Calla lilies are gracefully shaped flowers sought after for special occasion bouquets and beautiful home gardens. The blooms come in various colors, from white and pale pink to deep burgundy, with some recent hybrids in dramatic colors like bright orange and black. They are a long-lasting cut flower and are popular in wedding floral arrangements.
When growing calla lilies, plant them in the springtime. They grow moderately fast, often producing flowers by early-to-mid-summer and blooming throughout the season until early fall. Native to Africa, calla lilies grow in tropical climates but can sometimes be invasive, specifically in Australia and California1. Calla lilies are toxic to humans and pets. All parts of the plant are toxic.
How To Plant Calla Lily Bulbs
Where To Plant Calla Lily
If you wish to plant calla lily bulbs, it’s best to do so in loose, well-drained soil. Generally, these bulbs don’t require too much attention and are easy to grow, so long as they are planted properly and located appropriately.
When To Plant Calla Lily
Be sure to plant your calla lily bulbs in full sun or partial shade during the springtime. Ensure that the threat of frost has passed so that the soil is sufficiently warm before you put them into the ground. Calla lilies need to be planted quite deep, at about 10 centimeters or more, and spaced approximately one foot apart.
Once you have planted your calla lily bulbs, you need to keep the area watered well. They enjoy being moist and will perform well with a monthly dose of fertilizer throughout the rest of their growing season.
Calla Lily Care
Calla lilies are a tropical plant that grows easily outside in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10. Calla lilies will die back in summer and regrow each year, but in colder zones, plant calla lilies as an annual. Recreate this plant’s natural habitat with warmth, light, and moisture to keep this plant healthy.
They grow from a rhizome, not from a bulb, which is a key indicator that they’re not true lilies. Like other flowering plants, fertilizer encourages flower growth.
Light
True to their tropical nature, calla lilies thrive in a warm environment, including plenty of light. If you have hot and humid summer weather, your calla lilies might do better in a spot with partial shade. If you have a more temperate summer climate, your calla lilies can handle full sunlight.
Soil
A rich, moist, well-drained soil is 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, it can lead to root rot. To increase the nutritional density of your soil, amend it with organic matter before planting your flowers.
Water
Don’t water your calla lilies too heavily, especially after initially planting them. Once the rhizomes are established, you can water the plants once a week or more frequently if experiencing especially hot or drought-like conditions. Calla lily plants potted indoors will need constant moisture, as pots will dry out sooner than ground plantings.
Temperature and Humidity
Calla lilies like a fairly warm environment and temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They also enjoy a decent amount of humidity and moisture, so humid summers keep the flowers blooming just fine. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the plants enter dormancy. Dig up your rhizomes for overwintering before freezing temperatures occur. Frost can kill the plant.
Fertilizer
Calla lilies need feeding upon planting and every spring at the beginning of the growing season to promote bountiful flowering. Most well-balanced fertilizers will work just fine. Avoid choosing a blend that is nitrogen-heavy; it can reduce the plant’s flowering.
Care of Calla Lilies Over Winter
Dig up the rhizomes in autumn, usually after the first frost, and shake off any soil. Allow them to dry out for a few days before storing the rhizomes for winter. Calla lilies should be stored in peat moss and located in a cool, dry area, preferably dark, until warmer temperatures return in spring. Likewise, you can choose to start your calla lilies indoors during late winter and transplant them outside in spring. Calla lilies can also be divided when lifted or during their dormancy period.
Growing calla lilies is easy and calla lilies care is minimal at best. Choosing to grow calla lilies in the garden or as houseplants is a great way to add color to any area. These tips on growing calla lilies will help you enjoy these lovely flowers even more.