Calla lilies are gracefully shaped flowers sought after for special occasionbouquetsand beautiful home gardens.
They are a long-lasting cut flower and are popular in wedding floral arrangements.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
When growing calla lilies, plant them in the springtime.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
They grow moderately fast, often producing flowers by early-to-mid-summer and blooming throughout the season until early fall.
Calla lilies are toxic to humans and pets.
All parts of the plant are toxic.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Recreate this plant’s natural habitat with warmth, light, and moisture to keep this plant healthy.
Like other flowering plants, fertilizer encourages flower growth.
The plant is also problematic in Australia, particularly affecting agricultural growers.
If you have a more temperate summer climate, your calla lilies can handle full sunlight.
Soil
A rich, moist,well-drained soilis best to keep calla lilies blooming.
Calla lilies often do well growing alongside ponds and can happily tolerate a moist soil location.
Although avoid allowing these plants to become waterlogged, as it can lead to root rot.
To increase the nutritional density of your soil, amend it with organic matter before planting your flowers.
Calla lily plants potted indoors will need constant moisture, as pots will dry out sooner than ground plantings.
When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the plants enter dormancy.
Dig up your rhizomes foroverwinteringbefore freezing temperatures occur.
Frost can kill the plant.
Most well-balanced fertilizers will work just fine.
Avoid choosing a blend that is nitrogen-heavy; it can reduce the plant’s flowering.
Types of Calla Lily
Common calla lily flowers are white with a yellow spadix.
Cultivars of this plant have been developed in different colors with a slightly smaller stature.
Removing parts of this plant will not kill it.
Pinch stems just below the base of the flower with your fingertips or use sterilized pruning shears.
In the spring, it will return.
(it’s advisable to wear gloves when working with this plant to avoid touching the sap.)
Calla lilies form into large clumps, and you might divide the clumps into separate plants.
Plants grown from rhizomes will flower much sooner than seed-grown plants.
Place the paper towel in a cool location, such as a basement or cellar.
After a few days, check for growth.
Discard any that do not show any signs of life.
Put the seed in a high-quality soilless medium in a well-draining pot.
Keep the soil moist and watch for growth.
Watch the plants for a couple of weeks and remove the weakest shoot from each pot.
You only want one seedling per pot.
Root-bound calla lily plants will not thrive, so replant them if you notice an issue with their roots.
Get a pot that is at least two or three inches deeper and wider than the old pot.
Fill the new pot with soil up.
Keep the soil moist consistently for a few days after repotting.
see to it the soil is not soggy or waterlogged.
A downside to clay pots is soil dries out quicker, requiring more frequent watering.
Once you dig up a rhizome, gently brush off any remaining dirt.
Do not wash or water the calla lily rhizomes since that can cause fungal root rot.
Cut off the foliage from the top of the rhizomes.
Allow the rhizomes to dry in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place for four to seven days.
Store them in a cool, dry place: somewhere that stays around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Usually, a garage or basement works well.
Common Problems With Calla Lily
It’s generally easy to grow calla lilies.
Other than regular water, they do not need much care.
However, if their growing needs aren’t met, they can suffer.
If your plant grows rapidly and looks lush but has brown-edged leaves, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can cause that.
Your plant will likely not bloom either.
Yellowing Leaves, Wilting, or Stunted Growth
Calla lilies are water lovers.
Drooping Stems and Flowers
Plant droop can be resulting from too little and too much watering.
Also, too much nitrogen in fertilizer can lead to drooping stems and flowers.
If it doesn’t have enough water, adding water will help it perk up.
Calla lilies are fast-growing plants that can grow up to three feet tall in one growing season.
Canna lilies (Canna spp.)
and calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.
)are known for their full, luscious summer blooms and rhizomes.
Cannas have large, banana-like, or paddle-shaped leaves in green, burgundy, or variegated colors.
Callas have long, arrow-shaped green or green and white leaves.
North Carolina State Extension.
California Invasive Plant Council.
Flowering Bulbs for Georgia Gardens.University of Georgia Extension.
