Calla Lily Care Guide for Beginners (Indoor & Outdoor)
For the little attention they require, calla lilies are tremendously rewarding plants boasting elegant, chalice-shaped flowers that dazzle in a variety of colors.
You can grow calla lily outdoors as a border plant, but also indoors in containers. In this calla lily plant care guide, I’m going to cover the essential requirements of this delightful houseplant.
As you’ll see, this isn’t a fussy plant as long as you provide it with a good location, optimal light conditions and good soil.
Calla Lily Plant Care Tips
Calla lilies make captivating cut plants and blossom as soon as 8 weeks after planting. To get the best out of your calla lily plant, follow my care tips below.
Plant Size
Calla lilies get to a maximum height of 36 inches, although most will average at around 24 inches.
The highest part of the calla lily is the flower that stands a few inches above the leaves and reaches its full height when it blooms.
As for width, the calla lily is almost as wide as it is tall, reaching a width usually between 18 to 24 inches, but it can spread even further to a full 36 inches.
Light Requirements
Depending on whether you live in cooler areas or warm areas, calla lilies can have different light requirements.
In warm areas, full sun to partial shade will be the ideal lighting conditions for calla lilies. In colder areas, calla lilies will grow best in full sun.
Indoors, calla lilies will enjoy lots of bright light, but not too much direct sunlight.
Watering
Calla lilies enjoy moist soil. Whether they’re indoors or out, you need to monitor soil moisture levels.
But moist soil does not equal soggy soil, so prevent calla lilies from sitting in water. A soil that has good drainage helps to prevent such issues.
Temperature & Humidity
Calla lilies will not tolerate temperatures that fall below 55 °F. Their ideal temperature range is between 60-80 °F.
Along moist soil, this plant also enjoys some humidity too, which aids the blooming process.
Soil Type
A potting mix that contains additives that help with soil drainage are the best for calla lilies. The soil should contain compost and organic matter to nourish the calla lily but also peat moss to aerate the soil.
Fertilizing
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks until the blooms fade away or use a basic slow-release fertilizer. Each fall, add well-rotted garden compost to enrich the soil. You can use a fertilizer designed specifically for bulbs.
Potting & Repotting
If you’re growing calla lilies indoors, you’re going to need pots with a diameter of 10-12 inches. The material of the pot is not consequential, but choose one that won’t tip over.
The pot should be tall to house the rhizomes comfortably and give the plant room to grow. It’s best to plant the rhizomes about 4 inches deep. When planting the bulbs, make sure the correct side is facing upward.
If grown in containers, calla lilies require repotting. One sign that it’s time to move your calla lily to a bigger container is visible crowding of the roots. The plant can also lose its vigor and stop flowering, which also indicates that your call lily needs repotting.
Calla Lilies Plant Propagation
Calla lilies can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes. As the plant grows and develops, it will produce clumps that are easy to remove and plant. The division is best to be done when the clumps start to decline, or every 3-5 years.
The best time to divide calla lilies is in early spring after the winter frost has gone, or in late summer after the plant has finished blooming for the year.
Different Types of Calla Lilies
Calla lilies are available in a few different varieties. Most enjoy the same environmental conditions I described in this article, with some enjoying more shade, while others are a bit more tolerant of drier conditions.
Top Calla Lily Varieties for Your Garden
Did you know that calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are not actually true lilies? Furthermore, the showy, colorful “petal” we admire is biologically a modified leaf called a spathe. The actual flowers are tiny and tightly clustered on the yellow central spike, known as the spadix!
Whether you want bold garden drama or soft, romantic borders, there is a calla lily cultivar for every aesthetic. Here are my top picks:
“Fire Dancer”
This show-stopping variety features reddish-orange, trumpet-shaped spathes and striking white-spotted leaves. For the best growth, plant “Fire Dancer” in full sun to partial shade and provide moist, well-draining soil.
