Proper calla lily care rewards you with stunning blooms that last for months after the flower stalks appear about eight weeks after planting. These plants come in many colors—white, yellow, orange, pink and purple among them. You have options whether you grow them in containers or garden beds. But calla lily plant care requires understanding their unique growth cycle, rhizome storage needs and dormancy phases.
We’ll walk you through how to grow a calla lily with success, covering calla lily care indoors and calla lily care outdoors. You’ll learn the steps to keep these plants thriving year after year, from planting rhizomes to winter storage.
Understanding Calla Lily Basics
What Are Calla Lilies
Calla lilies belong to the genus Zantedeschia in the Araceae family. This makes them relatives of caladiums and jack-in-the-pulpit rather than true lilies. These rhizomatous perennials are native to southern Africa and grow from fleshy underground rhizomes that multiply over time. The distinctive flower consists of a spathe, a modified leaf that curls around a finger-like spadix at the center. The spathe creates the trumpet shape we recognize. The spadix holds the actual tiny flowers and can reach 3 inches long in some varieties.
Plants reach heights of 1 to 3 feet tall. They spread about 1 to 2 feet in diameter. Calla lilies function as tender perennials in warmer regions, USDA Zones 8 to 10. Homeowners in cooler zones treat them as annuals or dig up rhizomes to store them indoors during winter.
Growth Cycle and Dormancy
Rhizomes emerge about 2 weeks after planting. Rapid growth follows once shoots appear. Most calla lily species require a dormancy period where growth slows and foliage dies back. This rest phase is critical for future flowering. Zantedeschia aethiopica stands apart as the only evergreen species. It retains leaves and produces flowers continuously when temperatures stay above 65°F and the plant receives adequate water.
Rhizomes left in the ground will bloom again the following summer in cooler climates where calla lilies are grown as perennials. Flowering may decrease over time. This signals the need to dig and divide rhizomes to restore vigorous growth.
Light and Temperature Needs
Calla lilies thrive in temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees F during active growth. Maintain temperatures between 65°F and 75°F for indoor growing. Plants enter dormancy when temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Calla lilies grow well in full sun or partial shade in warm climates, whereas cooler areas require full sun for best performance.
Are Calla Lilies Poisonous
All parts of calla lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. This makes them toxic to dogs, cats and humans. Ingestion causes:
- Oral irritation and intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips
- Excessive drooling and difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting and decreased appetite
- Potential swelling of the upper airway in severe cases
The sap may also irritate skin and eyes upon contact. Keep these plants away from curious pets and children.
How to Plant Calla Lilies
Image Source: Flowers Guide
When to Plant Calla Lilies
Plant calla lily rhizomes in spring once all frost danger passes and soil warms to at least 65°F. Proper soil temperature prevents rhizomes from temporarily stopping growth in colder zones. Start rhizomes indoors about one month before outdoor planting for earlier blooms, or six weeks ahead if you want flowers by early summer.
Choosing the Right Location
Select a site with full sun in northern gardens or partial shade in southern regions. Afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch in hot climates. Avoid areas where water puddles 5-6 hours after rain, as standing water causes rhizome rot. Calla lilies stay in the ground year-round in warmer zones (8-10), whereas colder zones require you to treat them as annuals or dig rhizomes for winter storage.
Planting Calla Lily Rhizomes
Dig holes 3 to 4 inches deep. Place rhizomes with growing tips (eyes) facing upward. Space plants 6 inches apart in garden beds or 4 inches apart in containers for a fuller look. Cover rhizomes with soil and water lightly after planting. First shoots appear about 2 weeks later, with flowering beginning 8-16 weeks after planting based on temperature and sunlight.
Container vs In-Ground Planting
A 6-inch container holds one calla lily, while a 12-inch pot accommodates three rhizomes. Plant rhizomes 2 inches deep in containers, shallower than garden plantings. Containers need adequate drainage holes to prevent root rot. Plants grown in-ground develop more extensive root systems and grow larger.
Soil Requirements
Use well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Amend heavy soils with compost or sand to improve drainage. Choose quality potting mix for containers instead of garden soil. Calla lilies tolerate moist conditions but fail in waterlogged soil.
Calla Lily Plant Care Essentials
Image Source: Plantura Magazin
Watering Your Calla Lily
Check the top 2 inches of soil before watering. Water really well once a week at the time the soil dries out and make sure drainage holes release excess moisture. Container plants dry out faster than in-ground plantings. Keep soil moist but not soggy, as trapped water causes root rot. Reduce watering frequency in November at the time plants enter dormancy.
Fertilizing for Best Blooms
Feed monthly during spring and summer with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Use a 10-10-10 formula during active growth and switch to a 10-30-20 bloom booster at the time buds form. Stop fertilizing once blooms fade. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas that promote foliage over flowers.
Deadheading and Pruning
Pull spent flower heads at the base rather than cutting them. This redirects energy to rhizome development for next year’s blooms. Remove yellowing or damaged leaves as needed.
Common Pests and Diseases
Watch for aphids and spider mites on foliage. Check leaf undersides for sticky honeydew residue. Root rot develops from overwatering and poor drainage. Hand-remove pests at the time you spot them early.
Winter Care and Storage
Zones 7 and below require you to dig rhizomes after the first frost kills foliage. Cut stems 1-2 inches above soil and dry rhizomes for 1-2 weeks in a warm location. Store in vermiculite or peat moss at 50-60°F for 2-3 months. Zones 8 and higher need you to stop watering and apply mulch.
Calla Lily Care Indoors vs Outdoors
Image Source: Flowers Guide
Growing Calla Lilies Indoors
Place indoor calla lilies near south-facing windows where they receive very bright, indirect light all day long. Avoid intense midday sun that browns leaves and flowers. Position pots on pebble-filled trays with water. Evaporation will provide humidity. Alternatively, mist plants when air feels dry. Set containers in shallow saucers filled with water and refill as it evaporates to maintain consistent moisture. Blooms appear 8-16 weeks after potting and depend on sunlight exposure. Repot 1-2 times during a single growing season as roots fill containers.
Calla Lily Care Outdoors
Outdoor callas need bright, well-lit spots away from strongest midday sun. Moderate climates with full sun produce the biggest blooms, whereas hotter regions benefit from afternoon shade. Plants must be sheltered from wind. Zones 8-10 allow callas to function as perennials and overwinter in the ground. Zones 7 and below require digging rhizomes before frost.
Moving Plants Between Indoors and Outdoors
Bring potted plants indoors before the first frost arrives. Summer months allow you to move indoor containers outside to full sun locations in cooler climates or partial shade in warmer areas. Potted callas transplant back to garden beds in spring with minimal effort.
Container Care Tips
Container-grown callas need about 6 hours of sunlight daily. Pots dry out faster than in-ground plantings and require more watering checks. Select containers with adequate drainage holes.
Conclusion
These plants reward consistent care with months of blooms, whether you choose containers or garden beds. Of course, understanding their dormancy cycle and proper rhizome storage makes the difference between one-time flowers and years of repeated success. Start with the simple steps we covered and monitor your plants. Adjust watering based on what you observe. Your callas will thrive with attention to their specific needs and give you those elegant trumpet-shaped flowers season after season.
