Calla Lily

Calla lilies are some of the more interesting flowers you’ll ever encounter. It’s probably why they have about as many nicknames as a certain bat-winged superhero—the best among them being pig lily, arum lily, and perhaps most appropriate due to its shape, the trumpet lily.

These hardy, frost-resistant, and beautiful calla lilies hail from South Africa and are most commonly found hanging out with frogs on the shores of a pond. Let’s just say it’s their chill space—even though they can technically grow in water alone if they have enough sunlight beating down on them (who needs soil, anyway?)

Calla lilies are also extremely fragrant and bloom from a rhizome, also known as a creeping rootstock. The rhizome is basically a horizontal underground plant stem that can generate and sprout new Callas. They are most commonly white, but calla lily colors can also come in nearly every hue and shade under the rainbow—from vibrant oranges and yellows to bewitching dark blues and purples.

But enough mucking about in the weeds, let’s get into the fun stuff. Here are seven cool calla lily facts that might just wow or teach you a thing or two. We hope it’s both!

Table of Contents

Callas are Highly Poisonous to Humans and Animals

We’ll admit, this one isn’t the most attractive fact calla lilies have up their sleeve, but, let’s be honest, nobody likes going to the doctor (or vet.) So make sure to always keep your vase of calla lilies away from children and pets.

Trust us on this one because the symptoms don’t sound exactly pleasant—diarrhea, stomach pain, intense burning sensations, and swelling of the throat, tongue, and lips. Yeah…thanks, but no thanks!

Even though they are toxic, callas are considered a delicacy in some Asian countries. The bulbs are cultivated for cooking by removing the poisonous inner flowers. Speaking of which…

Each Calla Lily Has Numerous Flowers

Yep, you heard us right. Each individual calla lily actually houses a series of flowers. The single outside petal—technically called a spathe—swoops around and protects those inner flowers in an elegant swirl shape. The yellow spike on the inside is called the spadix, and that’s where you’ll find the group of tiny flowers clustered together (#themorethemerrier).

Actually, Callas Aren’t Lilies, At All

We know what you’re thinking: “What!? It’s right there in the name?” Well, you can thank Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus for that blunder. In a lapse of judgment that would go down in history, he mistakenly recorded the flower as a member of the lily family. By the time German botanist Karl Koch corrected him, the name calla lily had already stuck, and we’ve been using it ever since. But with a little reading, you can learn the difference between the Calla and the lily.

Calla Lilies are Social Butterflies

Like your most outgoing friends, callas love a good party. In fact, they are the ultimate extroverts.

But seriously, callas grow best in groups. So if you want to plant some, place the bulbs together in a triangle or circle formation and watch them do their thing and party it up—or just grow, but you know what we mean. It’s a lot more fun imaging them throwing a rager in your garden while you’re not looking.

Callas Attract Pesky Pollen

If you somehow got your hands on a gorgeous bouquet of calla lilies, first, good on ya! We see ya, girl! But, second, you’re going to want to make absolutely sure you give them proper care and affection. Luckily, taking care of lilies is extremely simple and similar to taking care of any other flower bouquet—with one big exception.

Callas attract harmful pollen (hey, no one is perfect!) that is, if you don’t take the necessary steps to remove it as it builds up—we’re very sorry to say—will destroy your pretty little callas.

We can help you with calla lily care with some useful tips.

Calla Lilies are Rich with Symbolism and History

Ancient cultures were enamored with the charm and allure of calla lilies. The name calla itself means “beautiful” in Greek. So as you could guess, calla lilies were and are a symbol of beauty to this day.

And calla obsession extends to Roman mythology, as well. Venus, the goddess of love, sex, and beauty, felt so threatened by their beauty that she cursed the flower to decrease its appeal. The curse produced the yellow spike in the center that we mentioned before.

We might be a bit biased, but we think that trademark spike of yellow provides a pleasant contrast from the outer petal. To each their own!

Calla Lilies Have Long Fascinated the Artistic-minded

Callas didn’t stop strutting their stuff in Ancient Greece or Rome, either. In fact, artists from across the world and centuries have made calla lilies the main subject of their artwork.

Diego Rivera’s paintings made calla lilies synonymous with Mexican culture. French artist Henri Matisse painted the stunning “Calla Lilies, Irises, and Mimosas.” And, most famously, many Georgia O’Keefe paintings brilliantly depicted calla lilies and their similarities to the female anatomy.

Calla lilies were first

brought to public attention through the Royal Garden of Paris painting.

