Create Your Garden

Zantedeschia aethiopica (White Calla Lily)

Calla Lily, Arum Lily, African Lily, Altar Lily, Egyptian Lily, Lily of the Nile, Richardia, Trumpet Lily, White Arum Lily, Brosimum aethiopica, Calla aethiopica

Zantedeschia aethiopica, Calla Lily, Arum Lily, African Lily, Altar Lily, Egyptian Lily, Lily of the Nile, Richardia, Trumpet Lily, White Arum Lily, White calla lilies, White flowers
Zantedeschia aethiopica, Calla Lily, Arum Lily, African Lily, Altar Lily, Egyptian Lily, Lily of the Nile, Richardia, Trumpet Lily, White Arum Lily, White calla lilies, White flowers

Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily) is a clump-forming herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial boasting magnificent, large, pure white, trumpet-shaped flowers (spathes) adorned with a yellow finger-like spadix. They stand out against the long-stalked, arrowhead-shaped, dark glossy green leaves. On display for weeks in the garden or patio from late spring to early summer. A favorite of florists thanks to its huge blooms on long strong stems. Winter hardy to USDA Zone 8, this Calla Lily may survive in Zone 7 with protection.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to partial shade in moisture-retentive soil. Thrives in full sun in cool summer areas but prefers part shade in hot summer areas. As a marginal aquatic, plant in loam in baskets in water up to 12 in. deep (30cm).
  • Spectacular effect when planted in drifts through beds and borders, bog gardens, along ponds and streams. Great for containers and exceptional as cut flowers!
  • Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested. The sap may irritate the skin and eyes.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to Southern Africa

Native to South Africa, Calla Lilies deserve a spot in the garden or at home. Whether used in borders, containers or as cut flowers, they always provide a spectacular effect with their rich, cheerful colors and their breathtaking trumpet-shaped flowers (spathe) surrounding a yellow finger-like stalk (spadix). And they are so easy to grow! With very little work needed, they will burst into bloom and add bright notes of summer color to the garden, or to your pots inside your home.

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Magnificent Calla Lilies


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow calla lilies successfully

Requirements

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 Aquatic Plants, Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Zantedeschia
Common names Calla Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early),
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
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
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Zantedeschia (Calla Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Zantedeschia ‘Montevideo’ (Calla Lily)
Zantedeschia ‘Red Alert’ (Calla Lily)
Zantedeschia elliottiana (Golden Calla Lily)
Zantedeschia albomaculata (Spotted Calla Lily)
Zantedeschia ‘Captain Chelsea’ (Calla Lily)
Zantedeschia ‘Captain Ventura’ (Calla Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Primula bulleyana (Candelabra Primrose)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Allium ‘Ambassador’ (Ornamental Onion)
Astilbe

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Why Is My Calla Lily Struggling? Common Issues and Solutions
Are Calla Lilies Poisonous to Dogs?
Are Calla Lilies Poisonous to Cats?
Pretty Calla Lily Flower Colors to Brighten Your Home and Bouquet
30 Tropical Flowers for Your Garden or as House Plants
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
26 Terrific Summer Bulbs to Grow in your Garden or Pots
Popular Flower Bulbs For Your Garden and Pots
Zantedeschia (Calla Lily)
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Magnificent Calla Lilies
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

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 Aquatic Plants, Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Zantedeschia
Common names Calla Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early),
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
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
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Zantedeschia (Calla Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Zantedeschia aethiopica (White Calla Lily) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Zantedeschia aethiopica (White Calla Lily) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone