Calla Lily Care: Guide to Planting, Growing & Caring Tips

Have you ever thought about why Calla Lilies are adored as timeless representatives of elegance and purity globally? 

Tracing to its mention in historic cultures, traditions, and mythologies, these rhizomatous perennials allure with their sculpted blooms and contrasting foliage, making them a perfect fit for every landscape.

Calla Lily care requires little attention and love. Do not worry—it’s easier than it sounds. Growing from flower bulbs like rhizomes, these sculpted beauties return every year, adding tropical charm and beauty to your balcony gardens, indoor areas, and outdoors. 

Read this article till the end to uncover tips on how to care for Calla, its benefits, varieties, and troubleshooting common problems.

The Calla Lily at a Glance

The calla lily plant, derived from the Greek word ‘kallos’, meaning beauty, has been admired and treasured since prehistoric times. Imbibed in the roots of various cultures and mythologies, its terrific blooms represent peace and unity, while the strong stems symbolise inner strength and resilience. 

Cultural and Mythological Significance

Let us journey through the importance of these iconic perennial beauties in prehistoric times.

• In Greek chronicles, it symbolises magnificent beauty and divinity and is associated with Hera, the goddess of marriage and family.

  There’s a belief that Zeus, the king of the gods, wanted baby Hercules to drink Hera’s milk while she was asleep. Unaware of the situation, she got furious and pushed the baby away. The spilt milk turned into the Milky Way, and the drops that fell on earth turned into Calla Lilies. 

• On the other hand, Christians associated it with the Virgin Mary and used it to symbolise purity, faithfulness, and holiness. The mythology also mentions its link with Jesus, signifying resurrection and rebirth. 

• Roman cultures used this flower as a sign of celebration and fertility, and used it in many festivals and weddings.

  Although it is believed that the Roman goddess of love and beauty was jealous of the magnificent appeal of the flower and cursed it, resulting in the formation of a spike in the centre of the bloom.

• Modern-day people celebrate its bold, beautiful blooms to symbolise eternal love, peace, and remembrance. It is also one of the flowers used in funerals and memorials, gardens, bouquets, and as decorative houseplants, captivating hearts with its timeless elegance.   

Beyond its significance and cultural importance, it has long been treasured as one of the most graceful indoor plants and gardens. 

Do You Know?

New Zealand is the largest exporter of Calla Lilies. As per the National Center of Biotechnology Information, the export reached NZ$7.97 million (US$5.46 million), ranking among its top four flower crops in the past 23 years.

 

The Meaning Behind Different Colors

These trumpet-shaped Calla Lily blooms come in a wide array of colors, each carrying distinct charm and symbolism. Appealing hues and charm not only provide choices but also help in transforming your home garden into an aesthetic floral retreat. 

• White Flowers: These white blooms symbolise purity, innocence, faithfulness, and holiness.

• Pink Flowers: Conveys feelings of appreciation and admiration.

• Red Flowers: Red blooms are used for expressions of courage, passion, and beauty.

• Yellow Flowers: Similar to Yellow Roses, these blooms are also associated with joy, friendship, and gratitude. 

• Black Flowers: These gothic flowers convey the feelings of elegance, power, transformation, and mystery. 

• Orange Flowers: They represent confidence and self-esteem.

• Purple Flowers: Unlike purple plants that usually represent royalty, luxury, or intuition, these purple blooms symbolise passion.

Each color offers a unique appeal and is a perfect token for celebrations, festivals, and funerals. Once you are aware of how to look after Calla Lily in different environments, you can enjoy tropical flowers in every shade. 

Taxonomic Outline & Plant Profile of Calla Lily

Popularly nicknamed as the Arum Lily, Pig Lily, Funeral Lily, or Egyptian Lily, it is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern Africa, including Malawi, Lesotho, and Eswatini. The stunning appearance and allure have led to its popularity worldwide. 

To further appreciate the plant and its value in the botanical world, let us quickly rifle through its taxonomic profile. 

Kingdom	Plantae
Clade	Tracheophytes
Clade	Angiosperms
Clade	Monocots
Order	Alismatales
Family	Araceae
Sub-Family	Aroideae
Tribe	Zantedeschieae
Genus	Zantedeschia
Plant Type	Rhizomatous perennial flowering plants

Similar to Peace lilies, these Arum lilies are also confused with true lilies like Asiatic lilies. Despite the name, they are distinct and belong to different botanical backgrounds. Learning this distinction is important, as the care of Calla Lilies varies widely from that of other true lilies. 

Basic Calla Lilies care, along with a bit of your love, can elevate your boring gardens into striking landscapes. 