The fact that we call them by this name even though they are not true lilies is due to a simple mistake caused by an 18th-century botanist. Commonly found in all places of the world, including Asian countries, Europe, America, and Australia, the flower originated in and is native to Africa.

The beauty of calla lilies, however, is lost on some countries as they consider them a pest. They are also poisonous, and the flowers should not be touched.

Calla lilies hold a lot of spiritual significance to many people, which is one of the reasons why it is always a pleasure for people of Europe and America to see new callas bloom in their gardens. To get you started with some facts about this flower, did you know that the part that we consider to be the petal of the flower is actually a modified leaf? Keep reading to learn more facts about calla lilies!

Facts About The Calla Lily

Calla lilies are not only beautiful to look at but also have significance in many cultures. Numerous flowers arise from the same stalk, and they also make great house plants as little care is required.

White calla lilies are the most common and are a frequent sight in floral arrangements for many events.
While we do not know how calla lilies made their way to Europe, we do know the importance that they now hold in European culture.
These lilies are said to have originated in Africa, and callas have since been loved and adored in most parts of the world.
Although, it is also worth noting that callas don't have the same reputation in all parts of the world.
The fact that they can be highly poisonous to some humans and animals has inspired some parts of the world to label the calla lily as a pest.
Such places include Africa and Western Australia.
Parts of Africa, where the calla lily originated, treat the plant as a weed and pest because of its invasive nature when supplied with the correct climatic conditions.
The growing season for the plant continues from February to June.
These plants will give you more than just a single flower and will be perennial if you happen to be living in areas where the weather is warm throughout the year.
The blooms often have beautiful colors other than white, and since the potting procedure is simple, you may try to plant a few different types of callas at the same time.
They are native to Africa and the coastal regions of California.
The leaves of these flowers are heart-shaped.
Calla lilies can impart their beauty to your garden all year if given the right care. These plants tend to live long lives!

Nature Interesting facts about calla lilies

Calla lilies are one of the most beautiful flowers. This flower is not technically part of the real lily family. Instead, it’s a different type of flower with a bloom similar to other true lilies; it is a member of the Araceae group that includes the philodendron. The flower was named after the Greek word for beautiful — calla. It is associated with the Greek goddess Hera. According to the legend Zeus brought Hercules, his son from another women, to Hera, his wife, while she was asleep to drink her milk. When she woke up she pushed him away and drops of milk flew across the sky to create the milky way. The ones that fell on the ground grew into beautiful calla lilies.

However, the most common meaning for calla lilies is purity, holiness, and faithfulness. It’s commonly depicted in images of the Virgin Mary. Calla lilies are also symbols for rebirth and resurrection, tied to the resurrection of Jesus in part because they bloom around Easter and in part because they are shaped like trumpets which symbolize triumph. Calla lilies native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. It has naturalised in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, coastal California and Australia, particularly in Western Australia, where it has been classified as a toxic weed and pest.

It is not clear how they made their way to Europe, but they are depicted in an illustration from the 1664 illustration of the Royal Garden of Paris. The plant grows readily in mud or shallow water along pond edges or water courses. It is a perennial evergreen plant where rainfall and temperatures are adequate and deciduous plant where there is a dry season. It grows to 0.6 to 1 meters (2 to 3.3 feet) tall, with large clumps of broad, arrow shaped dark green leaves up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) long.

The inflorescences are large and are produced in spring, summer and autumn, with a pure white spathe up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) and a yellow spadix up to 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) long. Calla lilies are commonly white, but they also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, light blue, pink, green, orange, lavender and purple. Different color meaning options include:• Pink calla lilies symbolize appreciation and admiration**• Yellow** calla lilies symbolize gratitude.• Lavender and light blue to convey a sense of grace and refined beauty to the recipient of your gift,• Purple calla lilies symbolize charm**• Dark purple** for royalty and strength

Calla lilies are commonly white, but they also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, light blue, pink, green, orange, lavender and purple.

Different color meaning options include:• Pink calla lilies symbolize appreciation and admiration**• Yellow** calla lilies symbolize gratitude.• Lavender and light blue to convey a sense of grace and refined beauty to the recipient of your gift,• Purple calla lilies symbolize charm**• Dark purple** for royalty and strength

Most people first encounter this flower when decorating for Easter or choosing a live plant to send as a gift for the holiday. It’s also used around Christmas as well, when hothouse specimens are available.

Calla lily is the national flower of the island nation of Saint Helena, where it grows widely.

It is an important symbol of Irish republicanism and nationalism since 1926, because it is used to commemorate the dead of Easter 1916 and onward.

