Zantedeschia (zan-te-DES-kee-uh) is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant belonging to the genus Zantedeschia and the Araceae family, also known as the Arums (Jack-in-the-pulpit) family.
The genus name Zantedeschia originated from the Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi. It was given by the German botanist Kurt Sprengel in honor of the Italian botanist.
This showy perennial flower plant is native to Southern Africa, growing abundantly in swampy or mountainous regions, grasslands, rocky outcrops, marshes, or savannahs of eastern or southern Africa.
It’s also been established on all continents except Antarctica.
Zantedeschia is a beautiful flowering plant known for its very large fluted or chalice-shaped flowers with arrow-shaped leaves adorned with spots.
It goes by several common names, such as:
- Cally lily
- Arum lily
Even though Zantedeschia is usually called Cally lily, it’s not a true lily. Instead, it’s part of the arum family and closely related to Jack-in-the-pulpit family members.
About 8 Zantedeschia species and numerous cultivars of Calla lily exist.
The 8 Zantedeschia species are:
- Zantedeschia aethiopica – white to pink spathe flowers
- Zantedeschia albomaculata – white to pale yellow or coral pink spathe flowers
- Zantedeschia elliottiana – gold-yellow spathe flowers
- Zantedeschia jucunda – gold-yellow spathe flowers
- Zantedeschia pentlandii – lemon to chrome yellow spathe flowers
- Zantedeschia rehmannii – whitish pink or maroon spathe flowers
- Zantedeschia odorata – white spathe flowers
- Zantedeschia valida – cream-colored spathe flowers
Some of the cultivars or varieties of Zantedeschia are:
- ‘Aethiopica’
- ‘Ailanthoides’
- ‘Captain Romance’
- ‘Galaxy’
- ‘Garnet Glow’
- ‘Ice Dancer’
- ‘Lavender Petite’
- ‘Pink Persuasion’
Quick Facts On Zantedeschia
- Family: Araceae
- Light: Full Sun or partial shade; dappled sunlight
- Temperature: 72° to 77° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Regular watering with lukewarm water
- Fertilizer: Liquid tomato fertilizer
- Propagation: Seeds or dividing rhizomes
- Common Problems: bacterial soft rot, leaf spot disease, powdery mildew, botrytis, rust, southern blight
Zantedeschia Care
How Big Does Zantedeschia Grow?
Zantedeschia is a fast-growing bulb perennial, typically reaching 1′ to 3′ feet tall with a spread of 1′ to 2′ feet wide.
It takes about 2 years for a calla lily to reach maturity.
When Does Zantedeschia Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Zantedeschias are magnificent and exotic-looking perennial flowering plants that feature largely fluted, scrolled, or chalice-shaped flowers with a yellow finger-like spadix in the center.
These yellow finger-like spadix inflorescences are fleshy spikes carrying true tiny flowers.
The large, showy flowers come in various colors, from pure white to gold or yellow, orange, green, pink, red or burgundy, and rich purple or lavender.
Each flower stands on long, upright stems splashed with irregular white spots above clumps of lush foliage.
The foliage of Zantedeschias features large, arrow-shaped leaves with translucent flecks.
When grown successfully, Zantedeschias can develop 3 to 5 flower stalks.
When pollinated, these lovely plants develop orange or red berries.
Expect to witness Calla lily blooming with a faint fragrance from late spring to early summer (May to August), providing a striking and exotic display that is long-lasting in your garden.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Since Zantedeschias are native to regions of South Africa, they thrive in full sun or partial shade locations but may also grow well in dappled sunlight.
They also love consistently warm, moist, and sheltered conditions.
Calla lilies need 6 hours or more of direct sunlight daily for the full sun, and this is best done in cool summer areas.
On the other hand, they need only about 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight for only part of the day when planted in partial shade areas.
For dappled sunlight, calla lilies need shade all day through the upper canopy.
The ideal temperature of calla lilies during their growing season is about 72° to 77° degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature should be maintained at about 42° to 47° degrees Fahrenheit in winter.
In spring, Zantedeschias need a temperature of about 60° to 65° degrees Fahrenheit to thrive.
Moreover, some Zantedeschias species are hardy, while others are tender. They grow best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 to 10.
Tender zantedeschias must be grown indoors before the first frosts, as they won’t survive temperatures below 41˚ degrees Fahrenheit and suffer cold damage.
They should also be kept indoors until after the spring’s last frost.
Both hardy and tender calla lilies won’t tolerate or struggle in freezing conditions, so it’s important to give them winter protection.
In addition, Zantedeschias are deciduous plants, meaning their need to become dormant over winter, with little to no water.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Zantedeschia?
