Calla Lilies are native to South Africa. Callas are not true lilies but are actually a member of the arum family and is poisonous if eaten. Calla Lilies produce elegant, upright, cup-shaped blooms on long, leafless stems. They are available in a wide range of bright colors. Their foliage is generally dark green and sword shaped with many varieties having white speckles.
Highlights
- Deer & critter resistant
- Elegant flower stems perfect for cut flowers
- Grows well in containers, garden beds and borders
- Beneficial to pollinators; attracts hummingbirds
- Fragrant blooms
Exposure:
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Blooms:
Late Spring to Summer
Height:
Grows 10-24" tall
Spacing/Depth:
Plant 4-6" apart; 3-5" deep
USDA Zones:
Grow as Perennial in zones 8-10. Grow as Annual elsewhere.
Growing Instructions
Plant Calla Lilies in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Callas prefer full sun to partially shaded locations - full sun for cooler areas. The ideal soil is rich and porous and drains well, yet still holds enough water for the roots. If your soil is heavy clay and drains slowly, or very sandy and does not hold water, add organic soil amendments like peat moss or ground bark. Spread a 3-4 inch layer of soil amendment if needed and incorporate into the soil to a depth of 10 inches. Plant rhizomes 3-5" deep and 4-6" apart. Cover with soil. When planting a large number of Callas in one bed, excavate the entire area to the recommended depth, work fertilizer into the bottom of the trench, set out rhizomes and then cover all at once. Water thoroughly at planting. While actively growing, water frequently and thoroughly so that water will reach roots. Mulch to keep the soil cool and to prevent the soil from drying out. Apply fertilizer during growing season until foliage starts to turn yellow. After frost has damaged the foliage, dig up rhizomes, dry for a few days, trim off foliage and store in barely damp peat moss at 50-60ºF during the winter. Be sure to check on them a few times to make sure they are not too moist or too dry. Replant in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Care Tip
In areas where Calla Lilies are winter hardy, divide every few years for best blooming results. After planting rhizomes, water sparingly until growth appears.