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Zantedeschia (Calla Lily)

Calla Lily, Arum Lily

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Native to South Africa, Zantedeschia lilies have become popular garden or household plants. Mainly grown for their magnificent, chalice-shaped flowers (spathe) surrounding a yellow finger-like stalk (spadix), and their arrow-shaped, spotted leaves, they are not true lilies but are arum (Jack-in-the-pulpit) family members. Whether used in borders, containers, or as cut flowers, they always provide a spectacular effect with their rich, cheerful colors.

What to know about Zantedeschia Lilies

  • Zantedeschia species are rhizomatous, herbaceous, perennial plants coming from swampy regions of eastern or Southern Africa.
  • Zantedeschia lilies last for many years. Most go dormant in the fall and come back in the spring.
  • Zantedeschia lilies bloom from 6 to 12 weeks in late spring and throughout the summer, depending on geographic location and calla lily variety.
  • Zantedeschia lilies do not all bloom at the same time. There are early-season, mid-season, and late-season calla lilies. You can enjoy calla lily flowers from spring through the first frost by choosing the right variety to plant.
  • One Zantedeschia bulb-like rhizome can produce up to six flowers during its flowering season.
  • Easy to grow, Zantedeschia lilies thrive in full sun to part shade. Full sun is best in cool summer areas, but partial shade is preferred in hot summer areas.
  • Zantedeschia lilies perform best in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils. Consistent moisture is essential.
  • Zantedeschia Lilies are well-suited for beds and borders, cutting gardens, pots, planters, and containers. Some are well-suited for bog gardens, rain gardens, and plantings near ponds and streams.
  • Zantedeschia can suffer from cold damage but are otherwise fairly trouble-free.
  • Zantedeschia are poisonous. All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested. They are also toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The sap may irritate skin and eyes.
  • Zantedeschia lilies spread underground by multiplying and creating new bulb-like rhizomes. White calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) is considered invasive in California, Australia and New Zealand.
  • The best time to plant Zantedeschia lilies is spring. They may be started indoors as early as a month before the average last frost date (for earlier blooms) or planted directly in the ground after the danger of frost has passed.

Guide Information

Hardiness 7 - 10
Heat Zones 4 - 10
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Zantedeschia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Hardy Zantedeschia (Zantedeschia aethiopica) or Arum Lilies

  • Arum lilies generally display pure white flowers and a lush foliage of glossy arrow-shaped leaves.
  • Arum lilies can grow up to 3 ft. tall and wide (90 cm).
  • Arum lilies are well-suited for bog gardens, rain gardens, and plantings near ponds and streams. Zantedeschia aethiopica can even be grown in water up to 12 in. deep (30 cm).
  • Arum lilies can survive in hardiness zones 7 or 8. They can easily tolerate freezing temperatures. Although the foliage of these plants will die back during the winter, they will survive and emerge in the spring as if nothing had happened. However, applying ample mulch in the fall would help get these plants through winter.
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Tender Zantedeschia or Calla Lilies

  • Calla lilies feature amazing flowers in almost all the rainbow colors and generally white-speckled leaves. They are mostly hybrid cultivars of Zantedeschia elliotiana (golden yellow), Zantedeschia rehmannii (pink), Zantedeschia albomaculata (white), Zantedeschia jucunda.
  • Calla lilies range from pure white to a deep dark purple verging on black. In between are the colors typical of a sizzling summer: from golden yellow to all the colors in a dazzling sunset, such as deep orange, burgundy red, or even hot pink!
  • Calla lily flowers attract so much attention that you could almost ignore their leaves. However, this would be a shame since some of them feature unique speckled leaves. They look as if someone blithely spattered a paintbrush full of white paint over them.
  • Calla lilies usually grow up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 30 in. wide (75 cm).
  • Being tender, Calla lilies are often grown as houseplants. However, they are also well-suited for beds and borders or patio containers.
  • Calla lilies make excellent cut flowers and have one of the longest vase life among cut flowers (up to 2 weeks). They are gorgeous in wedding bouquets and fresh floral arrangements.
  • If you’d like to pick a flower to put in a vase, remember not to cut it with a knife. Instead, carefully pull the flower stem out of the plant.
  • Calla lilies need well-drained soils and less water than Arum lilies.
  • Calla Lilies are generally hardy in zones 8-10. In cooler climates (zones 3-7), the bulb-like rhizomes are usually treated as annuals. However, if you want to save your rhizomes for next spring, you may dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next spring. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
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Garden Design with Zantedeschia

Zantedeschia flowers are a popular choice in many types of gardens due to their striking, unusual flowers and attractive, arrow-shaped foliage. Here are some ideas for designing a garden with Zantedeschia:

Focal Point: With their dramatic, sculptural flowers, Zantedeschia can serve as an excellent focal point in a garden. Use them in the center of a circular bed, or plant them in large groups in a border to draw the eye.

Container Planting: Zantedeschia are excellent plants for container gardens. They add height and an exotic touch to a collection of potted plants. Use them as the ‘thriller’ in the classic ‘thriller, filler, spiller’ container design.

Waterside Planting: As Zantedeschia enjoys moist soil, they are a great choice for planting near a pond or in a bog garden. This will also help to accentuate their lush, tropical look.

Mixed Borders: Combine Zantedeschia with plants that complement their bold flowers and elegant foliage. Consider partnering them with low-growing, bushy plants like geraniums or with tall, slender plants like irises. You could also try pairing them with plants with contrasting foliage, like ferns or hostas, for a more dramatic look.

Cut Flower Garden: If you enjoy having fresh flowers in your home, consider planting a section of your garden with Zantedeschia. They make excellent cut flowers, and their blooms last a long time in a vase.

Tropical-Themed Gardens: Zantedeschia fits perfectly in a tropical-themed garden, with other bold and lush plants such as cannas, bananas, and elephant ears.

Remember that Zantedeschia comes in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, and deep purple, so you can choose the one that best suits your garden’s color scheme.

Companion Plants

Zantedeschia are versatile plants that can be paired with a variety of companion plants. Here are some suggestions:

Hostas: The broad, lush foliage of hostas can provide a nice contrast to the elegant flowers and slender leaves of Zantedeschia. Hostas also prefer similar conditions of shade to part shade.

Ferns: Ferns can provide a nice textural contrast with the smoother, more sculptural look of Zantedeschia. They also appreciate the same moist conditions.

Irises: Irises can complement the Zantedeschia with their similar sword-like foliage and striking blooms. Their preference for moist soil also makes them good companions.

Astilbe: The feathery plumes of astilbe flowers provide a contrast to the sleek, streamlined blooms of Zantedeschia.

Grasses: Ornamental grasses can offer a textural contrast and their swaying habit can add movement to a planting scheme with Zantedeschia.

Heuchera: With their colorful foliage, heucheras can complement the bold flowers of Zantedeschia and extend interest in the garden when the lilies are not in bloom.

Water-loving plants: Since Zantedeschia enjoy moist conditions, they pair well with other moisture-loving plants like marsh marigolds, Louisiana irises, and primroses.

As always, when selecting companion plants, consider their light, soil, and water needs to ensure they are compatible.

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 7 - 10
Heat Zones 4 - 10
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Zantedeschia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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