Calla Lily care

After Orchid, Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) is our second most elegant flower. It has become popular due to its graceful, fragile-looking white bloom. It's no coincidence that it's still one of the main flowers in bridal bouquets, and it's also becoming increasingly well-known and widespread as a houseplant.

The evergreen – green and white Calla Lily – varieties are native to the swampy and riverside areas of western tropical Africa. The colorful hybrids originate from the eastern desert regions of Africa and enjoy the influence of the warm Indian Ocean. They were introduced to Europe and the United States in the early 19th century.

Originally, the Calla genus was named after the famous Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus, but once it became clear that the genus needed to be divided, the German botanist Karl Koch named the new genus after his Italian colleague, Francesco Zantedeschi. Other common name is Arum Lily

Introduction to Calla Lily

Whether it's about caring for an indoor Calla Lily, a potted, or a garden Calla Lily, it's important to know what variety of Calla Lily we have in order to care for it properly.

Calla Lily belongs to the Araceae (arum) family and has two main types: the evergreen Calla Lily (with large green and white flowers) and the smaller colorful hybrid varieties.

The large white-flowered Calla Lily starts blooming around Mother's Day (from May to June). Both cut and potted versions make lovely Mother's Day gifts.

The large green-flowered types can bloom almost any time of the year. The colorful hybrids bloom during summer.

Calla Lily can grow from 3 - 8 feet (1 - 2.5 meters) tall. Its leaves can reach a length of 6 - 18 inches (15 - 45 cm). You can enjoy the flowers for up to 2-6 weeks.

Eight Calla Lily varieties are known, which have been crossbred, resulting in many flowers now available in a wide range of vibrant colors. Today, in addition to the traditional white Calla Lily, you can also buy pink, lilac, yellow, burgundy, orange, salmon, and purple ones.

With its large flowers stretching above its fleshy, arrowhead-shaped leaves, it makes a unique home decoration. Though it’s not the easiest to care for, it's definitely worth a try.

Calla Lily Care

Calla Lily Care: it prefers a sunny or partially shaded location; colorful hybrids especially require plenty of light, while the white calla can tolerate less. It thrives in moderate temperatures between 59 - 74 °F (15 – 23 °C), but in winter, it needs to be overwintered in a cool spot at 50 - 55 °F (10 – 13 °C). Water moderately, as its roots rot easily – use well-draining soil. For the first 8 weeks, fertilize weekly (or every two weeks if grown from a tuber), then switch to monthly feeding using a fertilizer formulated for tuberous plants. Stop fertilizing once the plant begins to bloom.

Light Requirements for Calla Lily

Evergreen – green and white Calla Lily

In warm climates, evergreen Calla Lily varieties should be placed in bright but preferably semi-shaded or shaded areas.

On hot summer days, they can't tolerate strong sunlight and can get sunburned. In cooler climates, they require full sun.

Colorful hybrid Calla Lily

Colorful hybrid Calla Lily varieties need a lot of light. Keep them in bright areas as they require full sun and won't develop flowers in the shade.

Ensure proper lighting both in winter and summer. Although they need sunlight, when temperatures rise above 86 °F (30 °C), shading is recommended.

Temperature Requirements for Calla Lily

Evergreen – green and white Calla Lily

Evergreen varieties (Zantedeschia aethiopica – as seen in the main image) do well in average warm conditions. In summer, they can be kept outdoors, but protect their roots from excessive heat and use mulch (such as bark or straw) to keep them cool.

Evergreen – green and white – Calla Lilies don’t like direct sun, they can get sunburned. At higher temperatures – above 73 °F (23 °C) – shade the plant to prevent heat stress.

From September to December, they need a cool location with temperatures around 50 - 59 °F (10 - 15 °C). During blooming, the ideal temperature is around 59 °F (15 °C).

Colorful hybrid Calla Lily

Colorful hybrid varieties need a temperature of 64 - 73 °F (18 - 23 °C) during their growing period. Ideally, 64 °F (18 °C) during the day and 55 °F (13 °C) at night.

In spring, start sprouting them at temperatures of 55 - 64 °F (13 - 18 °C). Growth stops below 55 °F (13 °C).

In winter, only leave the plant outdoors if the temperature stays above 50 - 55 °F (10 - 13 °C), otherwise the tuber may freeze and die. In winter, store the Calla Lily bulb at 43 - 46 °F (6 - 8 °C) in a dry place.

In colder regions, these varieties are recommended only as houseplants.

Watering need for Calla Lily

In dry indoor air, the leaves may wilt, so it's a good idea to occasionally mist the Calla Lily's leaves.

After Calla Lily has finished blooming, stop watering and feeding it so it can enter its dormant phase and the bulb (or tuber) can dry out for winter storage.

Even in warm, frost-free climates, it needs winter rest.

Evergreen – green and white Calla Lily

Evergreen varieties love and need water. They require consistently moist soil.

Water them at least twice a week, but be careful not to overwater, as it may cause root rot.

Colorful hybrid Calla Lily

Colorful hybrids require dry soil with excellent drainage.

Water cautiously, as the roots can easily begin to rot.

Fertilizing Calla Lily

When caring for a potted Calla Lily, if it's planted in a pot, water it with fertilizer once a week for 8 weeks. After the 8th week, only fertilize once a month. Use fertilizer specifically made for tuberous plants.

If you've planted a Calla Lily bulb and are starting its growth that way, fertilize it every two weeks for 8 weeks. Once Calla Lily starts blooming, stop fertilizing — it no longer needs it.

If you notice dark spots on the leaves or scorched edges, the plant may have received too much fertilizer. Be very careful! In this case, reduce the amount or frequency of fertilizing.

If that doesn’t solve the issue, check whether you may have overwatered the plant. It’s also important to know that the less sunlight Calla Lily receives, the more nutrient supplementation it will need to bloom properly.

Calla Lilies love acidic soil, so once they’ve sprouted, you can sprinkle used coffee grounds on the surface as a natural fertilizer.

Planting Calla Lilies, Planting Calla Bulbs

Calla Lilies grow and spread very quickly, so make sure to leave enough space when planting — whether in pots or directly in the ground — to allow them room to expand.

Plant the Calla Lily bulbs about 3 - 4 inches (7 - 10 cm) deep in well-draining soil. If planting in a pot, choose one that is 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) tall. Proper pot size is crucial when caring for potted Calla Lilies.

If planting multiple bulbs together, leave about 8 - 12 inches (20 - 30 cm) of space between them, as some varieties can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall, with roots spreading up to 12 inches (30 cm) wide.

Use medium-quality, loose mulch underneath and rich, loose mulch on top. Pests tend to avoid cedar, so using cedar chips as mulch is a good idea.

Mulch helps retain moisture without waterlogging and even supports Calla Lily growth like fertilizer. The soil mix should be loose and rich in humus.

The soil should be acidic, as Calla Lilies prefer acidic environments. Peat and leaf mold are good choices. Acidic potting mixes are recommended.

Wintering Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies need a winter rest period. As soon as the weather turns cold and before the first frost, remove them from the ground.

Grasp the green parts just above the soil, gently rock the plant back and forth to loosen the surrounding earth, then carefully pull it out. If you can't pull it out, try removing it by hand or use a small hand shovel carefully.

Cut off all green parts (leaves and stems) from the bulb, then leave the bulbs out in the sun for a few days to dry completely.

For winter storage, place the bulbs in dry peat moss inside a paper bag. Leave the bag open so the bulbs can breathe.

The ideal temperature for winter storage is 50 - 55 °F (10 - 13 °C).

Propagating Calla Lily:

Propagating Calla Lily from Seeds

Collect Calla Lily seeds in September or October, but always before the first frost. You’ll find the seed pods inside the mature flowers. These pods resemble small light bulbs and should be collected when they turn light green.

Cut the pods from the stem, remove the leafy cover, and allow them to dry. They will turn yellowish-white once fully dried. Do not place them in direct sunlight, but keep them in a frost-free area.

After that, extract the seeds from the pods. Moisten a paper towel and place it on a plate. Store the plate in a cool place — it doesn’t need to be sunny, even a basement is fine.

Scatter the Calla Lily seeds on the paper towel, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Cover them with another moist paper towel and leave them like that. Keep the paper towels constantly moist. Germination should occur within 3–5 days. Discard any seeds that fail to sprout.

Once sprouted, plant the seeds. Fill pots three-quarters full with seed-starting potting mix and place the seeds just on the surface. The seeds should stay on top, while the sprouts go into the soil.

Place each pot in a tray filled with water, so it absorbs moisture from the bottom. If watered from above, the seeds might rot in the soil.

Mist the topsoil lightly with water to maintain moisture without overwatering. Three to four sprays per session are enough. Growth should begin within 1–2 weeks.

The downside of propagation by seeds is that new Calla Lily plants won’t flower for about 3 years.

Propagating Calla Lily By Rhizome (Calla Bulb) Division

After removing the Calla Lily bulb from the soil, but before winter storage, divide the rhizomes using a sharp knife. Each separated bulb should have its own roots.

Then store them for the winter, and in spring, replant according to the instructions in the Calla Lily Planting section above.

Calla Lily Diseases, Pests, and Causes of Decline

• If dark spots appear on the leaves or the edges look scorched, reduce the amount or frequency of fertilizing. If the issue persists, check for overwatering.
• Dry indoor air can cause wilting. If kept indoors, regularly mist the leaves.
• Elongated leaves indicate a lack of light.
• Spider mites damage the underside of the leaves and cause deformities. Depending on the severity, the plant may stop developing or completely wither. If detected, spray the leaves thoroughly with a strong garden hose. The best method is spraying with soapy water — the stream must be strong.
• Symptoms of root rot: yellowing and wilting leaves. The plant grows slowly and eventually dies. Roots and rhizomes turn black and mushy. This develops in cold, damp conditions.
• Symptoms of grey mold: rotting of the stems, then flowers and leaves. Buds don’t open and wither. The disease typically spreads easily in winter. Prevention: avoid overhead watering, keep humidity low, and ensure good air circulation.

Is Calla Lily Toxic?

Calla Lily is toxic — the entire plant is considered poisonous. Do not consume it! Chewing or swallowing can cause mouth and throat irritation, and in more severe cases, drooling or vomiting. Keep it away from cats, dogs, and small children.

Some people may experience allergic reactions or dermatitis upon touching the plant.