How to Grow Calla Lilies | Complete Planting Guide

Calla Lilies are the epitome of elegance and beauty!

With their sculpted, champagne flute-shaped blooms and lush, silver-speckled foliage.

Whether in a garden bed, container, or indoor setting, Calla Lilies bring sophistication and color to any space!

These versatile perennials are easy to grow and care for, offering an abundance of charm throughout their growing season.

If you're looking to elevate your garden with a touch of class, Calla Lilies are an excellent choice. Let's explore their history, symbolism, planting techniques, care tips, and how to overwinter these stunning plants.

All About Calla Lilies
Enjoying Calla Lilies In Your Landscape
How to Plant Calla Lilies: Step-by-Step Guide
Caring For Calla Lilies
Lifting and Storing Calla Lilies
Elegant, Classical, and Easy-Care!

All About Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) are herbaceous perennials native to Southern and Central Africa. A member of the Arum family, they are closely related to Caladiums and Philodendrons.

These plants are prized for their sleek, modern blooms, which are actually, modified leaves called spathes. These gracefully unfurl around a central spadix. Their spear-shaped foliage, often adorned with silver speckles, adds beauty even after the flowers fade.

Calla Lily Symbolism
Calla Lilies symbolize purity, elegance, and rebirth, making them a popular choice for weddings, floral arrangements, and memorials. Their timeless appeal transcends trends, making them a garden staple.

Enjoying Calla Lilies In Your Landscape

Calla Lilies are incredibly versatile, space-saving, and can be used in a variety of garden settings and even pots and planters!

Container Gardens
Use Calla Lilies as the 'thriller' in patio and balcony planters. Pair them with trailing plants for a dramatic effect.
Water Features
Since Callas thrive in moist soil, they're perfect for planting near ponds, streams, or water gardens.
Mixed Borders
Incorporate Callas into perennial or pollinator beds for vibrant color and texture. They also attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Formal Gardens
Plant Callas in symmetrical arrangements or use them to border shrubs and trees for a clean, polished look. They look fantastic as edging and massing.
Indoor Elegance
Grow Callas as houseplants for year-round beauty indoors. Their sculptural form complements any décor. Try forcing the rhizomes during the winter to brighten your home!
Cut Flower Bouquets
These elegant blooms are a must-have for floral design, and floral arrangements, and are widely used for boutonnieres and bridal bouquets.

How to Plant Calla Lilies: Step-by-Step Guide

Choose the Right Time
Plant Calla Lilies in the spring after the last frost or in winter if forcing them indoors.
Prepare the Soil

Calla Lilies prefer well-draining, enriched, highly-organic soil.
Amend heavy soils with compost or sand to improve drainage.

Planting the Rhizomes

Dig a hole 3-4 inches deep.
Place the rhizome horizontally with the growing tips (eyes) facing upward.
Space them 6 inches apart in garden beds or 4 inches apart in containers.

Water and Mulch

Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
Apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Sunlight Requirements
Calla Lilies thrive in full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.

Caring For Calla Lilies

Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water at the base to prevent fungal diseases. We recommend using the Finger Test to ensure you are watering correctly.
Fertilizing
Use a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
Deadheading
Remove spent blooms to redirect energy into producing new flowers. Keep the foliage intact until it yellows to make food for the rhizome.
Pruning
Trim back any yellowing leaves to maintain the plant’s neat appearance. In the fall, trim back the foliage when lifting the rhizomes.

Lifting and Storing Calla Lilies

In colder climates (zones 2-7), Calla Lilies need to be lifted in the fall before frost or cold weather dips below freezing:

Cutting Back
After the first frost, cut back the foliage to about 2 inches above the soil.
Digging Up Rhizomes
Carefully dig around the plant and lift the rhizomes from the soil.
Cleaning and Drying
Rinse off excess soil and allow the rhizomes to dry in a well-ventilated, shady area away from freezing temperatures for 1-2 weeks to prepare them for winter dormancy.
Storage

Store rhizomes in a cool, dry place (50-60°F).
Pack them in vermiculite, peat moss, or sawdust to prevent them from drying out.
Check periodically for signs of rot or mold.

Elegant, Classical, and Easy-Care!

Calla Lilies are a gardener's dream! Their low-maintenance nature, stunning blooms, and adaptability make them a must-have for any garden or home. Whether you are creating a formal outdoor display, adding drama to your patio containers, or bringing their elegance indoors, Calla Lilies deliver unmatched beauty!