Water your Zantedeschias sparingly at the beginning but start watering regularly, preferably with lukewarm water during its active growing season.
Do this when the flowers bloom, and until the end of the flowering season.
Regular watering is needed to maintain the lush foliage.
It’s also important to remember not to overwater it, as it can cause root rot and damage the bulbs.
In addition, stop watering once the Zantedeschias reach their dormancy period.
For fertilizer application, fertilize your calla lily with high-potassium feed like liquid tomato fertilizer once every two to four weeks once flowers appear.
Continue the application for several weeks but withhold during the flowering period.
What Is The Best Soil For Zantedeschia Lily, And When Should You Transplant?
Zantedeschias love moist, well-drained soil rich in humus or any organic matter.
They also prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 8.0.
Moreover, Zantedeschia bulbs are best planted at the beginning of spring, from March to May.
Here’s how to do it:
- First, choose a location with full sun exposure but not too much.
- Next, plant the calla lily bulbs about 2″ to 4″ inches deep, and space them 12″ to 18″ inches apart.
- Once planted, water the area well.
- Keep the soil moist but do not overwater it.
In addition, the best time to transplant calla lilies is in the spring.
Does Zantedeschia Lily Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Zantedeschias are low-maintenance plants and don’t require regular pruning, but you should deadhead the withered flowers as they wilt and remove dead parts of the plant during the flowering season.
You may also cut frost-damaged foliage over winter.
Always remember to wear gloves as calla lilies have sap in them that can irritate your skin.
How To Propagate Arum Lily?
Arum lilies can be propagated through two methods, including:
- Seeds
- Division of rhizomes
For propagating arum lilies through rhizomes, here’s what you need to do:
- Use a shovel or pitchfork to cut a circle around the root, making the clumped rhizome easier to pull.
- After pulling the clumped root, brush the dirt off the rhizome and place it in a well-ventilated yet shady place for several days.
- Remember not to water it or wet a single drop of water.
- Once the rhizome has dried out, separate the rhizomes using a sharp knife. Ensure each rhizome piece has at least one eye or root.
You may start replanting the rhizomes in an organically rich garden bed or plant them in a potting container.
Or you may choose to store the arm lily rhizomes first over the winter.
For seed propagation, here are the steps to follow:
- After harvesting your arum lily seeds, spread them out in a damp paper towel and cover them.
- Place the damp paper towel in a cool place, ensuring the seeds are away from direct sunlight.
- Check the seeds now and then or after a few days for growth.
- If you notice some seeds do not show signs of life, discard them.
- After that, you may now plant the sprouted seeds in the soil or well-draining pot.
- Water them sparingly, keeping the soil moist.
Calla Lily Pests And Diseases
Calla lilies are generally trouble-free when grown in the right conditions, but they may be susceptible to pests and diseases that attack the rhizomes and leaves.
These include:
- Bacterial soft rot
- Botrytis
- Leaf spot disease
- Powdery mildew
- Rust
- Southern blight
Various pests may also be present, including:
- Aphids
- Slugs
- Spider mites
You may reduce the risk of fungal diseases by ensuring the calla lilies are spaced apart for ample air circulation.
It’s also important to not overwater them, as this can cause root rot and encourage other fungal diseases.
You may also use neem oil or mild insecticidal soap to combat these pest issues.
If you notice a brown edge on your calla lily leaves, it may indicate that your fertilizer has too much nitrogen.
And if you notice the flowers are drooping or look stunted and see yellowing leaves, it indicates your calla lily is not getting enough water.
Uses Of Calla Lily
Calla lilies are prized for their showy and exotic-looking fluted flowers, making them excellent houseplants.
They are also well-suited as decorative and accent plants for beds, borders, planters, containers, and cutting gardens, providing a spectacular display of colors.
Calla lilies are also a perfect addition to rain gardens, bog gardens, and plantings near streams and ponds since they thrive in moist and warm areas.
In addition, calla lilies make beautiful and long-lasting cut flowers, making them popular for bouquets and wedding floral arrangements.
However, it’s important to note that calla lilies are considered invasive species and are aggressive weeds in coastal California, according to the California Invasive Plant Council.
Moreover, calla lilies are highly poisonous as they contain calcium oxalate crystals that can be toxic to humans and animals like cats and dogs.
The parts of calla lily that are poisonous are the following:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Stems
- Fruits
- Bark
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
If ingested, a person or animal may experience the following effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Red, swelling, and burning of the eyes
- Swelling of mouth, tongue, and throat
- Painful swallowing
That is why it’s important to be extra careful when contacting calla lilies to prevent these kinds of accidents.