Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Araceae
Botanical Name
Zantedeschia
Plant Common Name
Calla Lily
General Description
Calla lilies comprise a group of almost 30 herbaceous species that originate from the moist, lowland environments of southern and eastern Africa. All are tender tropical perennials borne from thick, tuberous rhizomes. Height and overall habit varies from species to species, but all are clump-forming. Their leaves may be upright or curve downward and are usually either lance-shaped or arrow-shaped and solid green or spotted with translucent white spots.
Callas are best known for their unique flowers that are popular cutflowers for special occasions, like weddings. All blooms have a colorful petal-like leaf, called a spathe, which wraps around a linear floral column called a spadex. Flowers may be yellow, pink, red, orange, purple or white, depending on the species, and there are hundreds of cultivars with unique color combinations. Flowering usually occurs in summer, but can also begin in spring and extend into fall. Plants may also produce blooms in winter with proper care or if greenhouse grown.
In general, calla lilies grow best in sun or light shade and moist, rich soil or potting mix. Be sure to water liberally from late spring to fall and sparingly in winter. Most are adapted to wet soils, but will tolerate average moisture.
These attractive tropicals are well-suited to bog gardens and moist, sunny beds. Plants should be container grown where not hardy. To overwinter, simply relocate the containers to a well-ventilated, cool location and refrain from watering until spring. With proper care, all can survive as evergreen perennials where hardy.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 12
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Native To
Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, South Africa
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Purple, Pink, Rose, Orange Red, Ivory
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