“Dubai Nights”
This striking, bi-colored variety creates a guaranteed focal point. “Dubai Nights” showcases deep purple—almost black—spathes beautifully bordered by crisp, stark white edges.
“Pink Melody”
Standing on sturdy stems reaching 12 to 24 inches tall, this elegant variety boasts rosy-pink blooms. It reliably produces flowers from early summer straight through the fall.
“Acapulco Gold”
Vibrant, bright yellow flowers boldly stand out against this plant’s lush, green, arrow-shaped leaves. Like most callas, “Acapulco Gold” thrives in full sun to partial shade and loves consistently moist soil.
“California Red”
If you want eye-catching color, look no further. “California Red” produces vibrant, deep magenta blooms that instantly draw the eye and anchor any floral arrangement.
“Nightlife”
Bring some drama to your garden beds with “Nightlife.” This variety boasts deep, velvety purple spathes, making it the perfect choice for gardeners who prefer a darker, moodier color palette.
“California Ice Dancer”
This pristine variety grows on 18-inch stalks and yields elegant, creamy white flowers. Notably, its foliage grows a shade darker than most other calla lilies, creating a beautiful high-contrast look.
“Captain Fuego”
Living up to its name, “Captain Fuego” ignites the landscape with blazing red and bright yellow-orange tones. It also features heavily mottled foliage that provides visual interest even when the plant isn’t blooming.
“Dior”
For a touch of soft romance, the “Dior” calla lily delivers delicate, blush-pink blooms. It brings a refined, classic elegance to container gardens and front-of-the-border plantings.
Other varieties include the Crystal Blush, a variety that resembles the Pink Melody variant, with slightly whiter blooms, and the NightCap variety that’s similar to the Nightlife calla lily.
Whichever calla lily you choose, make sure you check its specific keeping requirements, because slight differences can exist, and they can have implications on the health of your calla lilies.
Calla Lily FAQs
Still have questions about growing calla lilies? Here are the answers to the most common issues you might encounter in your garden:
Are Calla Lilies Toxic to Pets?
Yes. The ASPCA considers calla lilies toxic to both cats and dogs. They contain high levels of insoluble calcium oxalates. If your pet eats the plant, it causes intense mouth burning and irritation. Watch out for excessive drooling, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing.
Keep these plants well out of reach of pets and small children. Additionally, the sap can irritate human skin, so always wear protective gloves when handling calla lilies.
How Do I Plant Calla Lily Rhizomes?
Plant the rhizomes (bulbs) with the “eyes” pointing up. The bottom of the rhizome is smooth and round, while the top has a circular indentation that looks like an eye.
If you plant them upside down, the shoots will struggle to reach the surface. Keep the planting depth shallow. Cover the bulbs with just 1 to 2 inches of soil.
Why Are My Calla Lily Leaves Turning Yellow?
If your rich green leaves start turning yellow, you usually have one of two problems:
- Root Rot: Overwatering causes root rot. When roots rot, they stop sending nutrients to the leaves. The leaves will yellow, turn brown, and eventually die. Always check the soil before watering to prevent soggy roots.
- Nutrient Deficiency: A lack of food will also fade your foliage. Feed your calla lilies regularly with a balanced fertilizer to keep them vibrant.
Are Calla Lilies Prone to Diseases and Pests?
Calla lilies generally require little fuss, but they can occasionally face pests or diseases. Because they love moisture and humidity, they can attract fungal and bacterial issues like root rot, crown rot, leaf spot, and blight. You can easily prevent these by keeping the soil slightly moist but never soggy.
Pests like aphids and thrips also target calla lilies. These insects cause spotted wilt (white or yellow streaks) and dasheen mosaic (a mosaic pattern on the leaves).
Follow these steps to keep your plants healthy:
- Remove diseased leaves immediately to stop infections from spreading.
- Clear away debris and weeds around the base of the plant so pests have nowhere to hide.
- Apply treatments like neem oil or a copper-based fungicide to prevent or remedy fungal outbreaks.