Order your Calla Lilies today at NatureHills.com and experience the joy of growing these timeless treasures! With their effortless sophistication and enduring charm, they'll transform your garden into a masterpiece!

Happy Planting!

shop for calla lilies at naturehills.com

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to plant calla lily bulbs or rhizomes?

Plant calla lily rhizomes in spring after the last frost date when soil temperatures reach 60°F or higher. In zones 8-10, you can plant them directly in the ground in early to mid-spring, while gardeners in cooler zones should wait until late spring or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. For best results, plant rhizomes 2-4 inches deep with the growing points facing up in well-draining, moist soil.

How deep should I plant calla lily rhizomes, and how far apart?

Plant calla lily rhizomes 3-4 inches deep with the growing points facing up, spacing them 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth. In zones 8-10 where they're hardy, plant in early spring after the last frost date. For colder zones, start rhizomes indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date or plant directly outdoors once soil temperatures reach 65°F. Choose a location with well-draining, consistently moist soil and morning sun with afternoon shade for best results.

What type of soil is best for growing calla lilies?

Calla lilies thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0 that retains consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged. They prefer organically amended soil with good drainage, as soggy conditions can cause rhizome rot. In heavy clay soils, work in compost or plant in raised beds to improve drainage. For container growing, use a high-quality potting mix with added perlite for optimal drainage and root health.

How much sun or shade do calla lilies need, and does it vary by climate?

Calla lilies thrive in partial shade to full sun, requiring 4-6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal blooming. In hot climates (zones 9-10), provide afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch, while cooler regions (zones 7-8) can handle full sun exposure. Morning sun with afternoon protection works best in most areas. Position plants where they receive bright morning light but are shielded from intense late-day heat.

How often should I water calla lilies, and how do I avoid root rot?

Water calla lilies consistently to keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged, typically every 2-3 days during active growth in summer. These plants prefer moist conditions but require well-draining soil to prevent root rot, which occurs when bulbs sit in standing water. Plant calla lilies in soil amended with compost or perlite, and ensure containers have drainage holes. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 1-2 inches deep - water when the top inch feels dry but the soil below remains slightly damp.

What fertilizer should I use for calla lilies, and how often?

Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 every 2-3 weeks during the active growing season from spring through early fall. For container-grown calla lilies, dilute the fertilizer to half strength to prevent root burn. Stop fertilizing 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost to allow the plants to naturally prepare for dormancy. Apply fertilizer to moist soil and water thoroughly afterward to distribute nutrients evenly to the root zone.

Are calla lilies hardy in cold climates, or do I need to dig them up for winter?

Calla lilies are only hardy in USDA zones 8-10 and must be lifted before the first frost in colder climates. In zones 7 and below, dig up the rhizomes after foliage dies back naturally, typically 6-8 weeks after blooming ends. Store them in a cool, dry location at 50-60°F over winter. Plant them back outdoors after soil temperatures reach 65°F in spring.

How do I overwinter calla lilies indoors or store the rhizomes?

In zones 8 and below, lift calla lily rhizomes after the first frost when foliage yellows, then cure them in a warm, dry location for 7-10 days. Store the cleaned rhizomes in slightly damp peat moss or vermiculite at 50-55°F in a dark, well-ventilated area. Check monthly and remove any soft or rotting rhizomes to prevent spread of decay. Replant outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperatures reach 65°F.

Do calla lilies spread, and are they invasive in some areas?

Calla lilies spread gradually through underground rhizomes but are not considered invasive in most areas, as they are tender perennials that cannot survive freezing temperatures. In zones 8-10 where they can overwinter outdoors, they may naturalize and form small colonies over several years, but their spread is typically slow and manageable. In colder zones 3-7, they must be lifted and stored indoors each winter, preventing any spreading concerns. Check with your local extension office if you're in a warm climate and concerned about naturalization in your specific area.

Can I grow calla lilies in pots or containers, and what soil mix works best?

Yes, calla lilies excel in containers and make stunning "thriller" plants in patio planters. Use a well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture, as callas prefer consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil. Choose containers at least 12-14 inches wide with drainage holes to accommodate their rhizomes and prevent root rot. Pair them with trailing plants like ivy or bacopa for a dramatic layered effect in your container garden.

Complete Guide To Planting and Growing Colorful Calla Lilies