Zantedeschiaspp.
When you ’re bet for a statement flora that impart an air of high - end sophistication , the calla lily lily is always a top contender .
Consistently graceful , callas impart a unique flair to the garden with their distinctive chalice - like blossom in a range of juicy tropical colors digest by handsome upright foliage .
The striking colors occur in a wide range of color including apricot , bootleg , burgundy , mauve , orangish , peach , pink , purple , blanched , and yellow .
And they ’re long - lasting , provide weeks of color in the spring or former summer garden , depending on when they were planted .
stamp perennials , callas blossom from ahead of time to midsummer .
However , outside of their recommended hardiness range , calla may be grown as annuals – plant in spring for a outstanding late - season display from midsummer through September .
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When they ’re not in heyday , the strappy to heart - determine foliage stays attractive and vivacious , sage to jade green in colour and often adorn with aglow clean freckles .
well cultivated , these plants develop from rhizomes and make a salient addition to bed , margin , and containers , and they can also be grown indoors as houseplant .
They attract butterflies and hummingbirds , but deer , rabbit , and gnawer will typically leave them alone .
Interested in study more about the classy calla ? Then let ’s toil in and learn how to grow arum lily lily for well-situated worldliness !
Here ’s what lie ahead :
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to raise
Cultivars to Select
sustainment
Propagation
Pests and Disease
Best Uses
Not a true lily at all , calla lilies , also called aroid or bull lily , are herbaceous rootstock from southern Africa and go to theZantedeschiagenus in the Araceae family .
The genus stop eight species of clump - forming perennial grow for their colourful , ornate flowers and cosmetic foliage .
Common name(s):Calla , arum , bull lilies
flora case : Herbaceous flowering rootstock
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):8 - 11
Native to : Southern Africa
bloom of youth time / season : ahead of time to midsummer
Exposure : Full sun in nerveless regions , full sun to fond tincture in hot part
Soil type : Loamy , loose , enriched , well draining
Soil pH:5.6 to 6.5 , acidic to slightly acidulent
Time to maturity:65 - 70 twenty-four hours ( natural spring ) ; 70 - 75 days ( fall )
Spacing : 12 inches ( rootstalk ) , 6 - 8 in ( containers )
Planting depth:2 - 4 inch for rhizome , depending on size of it
Mature size:12 - 24 inches wide x up to 40 inches high
Water Needs : mellow
Taxonomy
Order : Alismatales
Family : Araceae
Genus : Zantedeschia
metal money : Albomaculata , aethiopica , elliottiana , rehmannii
Frost attendant , these plants are intrepid only inUSDA Hardiness Zones8 to 11 , and are grown as annuals in cool regions .
The flowers lie of a exclusive modify leaf yell a spathe that appears as a unlined “ petal , ” roll into a chalice or cornet shape .
The spathe gird a finger - like efflorescence called a spadix , which is the true flowering part . The spadix is typically golden yellow or matches the spathe in color , and produces pocket-size seed pods after flowering .
The handsome leave are stretch and stemless , sometimes shiny , and with a swordlike or arrowhead shape . These come in various shades of green , from milky jade to deep forest .
Delicate white spotting is a lovely feature that adorns the foliage of many cultivar , providing a freckled look .
A Note of Caution:
All parts ofZantedeschiaplants turn back indissoluble crystals of calcium oxalate . If absorb , this can make an vivid burning at the stake sensation and swelling of the lips , knife , and throat , as well as GI discomfort .
flora callas aside from areas where small fry or dearie romp or livestock graze , and wear off gloves when handle all parts of the plant include seeds and rhizomes .
There are four coinage of tone for the home garden , along with numerous hybrids :
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Z. aethiopicais also known as the common or arum lily . It features wide trumpet - shaped flowers with a milklike white to pale rosy pink spathe , often adorned with a saucy flip or wriggle at the tip .
The spathe is anchored with a golden spadix and is set amidst dark unripe arrowhead - shaped foliage . This is the most popular specie used by florist shop .
It prefers a moist location and can be grown as a peat bog plant or in piddle garden as well as garden beds .
These plants grow 24 to 40 inch marvelous , and are hardy in zone 8 to 10 .
Zantedeschia albomaculata
Z. albomaculata , also known as the spotted arum lily lily or lily-white spotted arum , has distinctive ivory clean flowers that occasionally show cream , pale lily-livered , and coral pink version .
The spathes are goblet - like , tall and narrow-minded , with broad , strappy foliage adorned with white freckles .
An prodigious cut flower , flora of this species have a fledged height of 12 to 24 inch , and are hardy in Zones 10 to 11 .
Zantedeschia elliottiana
Z. elliottianais also known as the aureate aroid or calla lily with a large , trumpet - like spathe and a spadix of brilliant golden yellowness . The pretty foliage is freckled and has an arrowhead grade .