Beyond the Bloom: Exploring Calla Lily Features & Benefits

Besides their striking look and bold colors, these elegant blooms have certain unique features and benefits that make them a favourite among gardeners and plant lovers.

• Distinct Features: It features trumpet-shaped blooms in various colors that are more of a spathe (part of leaves), with a spike-like centre called spadix, which is the original flower.

• Versatile and Long Blooming Season: These perennials are flexible and suitable for every garden setting, be it garden beds, containers, cut flower arrangements, sidewalks, pathways, patios, or decks. 

  The long blooming season that lasts from late spring through mid-summer enhances the decor manyfold.

• Low Maintenance: Arum Lilies reward with beautiful blooms with very little attention and care. With proper soil, water, and light conditions, you can keep your plants happy and verdant.

• Decorative Appeal: Perfect for indoors and outdoors, it creates a striking addition to any garden setting. Whether you want to create a focal point in your interior halls or a classic cottage lawns and backyards, it is the perfect fit.

• Improving Air Quality: It acts as a natural purifier and fixes the indoor air quality by eliminating toxic pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from the air and releasing fresh oxygen.

  These are also one of the air-purifying bedroom plants that fix the air quality and promote a better environment for healthy sleep.

• Prevents Soil Erosion: When planted outdoors, it prevents soil erosion as it binds the soil and reduces the risk of erosion caused by wind or water.

• Promotes Biodiversity: Elegant and colorful blooms of this plant attract small bees, butterflies, insects, and other pollinators naturally to your garden and promote a healthier ecosystem.

Rich symbolism, varied meanings, and unlimited benefits make them a crown jewel of blooms and an iconic masterpiece of nature. 

Toxicity Alert!

As per many organisations, like the National Capital Poison Center or ASPCA,  these elegant blooms are highly toxic to humans and pets if ingested, as they contain calcium oxalate crystals.

 

Uncover the Most Striking Calla Lily Varieties

Arum lilies come in a wide variety of forms and colors, each with its own charm and appeal. The appearance and uses of each cultivar differ and offer a huge number of options for gardeners.

Here are the 15 most popular varieties of Zantedeschia species with different appeals and uses. 

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia aethiopica
Hardiness Zone	7-10 or 8-10 USDA
Mature Size	2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
Features	Large trumpet-shaped white spathe surrounding a yellow spadix. Lush green leaves Used for weddings and religious ceremonies.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia elliottiana
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	2-3 feet tall and 1 feet wide
Features	Gorgeous, striking trumpet-shaped yellow blooms. Large arrow-shaped leaves with white spots. Add texture to garden beds, containers, and borders.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia rehmannii
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	30-60 cm tall and 30 cm wide
Features	Large showy blooms in colors of pink, rose, or lavender surrounding a yellow spadix. Dark green sword-shaped leaves. Ideal for tight spaces and containers.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia albomaculata
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	30-60 feet tall and 30 cm wide
Features	Arrow-shaped leaves with white spots. Ivory white or pale yellow spathe surrounding a spike-like spadix. Grown as annuals, ideal for water gardens, beds, borders, and containers.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia odorata
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	30-60 cm tall and 30 cm wide.
Features	It is a rare winter-growing and summer-dormant variety. Sweet vanilla or Freesia flower-like smell. White spathe surrounding yellowish-orange spadix.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Black Star’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	30-60 cm tall and 30 cm wide.
Features	It is a hybrid variety with maroon black trumpet-shaped spathes surrounding bright yellow spadix. Narrow, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves. Ideal for creating contrast in the gardens and flower arrangements.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Odessa’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	12-24 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Features	Deep purple-black trumpet-shaped blooms. Lush, verdant, arrow-shaped foliage with a glossy appearance. Popular for its uses in cut flower arrangements, bouquets, beds, and borders.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Picasso’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	16-24 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Features	Creamy white spathes with reddish-purple blotch. Glossy, arrow-shaped leaves with dotted or variegated patterns. The bi-color blooms make it popular for borders, containers, and floral arrangements.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Flame’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	14-20 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Features	Trumpet-shaped yellow-orange-red flowers that look like flames with scarlet edges. Glossy heart-shaped leaves with white spots. Ideal for summer flower arrangements, festive bouquets, and bright garden displays.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Mango’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	16-20 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Features	Bright orange-yellow trumpet-shaped spathes with a yellow spadix in the centre. The bright colors represent the mango-like appeal. Lush green arrow or heart-shaped leaves with white spots. Tropical gardens, borders, or cut flower arrangements.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Captain Safari’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	20-28 inches tall and 14-18 inches wide.
Features	Showy gold and pink flushed spathes with yellow spadices. Blue-green arrow-shaped leaves with glossy appeal. Ideal for large containers, unique flower cut arrangements, and gardens.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Cameo’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	12-16 inches tall and 10-14 inches wide.
Features	Compact peachy-orange flowers with yellow tones and glossy arrow-shaped pointed leaves with variegated patterns. Its petite size makes it ideal for indoor plants and tight spaces.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Red Alert’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	18-24 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide.
Features	Trumpet-shaped, bright red flowers with a velvet-like texture and lush, dark green arrow-shaped leaves. It is one of the truest red Calla lilies available. Ideal for the garden beds, bright displays, and flower arrangements.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Purple Velvet’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	16-20 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide.
Features	Deep purple blooms with velvety texture and lush dark green leaves with speckles. Classy velvety appeal makes it ideal for weddings and festivals, cut flower arrangements, containers, and displays.

