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Calla Lily Planting Guide
While they're best known as supremely long-lasting cut flowers, Calla Lilies also make fantastic container and landscape plants! Speckled foliage and gorgeous blooms add a touch of elegance wherever they go, and despite their graceful appearance, they're remarkably easy to grow! Learn everything there is to know about growing and caring for these florist-quality cut flowers with our comprehensive guide!
Success Snapshot

PLANTING
DEPTH
4"

WATER
QUANTITY
Moderate with growth

SUNLIGHT
QUANTITY
Full Sun to Partial Shade

PLANTING
PROXIMITY
8-12" Apart

BLOOM
SEASON
Late Spring through Summer

HARDINESS
ZONES
Zones 8-10
Shop Related Products

Calla Lily Aethiopica White Giant
$18.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia aethiopica 'White Giant'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Sun Club
$10.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Sun Clubยฎ'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Pillow Talk
$10.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Pillow Talk'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Pink Melody
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Pink Melody'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Tropical Sunset Collection
$34.95
Contains: 6 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Coral Passion
$10.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Peach Chiffon'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Picasso
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Picasso'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Romance Collection
$34.95
Contains: 6 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Bridal Bliss
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Bridal Bliss'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Pastel Collection
$34.95
Contains: 6 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Garnet Glow
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Garnet Glow'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Super Mac
$10.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia albomaculata 'Spotted Leaf White'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Freesias & Callas Pastel Lace Blend
$45.95
Contains: 3 white & 3 pink Calla Lily rhizomes & 15 white Freesia bulbs
Botanical Name: Freesia, Zantedeschia
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Freesias & Callas White Clouds Blend
$30.95
Contains: 3 white Calla Bridal Bliss rhizomes & 10 Freesia antique alba bulbs
Botanical Name: Freesia, Zantedeschia
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Calla Lily Bulbs Regal
$21.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Regal'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Crystal Blush
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Crystal Blush'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Odessa
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Odessa'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Tuxedo Collection
$34.95
Contains: 6 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia Tuxedo Collection
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Mint Julep
$10.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Mint Julep'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Amethyst
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Amethyst'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Burning Embers Collection
$49.95
Contains: 9 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Captain Reno
$10.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Captain Reno'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Fire Dancer
$19.95
Contains: 3 Calla rhizomes
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Fire Dancer'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Calla Lily Bulbs Rainbow Mix
$34.95
Contains: 12 Calla rhizomes, mixed colors
Botanical Name: Zantedeschia Rainbow Hybrid Mix
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Where to Plant
Calla Lilies prefer locations with rich, well-drained soil and filtered light or moderate shade. They will burn in full sun, so be mindful when choosing a spot. If you notice water puddles 5โ6 hours after a hard rain, you'll want to find another site or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to improve drainage. Calla Lilies aren't particularly fussy and will flourish near ponds and streams, but they will begin to rot in excessively soggy soil. If using containers, make sure there are adequate drainage holes and keep in mind the number of tubers you intend to plant when selecting a size.
When to Plant
Most Calla Lily varieties are winter hardy in zones 8โ10 and should be planted outdoors in the spring after the risk of frost has passed. They can also be started in autumn in indoor containers or in warmer climates a month before the average last frost date to get a jump start. Roots and top sprouts will begin forming in the fall in warmer regions, with flowers arriving in the spring and summer.
How to Plant
- For container planting, select a container with adequate drainage holes and fill it with good quality, well-draining soil. Almost any commercially available potting mix will do the trick.
- For outdoor landscape planting, select a spot with well-drained soil where your Calla Lilies will receive filtered light or moderate shade.
- Dig holes and plant the tubers shallowly (no more than 4โ deep) with the eyes facing upwards and the tops barely covered with soil or even slightly exposed.
- Water thoroughly after planting, gently soaking the soil to settle it around the tubers.
How to Grow
- Water as needed during active growth, aiming for about 1" of moisture per week.
- Leave the foliage in place after blooming has finished for the season. The leaves will gather sunlight to create food through photosynthesis, strengthening the tubers for the future.
- Allow your Callas to rest for a few months after flowering has finished before beginning the next growing cycle.
- Apply a layer of mulch, straw, or leaves around the tubers in the fall to protect them from the elements in warmer climates.
- Dig up the tubers and store them in slightly moist peat moss if youโre in a region cooler than zone 10 and would like to save them for next season.
Calla Lily Tips & Tricks
- Snip a few flowers for bouquets or other cut arrangements while in bloom. Doing so will not hurt your plants and having graceful, long-lasting blooms to bring indoors is one of the best reasons to grow Callas.
- Expect roots and top sprouts to form in the fall in warmer regions, with flowers emerging in the spring and summer.
- Amend poorly draining soil with organic material to raise the level 2โ3" and improve drainage as Callas will not thrive in waterlogged soil. Compost, finely ground bark, or composted manure all work a charm and are widely available.
- Examine your tubers and discern where the growing points, or "eyes," are located. They should be planted with the eyes facing upwards.