Calla Lily Flower

Not a true lily, this beautiful flower is available in a range of colors from pure white to pink, purple, yellow, orange and green.

It is stunning as a cut flower and can be grown in borders for bouquets and arrangements.

Calla lilies signify beauty and magnificence, and they certainly live up to that.

The plant grows up to three feet tall with arrowhead-shaped, speckled leaves and waxy, funnel-shaped flowers.

It is an easy flower to grow in the garden, requiring minimal care in planting and maintaining.

Planting and Care of Calla Lily Flowers

Warm climates with full sun to partial shade offer ideal conditions for these plants to grow.

Plant the rhizomes four inches deep and one foot apart in spring. Start them indoors late in winter so they are ready to transplant to the garden after all danger of frost.

It is not fussy about soil, as long as it remains moist, but not wet, since the plant originated in marshlands.

Feed monthly during the growing season with a bulb fertilizer and keep well watered.

Once the plant stops flowering for the season, let it rest without further fertilizing until it dies back.

Do not dig up the plants until the foliage has died back. Its dormancy period allows it to store nutrients.

After the first frost, cut back the foliage and dig up. Reduce watering and stop fertilizing during this dormant period.

In milder climates, the plant can flower year-round, with additional fertilizing to compensate for the lack of dormancy. Add a layer of mulch around the plants to prevent weeds and retain moisture in the soil.

Winter Care

In warm climates, above zone 8, you can leave the rhizomes in the ground over the winter. Mulch them well and stop watering once they die back.

If your area is very warm, it may be better to dig them up as you would in a cold zone. They may be unable to go into their dormancy period in very high temperatures, which would be detrimental to the plants ability to rejuvenate for the next season's growth.

The rhizomes should be dug up after the first frost. Gently remove any soil with your hands and leave them for a few days to dry out.

This curing process allows the rhizome to form a tough skin for winter storage.

Store them in peat moss in a cool, dry, dark area until spring, or late winter if you are starting them indoors.

Divide the bulbs when they are dug up or anytime during their dormant period.

Cut Calla Lily Flowers

This flower is beautiful in bouquets and flower arrangements. To keep your garden flowers fresh, cut a long stem at a 45-degree angle with a clean, sharp knife.

Place in a vase of room temperature water, and replace the water every other day. After a few days, cut the ends again at an angle.

Keep the vase away from sunlight and warm drafts, such as heating vents and electronic equipment. With proper care, they can last for weeks in your home.

The calla lily flower is a favorite for weddings because of its spectacular appearance.

As a garden plant, it is easy care. Growing them will provide you with beauty in your garden and beautiful arrangements for your home.