Eating any part of a raw calla lily can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, intense burning sensations, and swelling of the throat, tongue and lips. North Carolina State University describes the plant as highly toxic, warning that it may be fatal if eaten.

Your Guide to Planning, Planting, and Growing Calla Lilies

Calla lilies are easy to grow and add a classy look to perennial gardens, cutting gardens and container plantings. The distinctive flowers come in many beautiful colors, including classic white (a favorite for weddings), yellow, orange, pink, rose, lavender and dark maroon.

The plants have smooth, sword-like foliage that's often decorated with white freckles. Calla lily foliage looks neat and attractive all season long, both before and after the flowers bloom. Whether in the garden or in a vase, fresh calla lilies are always impressive.

Start with a Better Plant

It’s easy to see differences in quality when you compare two calla lily rhizomes side by side. Newly harvested rhizomes are graded by circumference. A large, 14/16 cm rhizome (shown at far left) will grow into a bigger plant with a more impressive display of flowers.

Plan for Success

Calla lilies are easy to grow. Here’s how to get them off to a great start.

Shade and Sun: In warm climates, calla lilies grow well in full sun or partial shade. In cooler areas they grow best in full sun.

Zone: Calla lilies are winter hardy in zones 8-10. In colder areas they can either be grown as annuals or can be dug up in the fall and stored indoors for replanting the next spring. Reference the USDA Hardiness zone map here.

When to Plant: Calla lilies should be planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. In cold climates it's best to wait until the soil has warmed to at least 65°F. For a head start, you can plant the rhizomes in pots indoors about a month before planting them into the garden.

Where to Plant Calla Lilies

Flowerbeds and Borders: Depending on the cultivar, calla lilies grow between 1 and 2 feet tall. This makes them a great choice for the front or middle of a flowerbed. The speckled foliage looks attractive all season long.

Cutting Gardens: Calla lilies are terrific cut flowers. They are easy to arrange and can last for up to two weeks in a vase. Planting callas in a cutting garden allows you to grow a wide range of different colors and have plenty of flowers for bouquets.

Containers: Calla lilies grow well in pots and planters. They can be mixed with other annuals, but usually perform better in a pot on their own. The flowers last for weeks.

How to Plant Calla Lilies

Dig a hole 3” to 4" deep.

Set the calla lily into the hole with the “eyes” (growing tips) facing up.

In the garden, you can space the rhizomes about 6” apart on center. In containers they look best planted more closely (4" on center).

Cover with soil and water lightly.

Planting Tips for Calla Lilies

Like most plants, calla lilies should be grown in well-drained soil. If you are growing them in containers, use a quality growing mix rather than garden soil.

When the rhizomes are first planted, it’s important to water sparingly. Once the plants have a few leaves, you can begin watering more generously.

What to Expect

After planting, it may take 2 weeks or more for the first calla shoots to appear. Once that happens, the plants grow quickly.

In warm climates, where calla lilies are perennial, the plants typically flower in early summer. When calla lilies are planted in the spring, flowering is usually delayed until late summer.

During the growing season, calla lilies appreciate a monthly dose of liquid fertilizer. This is especially important when they are grown in containers.

Caring for Calla Lilies After They Bloom

In warm climates where calla lilies are winter hardy (zones 8-10), the rhizomes may be left in the ground to bloom again the following summer. The plants may need to be divided every few years to keep them blooming well.

In cooler areas (zones 3-7), calla lilies are usually treated as annuals, with new bulbs planted each spring. The bulbs may be dug up and overwintered indoors, but you may not get the same results the second year.

If want to try saving your calla lilies for next year, here's what to do. Fertilize the plants throughout the growing season. Cut off the flower stems as soon as the blooms fade. Preventing the plants from setting seed will help conserve energy for next year’s flowers. Continue fertilizing until the foliage begins to yellow.

When the leaves have died back, or after the first frost, dig up the rhizomes and trim off the foliage, leaving an inch or two of stem attached. Let the rhizomes cure in a warm, dry place for several days and then put them into a box with barely damp peat moss. Store the box in a dark place at 50-60°F. Check once or twice during the winter to make sure the rhizomes are not too moist (rotting) or too dry (shriveling). Replant in spring.

BASICS

Botanical name:

Zantedeschia spp. and hybrids

Zones:

Although Z. aethiopica can be grown in Zones 8-10; hybrids are more comfortable in Zone 9 and warmer. Or treat them as annuals in colder climates.

Height/Spread:

Upright habit; 12 to 36 inches tall, 9 to 24 inches wide

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade; with bright, indirect light being ideal. Dense shade might put a damper on bud count, and scorching midday summer sun can prove equally challenging.