A standout miscellanea that leave weeks of heyday , these plants reach 24 to 36 inch tall . They are sturdy in Zones 8 to 10 .
Zantedeschia rehmannii
Z. rehmanniiisthe pinkish species . It features pretty spathes of mauve , maroon , pink , purple , and lily-white . The spadices are xanthous , and the foliage is strappy and swordlike .
A fecund boner leave week of color , this forgetful species produces plants of 12 to 24 inch in height . These are hardy in Zones 8 to 10 .
Other mintage not ordinarily cultivated includeZ. jucunda , Z. odorata , Z. pentlandii , andZ. valid .
Calla lily require slack , well - draining , and consistently moist soil enriched with compost or cured manure , and prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.6 to 6.5 .
They prefer a full Lord’s Day location in neighborhood with temperate summers , and partial , dappled , or afternoon shade in areas with hot summertime . Full shade will compromise flowering and is not recommended .
Planting
rhizome are typically establish in the spring . await until all danger of frost has authorize and the soil has warmed to 65 ° degree Fahrenheit . Theydon’t need any signifier of chillingto develop and bloom .
For earliest bloom , you could start rhizomes indoors in one - Imperial gallon sens six to eight week before found out into the garden .
In areas where they can grow as perennial , they can also be embed in late summer or early fall . But note that it might be hard to find rhizomes at this time because they ’re usually sold in spring .
Here are the planting steps :
It can take two or three hebdomad before the first shoots seem , after which item growth is speedy .
After works are six to 10 inches tall , mulch thickly with straw orleaf moldto keep moisture and keep weeds down .
Find more tips on watering Zantedeschia aethiopica lily here .
Bog Planting
Z. aethiopicais suitable for use as an aquatic species for locating at the sharpness of a bog , pool , or stream .
Here ’s how to plant them :
All aquatic industrial plant should be originate in a heavy , enriched , clay - based surface soil . Avoid commercial-grade potting mix or soils with a lot of compost , peat , perlite , or other materials that be given to float .
Container Care
Callas do well in enceinte container , 16 column inch and larger , and can be planted closer than in the primer coat , about four to six inch apart .
gravid feeders , container - develop plants should be fed every two weeks with a balanced , half - strength dilute fertilizer , with a make-up such as 10 - 10 - 10 NPK .
Once the foliage has faded in preparation for dormancy , stop watering and move your plants to a dark or shaded area .
Resume watering in two to three month , and move the containers back into the light once all peril of hoar has passed .
Keep the ground lightly moist until you see the first bit of unripened leave pound through the surface . Once topside growing is six inches , increase watering to keep the territory moist but not wet .
fertilise only while the works is growing and blossoming .
Evergreen variety can also be develop indoors or winter near a window that ply bright collateral light . Indoors , keep the soil moist and continue to fertilize on a monthly basis .
happen more details on grow calla lilies in containers here .
Calla stock breeder continue to develop new cultivars with amazing colors and long - lasting prime . Here are a few current favourite .
Black Star
‘ Black Star ’ is a handsome hybrid that features grandiloquent funnel - shape blossom of the deepest , darkest burgundy purpleness , with attractive bass unripened and freckled foliage with burgundy summit and ribbing .
For striking outcome , fuse with bright or easy - colored plants like lime greenpotato vineor silvery artemisia .
‘ Black Star ’
industrial plant farm 15 to 24 inch and are hardy in zone 9 to 11 .
Rhizomes are available at Burpee .
Romantic
A classic loan-blend mix , ‘ Romantic ’ features trumpet - shaped flowers of different shadowiness of cream , pink , whites and purple .
‘ Romantic Mix ’
An excellent pick for bed , borders , container , and veer blossom , plant maturate 18 to 24 inches and are hardy in zone 8 to 11 .
Rhizomes are available at Eden Brothers .
Flame
Aptly key , ‘ Flame ’ is a luscious cultivar with enceinte trumpet - shaped spathe in fulgent , fiery shades of red , orange , and jaundiced beautifully display by the dark green , freckled arrowhead foliage .
‘ Flame ’
A salient specimen industrial plant for island beds , borders , and terrace good deal , plants maturate 18 to 22 inches and are hardy in zone 8 to 11 .
rootstock are available from Eden Brothers .
Purple
This over-embellished cultivar produces beautiful spathes of deep aubergine with a emollient to gold spadix that ’s handsomely set in dreary green , sword - similar foliage with light detection .
Dark and grand , purple callas pair beautifully with blooms in contrasting opposite people of colour – opine Au , orangish , and yellows .
Purple Calla Lily
Plants grow 12 to 36 inches and are hardy in Zones 8 to 10 .
Rhizomes are available at Nature Hills Nursery .
Red
This red cultivar has bold and shiny spathes of cherry crimson with a creamy throat and white spadix . The strappy , obscure green foliage is lightly freckled .
Red Calla Lily
An heart - catching standout in bed , border , and containers , plants turn 12 to 36 inches and are audacious in Zones 8 to 10 .
