Unfortunately this is not unusual, especially the first time a clivia blooms. You probably can't get this flower to rise out of the leaves, but you may be able to keep this from happening the next time your plant blooms. I believe that lack of adequate fertilizing during the growing season (spring and summer) is a major contributor to the problem. Try to find a complete fertilizer with trace elements that has more potassium than phosphorus in it, and use it regularly. I added a small amount of muriate of potash to my potting soil in the summer after having this happen, and I haven't had it occur again.

This is from Clivianet.org:
We have found that moving plants to a cooler location (inside an air-conditioned house) and feeding with soluble fertilizer is the most effective combination to induce the peduncle (stem of the scape) to extend normally. Potassium has been suggested to play a critical role in scape elongation; at high summer temperatures, it does not seem to help by itself.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stunted scapes

Can I use Miracle Grow 20-20-20 as long as I add extra K and minor elements?

I wouldn't advise doing that. In the first three years or so, immature clivias benefit from a fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio. The high N helps them mature more quickly. Once it gets 12 leaves and is old enough to flower, South African growers recommend a 3:1:5 ratio. Note that 20:20:20 is way too high in phosphorous.

For the last few years I've been following the advice of Al (Tapla) in the Container Gardening forum and had excellent growing and flowering. He advises using a 3:1:2 ratio in all container plants. To encourage flowering, he cuts down the amount of N. Follow the link below if you want to know more.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fertilizing Containerized Plants

Thank you for the info. My plant has 16 leaves and 2 bloom spikes (umbels?).
I'll locate some 3:1:5 and some minor elements. Should I wait until it's done blooming before i fertilize?

I fertilize from January through October. A 3-1-2 fertilizer will be easier to find than 3-1-5. Miracle grow makes one that's 24-8-16 with minors. I use Foliage Pro, which is 9-3-6 with all trace elements. I just add extra K in mid summer. The most important thing is to make sure you have a fast draining potting mix because clivias are susceptible to root rot.

Hi qhslau,

That has happened to me on several occassions. The primary reason for the umbel not emerging from the crown of the plant like that is usually because the plant did not have a sufficient amount of cool temps to develop the stalk. It is recommended to give your plants no less than two month of cooler temps (not freezing, but 40 to 50 degrees F.. is okay. I usually put mine outside in spring (out of direct sun and rain) and wait until fall before the first freeze before I bring them back in. They usually bloom around Christmas time for me! Cool temps are a must for bloom development.

If you water your plant when the stalk is very small, it is stuck. Wait until it is min. 15 cm long, then water. That is happend to me last spring. I did't notice tiny stalk until it is too late. This spring I was more carefull. Now I have one stalk in full of flower and second is coming soon.

Mine seems to thrive on neglect as a potted plant. It never gets fertilization and during the first winter, as a house plant it went totally dry because I completely forgot about it. the leaves looked great anyway. It is going on 5 years now with scarcely any attention.

Blooms not getting tall!

This is happening to my clivia.

Mine bloomed beautifully in Washington State. I put them outside I’m May, fertilized with miracle grow, and brought them in befit the first frost. Never had a flower stalk get stuck. Then I moved to Florida. They have to stay outside year round. January and February should provide enough cool weather. At least as much as mine got indoors in WA. I Haven’t had good blooms since we moved. I thought they didn’t like the climate in Florida but now I’m thinking that I haven’t given them enough fertilizer early enough. They bloomed in July in WA but one tried to bloom in March this year in FL so I guessI need to start fertilizing in February.

I have this issue in SW FL

So glad I found this! My beloved Clivia "Fatima" has produced her very first bloom...and it's stuck. How disappointing! 4 years waiting for a bloom! Ugh... what's another year... follow the advice here and hopefully I'll get a bloom that has a stem!