How to Plant the Calla Lily
Calla lilies aren't true lilies; they are herbaceous perennials that grow from a rhizome or tuber. Spade-shaped flowers appear in the late spring or early summer. Varieties are available in a wide variety of colors including red, yellow, white and pink, but only the white flowers are fragrant. Flowers have a single petal that curls around a center spike. The foliage has a tropical appearance with solid green or green and white, speckled leaves shaped like an inverted heart. Choose a moist location with plenty of morning light and afternoon shade for your calla lilies. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Plant callas in the spring when temperatures are reliably above 55 degrees Fahrenheit and all danger of frost has passed. Callas will stop growing if the temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Mix a 3-inch layer of organic compost into the soil before planting.
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Plant the rhizomes 4 to 6 inches deep, 1 to 2 feet apart.
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Water the planting area often; calla lilies like damp soil and can tolerate wet conditions. Planting near a water feature is ideal.
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Fertilize once a month with a balanced fertilizer such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10.
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Dig up the rhizomes before the first frost and remove excess soil. Dry in the sun for three or four days, then store them in a cool, dry place for replanting in the spring. In U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, you can leave calla lilies in the ground over the winter.
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Tips & Warnings
Calla lilies can also grow in containers. Plant 1 to 4 inches deep and keep moist.
Calla lilies are poisonous. Symptoms of calla lily toxicity include burning or swelling of the mouth and throat, redness or swelling and pain in the eyes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Use calla lilies with caution near pets and children.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
