastel Era: By crossing oranges, orange/reds, and yellows, breeders unlocked new pastel shades. Today, you can find clivias in soft peach, apricot, and warm cream. 
  • Rare "Whites" and "Greens": While true stark white is still very rare, growers have successfully bred near-white varieties. Additionally, striking lime-green and creamy-green flowers have emerged, which are highly prized by collectors.
  • Multi-Color Blooms: Breeders have also developed unique bicolours and picotee flowers, versicolour, splash, 777, watercolour, particolour and white lip flowers.  These flowers feature mixed tones.