Botanical Name	Zantedeschia ‘Edge of Night’
Hardiness Zone	8-10 USDA
Mature Size	16-20 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Features	Deep burgundy to maroon black flowers with velvety texture. Glossy dark green leaves with silver or white speckles. Ideal for distinct flower arrangements and adding mysterious flavours to your garden and containers.

You must be amazed to see so many varieties of these flowers. They are not just mere blooms, but a design of nature that can instantly elevate your home decor without having to spend a huge amount. 

By learning how to feed and care for Calla Lily plants with the right conditions and needs, you can enjoy long-lasting beauties indoors and outdoors. 

How to care for Calla Lilies? Explore the Ultimate Guide

I am sure you have picked your favourite varieties by now and must be wondering about Calla Lily plant care and the optimum conditions required by them to thrive and flourish.

You’ll be happy to know they aren’t difficult to grow. Whether you want to brighten your outdoor living areas or add glamour to your indoor spaces, here’s a complete guide on Calla lily – how to take care of these ineffable blooms. 

Sun Exposure	Characterized by their tropical nature, they thrive in plenty of light and warm environments. In areas with extreme hot and humid weather conditions, they do better in partial shade. On the other hand, in temperate summer climates, they require full sunlight.
Soil	Prefers rich, moist, and well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6-6.5. To improve the quality of the soil, amend it with organic compost before planting.
Watering	If planted indoors, ensure to water them consistently to keep them moist. Once the rhizomes are established, you can water the plants once a week. In extreme hot and dry spells, ensure to water them frequently as the soil tends to dry up faster.
Temperature & Humidity	These are warm, environment-friendly flowering plants that prosper in a temperature range of 60°F-80°F. Unlike indoor plants that thrive in cold weather, they cannot tolerate frost. Moderate humidity levels help the plants to stay lush and fresh.
Fertilizer	Feed well-balanced fertilizers every 2–3 weeks during the spring, especially at the beginning of their growing season, for consistent flowering. Avoid choosing nitrogen-loaded fertilizers, as they can disrupt the flowering.
Pruning	Do not prune the plant harshly; just removing the wilted flowers and yellow leaves is sufficient for fresh growth. Usually, when these plants die off at the end of their growing season, cut them down to the soil level and dispose of the debris.

With a little effort, caring for a Calla Lily is simple and rewarding. Finding the right balance of light, water, soil, and temperature is the key to beautiful blooming Zantedeschia.

Expert Tips for Calla Lily Care Indoors

Arum lilies are multifaceted plants that can grace your indoor areas with mind-boggling appeal. While you know the basic needs and requirements, here are some expert tips to keep your Zantedeschia happy and blooming indoors. 

• Always plant them in well-draining soil with proper aeration to prevent root rot.

• Provide bright indirect light and keep rotating the pots so that they grow evenly.

• Feed the plants with liquid fertilizer in a balanced proportion during their growing period.

• Changing the top few inches of the soil every spring promotes healthier growth.

• These plants flourish in moderate humidity, so keep them away from air conditioners and vents.

• When the blooms fade, let the foliage die back naturally before trimming.

• And then, cut off the leaves from the soil level and allow the callas to rest in a cool, dark spot during dormancy.

With these few expert tips, along with a bit of patience, caring for Calla lilies gets easier and rewards you with long-lasting blooms. Moreover, you can balance your busy work with houseplant care using these indoor care tips.

How and When to Plant Calla Lily?

After learning how to care for the Calla Lily plant, you must be wondering when to plant it.

The best time to plant these Pig Lilies rhizomes is in spring, after the dangers from the frost have passed and the soil has warmed to at least 15 °C. 

