Do Calla Lilies Require Pruning In The Winter?

Winter care for calla lilies in warm climates involves mulching the spot where they grow and stopping watering it for the winter. This allows the plant to go dormant and rejuvenate itself. To winterize outdoor calla lily bulbs, stop watering them after they flower. If living in freezing temperatures, cut back calla lilies by removing dead, dying, or yellowing foliage. Calla lilies can overwinter outdoors in these zones but are damaged or killed if the temperature falls below 25°F.

If gardening in areas with more than an occasional light frost (25 degrees will usually kill a calla lily), dig them up and store them indoors for the winter. As the colder months approach, calla lilies will naturally start to die back, so it’s recommended to wait until the foliage dies down completely before cutting the leaves. Regularly removing dead plant parts from your houseplant will not need pruning.

In spring, slowly prepare the calla for the rainy season by increasing the temperature to 12 or 15°C. Pruning calla lilies before frosty times helps prepare them for their dormant period, like packing them a warm blanket for their winter nap. The best time to dig calla lilies is right after the frost has killed the foliage, ensuring they have stored all their nutrients.

If you want to save your bulbs for next spring, dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next year.