During the growing time of year , provide plants with a monthly feeding of a balanced liquid fertilizer such as 10 - 10 - 10 NPK .
As observe above , container develop works profit from more frequent eating . A half - strength solution apply every two weeks keep foliage and prime looking their best .
Deadhead spend flowersto convert energy away from make seeds and back to the rhizomes .
To prepare for dormancy , after florescence has block up , reduce tearing and let the leafage change by reversal yellow and die back .
Lift and clean rhizomes grown as annuals , and store until the following spring .
In February or March , unobjectionable perennial bed and get feeding plants that show Modern growth with a balanced all - role fertilizer .
Perennials are chunk - forming and need to be divided every three to four years to maintain high bloom production . water parting clumps as outlined in the ascendent division subdivision above .
Winter Storage
grind up rhizome after the first frost , or when leaves have yellowed and snuff it back .
Clean lightly with a encounter and lop any remaining leafage . set aside the rhizome to heal in a warm , dry placement for about a week .
Layer them in a box or paper bag filled with slightly moistpeat mossor vermiculite and store in a coolheaded , blue , and dry position with temperature between 50 and 60 ° degree Fahrenheit .
And for more details , check our guidebook on how to protect calla lily in wintertime .
Calla lily can be propagated in a few different ways , but the easiest and most authentic method is by dividing their rhizomes .
While it ’s technically potential to grow these elegant plants from germ , the process is slow , and the results can be unpredictable — especially for hybrids , which often wo n’t grow lawful to type .
Most home gardener stick to part , which not only produces clones of the parent industrial plant but also helps rejuvenate overcrowded clumps .
Find more propagation bakshis here .
With the right conditions , callas are broadly speaking robust and intelligent . But there are a few problems to watch for .
Pests
Aphids are black , green , peach , or red - colored sapsuckers that feed on the bottom of leaves and stems , spreading disease as they go from industrial plant to implant .
Control aphidswith a inviolable bang of water from the garden hose . Or present friendly predator such as lacewing , lady beetle , and parasitic wasps .
Slugs and snails can leave large holes or notches in the leafage or eat total leaves .
Handpick slugs and snails and dispose of them . Or habituate traps throughout the garden – which you could scan about in our guide to thebest raw method to protect your garden from slugs and snails .
wanderer mitesandwhitefliesare also sapsuckers that cause foliage legal injury and yellowing , and they may circularise disease as they move from plant to implant .
Hot Pepper Wax Insect Repellent
A hot white pepper wax atomiser is an in force natural insecticide for treating spider mite and whitefly infestations – thecapsaicin in hot peppersis what does them in . Hot Pepper Wax insect repellent isavailable at Amazon .
Disease
Bacterial soft rot infect rootstock below the surface of the land and enters through any lesion .
When imbed , take care not to nick or hurt rhizome . If rhizomes are injured , or abbreviate for generation , sprinkle exposed surfaces with bulb pulverisation or a general fungicide such as garden sulphur .
Botrytis or gray clay sculpture shape a greyish , blurry Master of Arts in Teaching on leaves , petals , and stem in nerveless , plastered atmospheric condition . dispatch and dispose of any infected plants .
Also , avoid overhead watering or watering in the evening , and check plants have good air circulation .
Powdery mildewforms a fuzzy white or gray mat on parting , petals , and stem and loves warm , humid circumstance .
Remove and dispose of any septic parts , clear rubble from the soil around plant , and ascertain adequate air circulation .
rootage guff is induce by a variety of pathogens in the soil that cause roots to give way and moulder . Remove and dispose of septic plants , and avoid planting any arums in the same smudge for several years .
Also , ensure that plants are growing in soil with splendid drain , and that base are n’t drown in stand up water .
Wilting works ?
If you find that your genus Calla lilies are drooping , habituate this scout to troubleshootthe problem .
With their glorious reach of long - lasting colors and lovely foliage , Maria Meneghini Callas make a great alternative for the front or eye of layer , borders , and island .
expend them as a standalone specimen or mix them in with other flowering perennials .
They ’re also an excellent improver to containers or patio pots , and can be used on their own or underplanted with annuals .
And do n’t forgetthe cut garden ! just outstanding in bouquets and vases , if you enjoy floral arrangements , plant plenty for prune as well .
Classy Calla
Refined sophistication , gorgeous colors , lovely all - season foliation , and low sustenance – the calla lily is classy all the way !
Give your plants some afternoon shade in live areas and keep the soil consistently moist , and they ’ll reward you with week of blooming stunner .
And think to raise the cold - tender rootstalk for winter warehousing , then replant in the spring .
For more know - how on summertime bloom bulbs and rootstalk , tot up these articles to your meter reading lean next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . in the first place print August 19th , 2021 . Last updated April 10th , 2025 . Product exposure via Burpee , Eden Brothers , and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Lorna Kring
