how to care calla lily plants

With their elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms and sleek, arrow-shaped leaves, calla lilies bring a touch of sophisticated beauty to any garden or indoor space. These stunning plants, which aren’t true lilies at all, are surprisingly adaptable. Whether you’re growing them in a pot on your patio or as a striking cut flower in a vase, knowing the fundamentals of how to care calla lily plants is the key to enjoying their long-lasting display. A little bit of the right attention goes a long way in keeping them healthy and vibrant.

The Perfect Environment for Your Calla Lily

Calla lilies thrive in a sweet spot of conditions. They love bright, indirect light. A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is often ideal, protecting their delicate flowers from getting scorched. When it comes to water, consistency is crucial. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. If you’re growing them in pots, ensure there are drainage holes to prevent the rhizomes (their bulb-like roots) from sitting in water, which can cause rot.

How to Care for Calla Lily Plants Through the Seasons

Your care routine will change with the calendar. During the active growing and blooming season in spring and summer, your calla lily is hungry. Feed it with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks to support those magnificent flowers. Once the blooming finishes and the leaves start to yellow in the fall, it’s a signal that the plant is entering dormancy. Stop fertilizing and reduce watering significantly.

Handling the Dormant Period

For gardeners in colder climates, calla lily rhizomes need protection from freezing temperatures. After the foliage has died back, you can carefully dig up the rhizomes. Let them dry for a day or two, then store them in a cool, dark place in a box of peat moss or vermiculite until it’s time to replant in the spring. In warmer zones, they can often be left in the ground with a protective layer of mulch.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your calla lily isn’t blooming, the most common culprits are insufficient light, a lack of fertilizer, or a need for division. Over time, crowded rhizomes can reduce flowering. After a few years, you can gently divide them when dormant. Yellowing leaves often point to overwatering, while brown leaf tips can indicate too much direct sun or a need for more humidity.

With their graceful form and lush foliage, calla lilies are a rewarding plant to grow. By providing the right balance of light, water, and seasonal care, you can ensure these elegant beauties return year after year, adding a timeless charm to your green space.