Bloom time:

Flower stalks begin shooting up about eight weeks after planting, and you'll be delighted by blooms for the next couple of months.

Color and characteristics:

Calla lily is an herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial grown from rhizomes. Tubular shaped flowers with pointed tips produce a long, finger-like spadix at the center. Blooms come in colors of white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, green, or black. Tall elegant stems rise above broad solid green or speckled leaves.

Are calla lilies poisonous?

Calla lilies are highly dangerous to pets and humans if any part of the plant is ingested. Sap may cause skin or eye irritation. Wear gloves and handle plants carefully. See more: Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats.

PLANTING CALLA LILIES

When to plant:

Plant your calla any time between February and June (but after danger of frost is past).

Where to plant:

Choose a sunny to partially shaded site with amended, well-drained soil.

How to plant:

Bury the tuber-like rhizomes 3 to 4 inches deep in porous soil directly in the garden or in containers.

For more on how to plant bulbs:

Bulbs 101: Planting and Storing Bulbs

CALLA LILY CARE

Temperature and humidity:

This tropical plant prefers temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees F. Calla lily thrives in humid and moist conditions and may need protection from hot afternoon sun. Plants will go dormant when temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Don’t allow rhizomes to freeze.

Soil:

Hybrids prefer a well-drained, porous soil. Sandy soils are good if you add fertilizer; clay soils can be tricky. For containers, use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix.

Watering:

Give them water when the soil is slightly dry (but don't overdose—the hybrid callas dislike soggy soil), and they're good to go.

Amendments and fertilizer:

At the time of planting, apply a slow-release fertilizer. Excessive nitrogen will encourage a bounty of leaves and long stems, squelching bud production. In a fertile soil, no further food is needed.

Deadheading:

Cut off spent blooms and remove damaged or discolored leaves to tidy up plants.

Pests and diseases:

Diseases can include bacterial soft rot, botrytis, powdery mildew, gray mold, blight, leaf spot, dasheen mosaic virus, spotted wilt, and armillaria rot. Pests can include slugs, Japanese beetles, aphids, spider mites, or thrips.

Winter care:

Before frost threatens in autumn or early winter:

Potted callas: Cut the foliage back to the ground once it yellows and bring pots indoors to a cool, dry environment to rest the rhizomes.
In-ground callas: Cut the foliage back to the ground once it yellows, dig up the rhizomes, and store them in a dry 55ºF environment.

Withhold water for eight weeks or longer before jump-starting the cycle again with light and water.

DESIGN IDEAS FOR CALLA LILIES

For borders and landscapes: Use calla lilies in mass plantings, mixed borders, and along streams or bogs.

For slopes and hillsides: Mass along a slope, by itself, or in combination with other plants.

For containers: Calla lily can be grown in a pot as an indoor houseplant, or outdoors during warmer months. Plant by itself or in combination with other plants with similar cultural needs.

There are many ways to incorporate calla lily into your home or landscape. Here’s how:

Plant in a decorative container by itself or in combination with other plants with similar needs and place on a patio or deck to enjoy the blooms up close.
Place a houseplant near a bright window in a living room or kitchen where the flowers will be regularly enjoyed.
Enjoy cut calla lily spathes in a tall, slender vase for an elegant arrangement.
Plant towards the front of a mixed border for long-lasting summer color while other perennials and shrubs go in and out of bloom.
Adorn a semi-shaded woodland border with plantings of calla lilies amidst other plants such as hostas, ferns and astilbes.
Mass calla lilies in a bed and underplant with groundcovers such as lamium, creeping Jenny or bugleweed.
Plant on a slope with groundcovers, shrubs and perennials for season-long color.
Site along a pond, stream, or waterfall with other water lovers such as gunnera, ligularia, or elephant ears for a bold tropical-looking display.

Companion plants: Plant with dahlias and gladiolus for a cutting garden that will last until frost. Other companions include creeping Jenny, New Guinea impatiens, ferns, and astilbes. For containers, plant alongside warm season annuals such as petunias, dusty miller, heliotrope, or dichondra.

INDOOR CALLA LILY CARE

If you’ve just received a potted calla lily as a gift, they make wonderful houseplants.

Here are a few tips for caring for callas indoors:

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy
Provide bright, indirect light
Apply liquid fertilizer monthly while in flower
Keep away from heating and A/C vents
Reduce watering when the plant enters dormancy (November)
Cut the leaves off at soil level once they’ve died
Allow callas to rest in a cool, dark area during dormancy
Repot annually before the growing season

Monday, June 19, 2023