Zantedeschia
( zan - ted - DESH - ee - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationZantedeschia, commonly called Calla Lily, is a genus of flowering plants that grow from rhizome. Exposure and water needs vary depending on the species grown; see descriptions below for more information. These flowers are native to South Africa, and form clumps of green foliage, sometimes with small translucent fenestrations. The showy part of this flower is actually the bract (called a spathe), which surrounds the central spike, or spadix, of true flowers. Take care when planting Calla Lily in the garden, as all plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
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Zantedeschia Species and Varietals
The genus Zantedeschia is a member of the plant family Araceae and includes just eight species. Calla Lily grows well in zones 5, 6, 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Zantedeschia aethiopica (Common Calla, Giant White Arum Lily) This plant reaches 2-4 feet tall and has green foliage and white to cream spathes that appear in springtime. They are held just above the foliage. Varieties include 'Green Goddess' (white spathes that are tipped green), 'Hercules' (large spathes open flat and recurve), and 'Childsiana' (a compact variety that reaches just a foot tall). |
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Zantedeschia albomaculata (Spotted Calla Lily, Spotted Arum Lily) This species reaches up to 2 feet tall when mature and in bloom and has bright green leaves freckled with light, translucent windows. Creamy yellow to white spathes have a red blotch at the base, and appear spring through summertime. This species is native to tropical African wetland areas. |
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Zantedeschia elliottiana (Golden Calla, Yellow Arum Lily, Golden Arum Lily) Reaches 2 feet tall with bright green foliage that has light, translucent windows. Spathes are greenish yellow when new, and mature to golden yellow. Blooms in summertime and is great in heat and full sun conditions. |
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Zantedeschia spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Calla Lily, Hybrid Arum Lily)
Blooms in late spring and summertime appear on this plant that reaches 1.5-2 feet tall. Foliage is typically unmarked, though some varieties have windows in the foliage. Spathe colors can be cream, buff, orange, or shades of pink and purple.
Blooms in late spring and summertime appear on this plant that reaches 1.5-2 feet tall. Foliage is typically unmarked, though some varieties have windows in the foliage. Spathe colors can be cream, buff, orange, or shades of pink and purple.
'Acapulco Gold'
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'California Garnet Glow'
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'California Ice Dancer'
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'Cantor'
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'Edge of Night'
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'Frozen Queen'
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'Fire Dancer'
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'Galaxy'
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'Golden Sun'
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'Lavender Petite'
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'Morning Sun'
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'Odessa'
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'Picasso'
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'Pink Melody'
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'Pink Persuasion'
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'Red Alert'
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'Sunshine'
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'Whipped Cream'
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Zantedeschia pentlandii (Sekhukhune Golden Arum) Foliage is usually unspotted, and spathes are a deep golden with purple throats. Blooms in summertime. The plant reaches about 2 feet tall. Leaves are arrow-shaped. These plants typically are found growing in grasslands and open woodland spaces. |
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Zantedeschia rehmanii (Red or Pink Calla, Pink Arum Lily, Red Calla Lily) Foliage is unspotted in this species, and spathes are pink or rosy pink, appearing in the middle of springtime. The plant reaches 1.5-2 feet tall. Variety 'Superba' has dark pink spathes. |
Caring for Zantedeschia
Calla lilies can be purchased as bare roots or as specimens from a reputable nursery. These popular garden ornamentals should be set 2 inches deep and 8-12 inches apart for best coverage and airflow. They appreciate full sun, though they like some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. 6-8 hours of mostly morning sun is perfect for these flowers. Ensure soil is well-draining, rich in organic material, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, they like to have consistently moist soil. As a general rule of thumb, water every time the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Withhold irrigation during their dormancy. A notable exception is Common Calla (Zantedeschia aethiopica), which likes partial shade. These lilies are also native to somewhat wetter environments, and prefer their soil to be on the wetter side, even tolerating boggy conditions well.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance. Note that Calla Lilies do not rebloom in the same season, even if they are deadheaded. Taking off faded flowers can, however, encourage more energy storage for the next year's flower. In most cases, Callas die to the ground in fall and reappear the following springtime. After all foliage dies back, it can be taken off. Callas do not like to be dug up. However, if you live in a particularly cold climate, they may need to be dug up and stored indoors for the winter months to survive. Every few years, plants may need dividing if they are grown in a tight space or container. If plants are not performing well, it is a good indicator that they need dividing. For instructions on how to successfully divide Zantedeschia plants, see the Propagation section below.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance. Note that Calla Lilies do not rebloom in the same season, even if they are deadheaded. Taking off faded flowers can, however, encourage more energy storage for the next year's flower. In most cases, Callas die to the ground in fall and reappear the following springtime. After all foliage dies back, it can be taken off. Callas do not like to be dug up. However, if you live in a particularly cold climate, they may need to be dug up and stored indoors for the winter months to survive. Every few years, plants may need dividing if they are grown in a tight space or container. If plants are not performing well, it is a good indicator that they need dividing. For instructions on how to successfully divide Zantedeschia plants, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
Zantedeschia, or Calla Lily, can be propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Calla Lily, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Zantedeschia by Seed
Propagating Zantedeschia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Zantedeschia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Zantedeschia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Problems and Pests
Zantedeschia, or Calla Lily, plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Root Rot
- Leaf Spot
- Mealybugs
- Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Powdery Mildew
- Downy Mildew
Gallery
Calla Lilies can add a tropical look to mixed beds and borders, especially varieties with colorful blooms.
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Classic white Calla Lilies .
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Zantedeschia form clumps over time, and pop back up year after year in the landscape.
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Here, Calla Lilies are planted amongst a bed of Echinacea.
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There are many different flower colors to choose from when selecting a Canna Lily for the landscape.
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Calla Lilies are popular and long-lasting in arrangements and bouquets.
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Videos
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How to save seeds from Calla Lilies.
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All about growing Calla Lilies from bulb.
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Learn how to overwinter Calla Lilies.
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A quick video on Calla Lily care.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 658 - 659, Zantedeschia