In warmer climates, they can be directly planted outdoors, whereas in cooler climates, it is advisable to plant them indoors in pots at least 4–6 weeks before the last frost date and transplant them outdoors as the weather warms up.

How to Grow Zantedeschia Plants

Generally, Pig Lilies are propagated in different ways, but the most common and reliable methods are through divisions and seeds. 

Take a look at how you can propagate these species in a simple and hassle-free way.

Propagation From Division (Rhizomes)

Gather sterilized tools, like a shovel or pitchfork, to pull up the rhizomes. Use these tools to cut a circle around the roots, making it easier to pull the clumps. Once you have pulled the clumps off, remove the dirt and debris, and store the rhizome in a dark, cool, and ventilated place for several days. Avoid watering the stored rhizome. Use sterilized tools to separate the rhizomes after they have dried, ensuring each division has one eye or roots growing from it. Finally, plant the rhizome either outdoors directly into garden beds or indoors into container pots. The soil should be compost-rich, well-draining, and aerated.

Propagation from Seeds

Collect the seeds from mature pods, which have to be pre-grown, i.e, spread on the wet towel or cloth and left covered for several days. The seeds with no sign of life are discarded. Sow the pre-grown seeds into seed trays filled with moist seed starting mix soil. Store the seed tray in a warm area. Wait patiently for the seeds to germinate and remove the shoots that appear weak.

Growing through rhizomes is most common and successful, as the seedling method is less common and usually takes 3–5 years to flower.

Planting these species at the right times and conditions, with the help of the above propagation tips and tricks, makes Calla Lily plant care becomes easy and showers it with lush foliage and contrasting blooms. 

Troubleshooting Calla Lily Problems

Even though these species are easy to handle, they may face a few problems on their journey. Here are the most common issues you might face with Arum Lilies, listed below, along with their cause and fixes.

Problems	Cause	Fixes
Yellowing Leaves	Overwatering and soggy soils. Poor drainage Due to the natural dormancy phase, leaves turn yellow and die off.	Ensure the soil is well-draining and promotes aeration. Water them abruptly after monitoring the dryness of the soil. Allow plants to rest in their dormancy phase.
No Flowering	Imbalanced fertilizers with excess nitrogen. Insufficient light. Disturbed dormancy period.	Use a balanced fertilizer with less nitrogen in it. Provide bright indirect light to the plants for fuller growth.
Root Rot	Waterlogged soil Poor drainage Inappropriate watering.	Plant them in well-draining soil with good drainage and aeration. Water the plants properly after checking the dryness of the soil.
Drooping Stems and Leaves	Inappropriate watering. Lack of sunlight.	Ensure to water the plant accurately. Do not make the plant water-loaded. Move them to a spot with sufficient sunlight.
Powdery Mildew and Leaf Spots	Excess watering. Poor humidity levels. Lack of air flow and drainage.	Space the plants accurately to improve air flow. Water them accurately. Use fungicides to get rid of the powder-like spread on leaves.
Pest Infestation	Weak plants are infested with pests and insects like aphids, spider mites, slugs, and snails. Dry conditions also invite many pests and insects.	Rinse the leaves with water. You can get rid of fungus and gnats using insecticidal soaps, organic solutions, or neem oil. Try to regulate the humidity levels around the plants.

On the whole, you can avoid most of these problems by maintaining a proper balance of water, light, and soil. With little attention towards the care of a Calla Lily, you can eliminate these pesky problems and benefit from the elegant blooms all year round. 

A healthy plant can be used in many landscaping designs that can enhance the appeal of your balcony gardens, as well as outdoor lawns.

Landscape Ideas You Can Try with Zantedeschia Plants

• Decorative Containers on a patio or deck.
• Along garden borders, mixed with other companion plants.
• Try pairing it with Ferns, Astilbes, Elephant Ear Plants, or Hostas for woodland gardens.
• Pair them with Dahlias, Gladiolus, Zinnias, or Irises to cut flower arrangements and bouquets.
• Place them on table tops or centerpieces to enhance the overall look.

 

Wrapping Up 

Summing up, these trumpet-shaped blooms are so much more than mere flowers. Representatives of beauty, charm, divinity, and elegance since prehistoric times, make it a crown jewel for embarking on the celebrations, festivals, joy, friendship, and platonic love. 

Whether you are a novice gardener or a seasoned plant lover, it rewards you with beautiful, long-lasting spathes that become the centre of attraction of your home. Fulfilling the optimal Calla Lily care needs and conditions, these blooms can enlighten your interiors and gardens to a bountiful tropical retreat.