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Due to calla lily meaning “ magnificent stunner ” in the lyric of flowers , as well as its associations with purity and fidelity , its chalicelike spathe have become popular in marriage ceremony bouquets . However , it used to be the quintessential funeral blossom , so it is suited for marrying , burial , or simply for enjoying its exquisite visual aspect .
By the agency , although calla think of “ beautiful , ” the “ lily ” in this industrial plant ’s name does n’t actually mean anything , sinceZantedeschiais a penis of the aroid household of tuberous plant alternatively . Though not difficult , calla lily care can be dodgy since caring for the classic white specie is much unlike from maintaining the more colorful loan-blend .
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Growing Calla Lilies at a Glance
rough-cut Name : Calla lilyScientific Name : Zantedeschia spp . Hardiness Zone : USDA 7 to 11Soil : Wet ( Z. aethiopica ) or well draining ( hybrids)Light : Full or partial sunWater : Medium ( hybrid ) to high ( Z.aethiopica)Food : Organic bulb fertilizerPropagation : class of rhizomes , seedsSafety : Toxic
Calla Lily Characteristics
The common white arum lily , Zantedeschia aethiopica , grows up to 3 feet improbable with arrow - shaped leafage and whitened “ flowers ” up to 8 inches in length produce from spring through autumn . Those are actually leaf spathes , the tiny blooms on their yellow spadix being the true flower . Native to the valleys of South Africa , this industrial plant likes boggy soil and can remain evergreen yr - round , ask no period of quiescence to flower .
However , colourful calla hybrids come from mountainous coinage that choose more well - draining circumstance . Similar in sort toZ. aethiopicabut with smaller spathes in a wider array of hues , the plants vary between 1 and 3 feet in height .
Colorful Maria Callas bloom in late spring and other summer inzones where they are hardy : USDA zones 8 to 11 and , if mulched , geographical zone 7 . When plant after the last springtime frost , they flower in late summer and require a quiescency menses before they will bloom again .
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Recommended Calla Lily Varieties
Planting Calla Lilies
When you should plant calla lily bulbs will count on whether you are growing them in the South or in the North .
When is the best time to plant calla lilies?
Start calla lily rootstalk in spring in most zone . In USDA geographical zone 8 through 11 where they are hardy , you’re able to institute them in fall a month before the mean Robert Lee Frost . In colder zona , engraft them in springafter all peril of frost has passed and when soil temperatures are 65 academic degree Fahrenheit or warmer for best results . If your season is shortsighted , taste begin the rhizomes in containers and leaving them indoors for about a month before you design to place them in the garden .
If you care to squeeze calla hybrids for winter peak , keep in idea that they require 2 to 3 months to mature enough to flower . For instance , if you want them for Valentine ’s Day , plant them in mid - November in hot zona . uprise calla lily year - round in a container .
Where can calla lilies grow?
ForZantedeschia aethiopicaor its cultivar , choose a location where the grime is always dampish or even sloshed . This species will rise at the border of garden pool in up to 1 foot of pee . For more colorful Zantedeschia aethiopica hybrid , select a locating with fertile , well - draining , slightly acidic soil . Callas can flourish in full sun in northern zona but should have morning sunshine and good afternoon shade in southern ones .
How do you plant calla lilies?
If you intend to apply organic fertilizer to the rhizomes , place it beneath them in the hole just before you dress them in place .
Can you grow calla lilies in containers?
Hybrid arum lily lilies also fare well in container alfresco during summer and sometimes are offered in kit for forcing indoors during wintertime . They can be spaced a little nearer in container than in a garden layer . Plant only one large rootstalk or three littler ones in a 6- to 8 - column inch container . A 10- to 12 - inch toilet can control three large rhizomes . Cover them with 2 column inch of soil . Whether in a container or the ground , calla lily normally blossom for at least 6 weeks .
Watering Calla Lilies
genus Calla lily like damp to wet term , including those find at the bound ofgarden pond , and their grime should never be grant to dry out . For the more brightly hued hybrids , the stain should be prevent evenly moist but not miry , since too much water can rot the rhizomes . For hybrids embed in containers , bit by bit allow the territory to dry out once the lilies ’ foliage begins to die back into dormancy .
Fertilizing Calla Lilies
course calla lily rootstalk planted in the soil with an constituent electric light plant food such as 3 - 5 - 3 at the rate recommend on the package or about 1 British pound for every 15 square feet of filth . disperse the fertilizer over the soil beneath the rootstalk when you implant them . In subsequent years , where the lilies are hardy , give the fertiliser to the surface of the soil after the works wind up blooming in autumn . For potted bulbs , use a heaping ½ tablespoon per plant .
Pruning Calla Lilies
Zantedeschia aethiopicacan originate leggy during the summertime and does n’t have the typical dormant menstruum . Therefore , inThe Unexpected Houseplant , author Tovah Martin suggests that you cut all of the plant ’s foliage back in autumn if you specify to take it indoors for the winter . It should begin to grow again almost at once . Zantedeschiahybrids do n’t require pruning , though you will want todeadhead fleet flowersto keep the flora blossom and remove dead foliage after the plants go dormant .
Propagating Calla Lilies
In zones where calla lily are hardy , divide and replant their rootstock in autumn , space them as described under “ Planting Calla Lilies ” above .
You also can propagatezantedeschiaspecies from seed , but hybrids wo n’t come true that way . Soak the calla lily seeds for 24 hours before sowing them ¼ to ½ inch deeply in damp and unimaginative seed starting mix . If you keep them at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit , they can germinate within 4 or 5 days , but it may take up to 3 month to do so . seedling usually require 2 to 3 year to farm big enough to bloom .
Safety Considerations
All part of this plant , admit the calla lily flower , contain calcium oxalate , which induces burning — and sometimes swelling — in the mouths of people and creature when deplete . concord to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animate being , it also can cause “ excessive drooling , disgorgement , and difficulty get down . ” Poison Control notes that “ although lifespan - threatening symptoms are rare , severe irritation of the throat and tongue can leave in swelling , which then threaten to occlude the windpipe . ”
The plant ’s sap also may irritate your skin or burn if it get in your eyes . fatigue gloves when you stand for to prune it , and void touching your center during that time .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Although cervid reportedly do n’t manage for calla lily , squirrels and field mouse may dig up the rootstalk , though whether those plague actually will keep on to chow down once they “ feel the burn ” of atomic number 20 oxalate is anybody ’s surmise . To prevent the depredations of such rodents , you could insert the rhizome in incandescent lamp John Milton Cage Jr. or describe your planting holes with paw - pricking crushed gravel or chicken grit . localize another bed over the top of the soil to further pests to count for easier eats .
Overwintering Calla Lilies
If you know where hybrid calla lilies are n’t unfearing , you will want to keep their rhizomes dormant indoors over winter so you’re able to replant them in spring . SinceZantedeschia aethiopicadoesn’t go hibernating , you will need to keep it indoors as a houseplant during the winter months .
When is the best time to bring calla lilies indoors?
For genus Calla hybrid , wait to fag the rootstalk until after hoarfrost has induce their foliage to cash in one’s chips back to primer spirit level . fetch a pottedZantedeschia aethiopicaplant indoors before your first frost in autumn , point it in a bright , cool location with a temperature between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit .
How do you overwinter calla lilies?
To protect calla lily from freezing , gardener who live in zones where the plant are n’t hardy should travail up and store their rhizomes over the winter .
Looking for more bouquet flush ? see out our guides on growingdahlia , gerbera , andzinnia .
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