Indoor Calla Lily Cultivation Tips?

Calla lilies are a tropical beauty that require well-drained soil with enough nutrients for growth and bloom. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, but indoor care is essential for year-round enjoyment. To grow calla lilies, keep the soil moist but not soggy, provide bright, indirect light, apply liquid fertilizer monthly while in flower, and avoid heating and A/C vents.

For indoor calla lilies, place them in a sunny spot near a window or glass door. Plant tubers indoors in early spring and move the plants outside in summer.

An hour or two of direct sunlight is best for quality growth. Never situate your calla lily in a dark setting as the chance of bacterial diseases is high. Outdoors, use full sun or partial shade, and indoors, use bright indirect light unless they are used to direct sunlight.

Watering is crucial for calla lilies, as they need to be watered regularly to maintain their health and growth. In summary, calla lilies require well-drained soil, bright indirect light, and proper care to thrive indoors and outdoors.

How often should I water calla lily?

Calla lilies require a warm, moist environment between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity and moisture. They thrive in humid summers, and dormant plants in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. To overwinter, dig up rhizomes before temperatures drop below freezing in the fall. Feed calla lilies upon planting and every spring to promote flowering. Most well-balanced fertilizers work, but avoid choosing a blend with too much nitrogen, as it can reduce the plant’s flowering. It is essential to avoid overwatering calla lilies, as they will dry out sooner than ground plantings. Fertilizer should be chosen carefully to avoid reducing the plant’s flowering.

Why is my indoor calla lily dying?

Root rot in Calla lilies is a common issue due to overwatering or poor drainage, which can cause fungal infections like Phytophthora or Pythium. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, wilting, a mushy or smelly root system, and overall plant health decline. To prevent root rot, use a well-draining potting mix, water only when the top inch feels dry, and remove affected parts if found. Leaf spot diseases, such as Alternaria or bacterial soft rot, can result from fungal or bacterial infections.

Do calla lilies grow well indoors?

Calla lilies are easy to care for indoors, especially if you prefer to overwinter them. They are native to streams, ponds, and along their banks, and can thrive in wet, boggy areas or semi-aquatic specimens. To grow calla lilies indoors, they need at least 6 hours of bright indirect light per day. Full sun can cause sunburn, and insufficient light can lead to leggy growth or foliage burning. Winter temperatures in your region may also affect indoor care, as you can lift the plant from outside and overwinter it indoors. Calla lilies can also be grown as semi-aquatic specimens in areas with less wet conditions.

What does an overwatered calla lily look like?

Mushiness in Calla Lilies can be caused by overwatering, poor drainage, and fungal diseases. Overwatering can cause leaves to be limp and moist, with brown or yellow tones and swollen. Poor drainage can cause the soil to feel soggy and the plant to appear drowning. Compacted soil or pots without adequate drainage holes can exacerbate the issue. Fungal diseases, such as root rot, can manifest as moldy smells, mushy bases, black spots on leaves, or gray, fuzzy growth.

What to do with calla lilies after they bloom indoors?

Calla lilies require regular watering to maintain their lush growth. Keep compost moist but avoid over-watering. Feed calla lily with a potash-rich liquid fertilizer every three to four weeks, and remove dead stems and leaves. Continue feeding and watering for several weeks until leaves die back. Potted plants should be brought indoors before frosts and left dormant. For ground-grown calla lilies, store rhizomes in just-moist compost in a cool, frost-free place.

In late winter, repot roots into moist compost and place in a warm spot. To propagate calla lily, divide rhizomes in late winter before replanting. Calla lilies are easy to grow and mainly trouble-free.

Do calla lilies prefer sun or full sun?

Calla Lilies, native to South Africa, are tender perennial plants that grow from a bulb-like rhizome. They thrive in full sun or partial shade, with full sun being ideal for cool summer areas and partial shade for hot summers. They thrive in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils, with consistent moisture but avoiding overwatering to prevent rot. These flowers, known as chalice-shaped flowers, surround a yellow finger-like stalk. They are easy to grow, providing a spectacular effect with their rich, cheerful colors and chalice-shaped flowers.

They bloom from 6 to 12 weeks in late spring and throughout the summer, depending on location and variety. There are early-season, mid-season, and late-season calla lily varieties available. However, they are poisonous and can cause severe discomfort if ingested. To ensure the best results, choose rhizomes that are large, firm, and plump, as the size of the rhizome is highly correlated to the plant’s overall size and its blossoms.

Should I cut dead flowers off my calla lily?

Calla lily care involves maintaining consistent moisture, avoiding soil drying, and feeding them with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks until the flowers fade. After the blooms fade, remove the stems and pull out the entire stem at the base to promote new flowers. Regular deadheading encourages the lilies to focus on flower production. Calla lilies make excellent cut flowers and have a long vase life, making them perfect for wedding bouquets and fresh floral arrangements. When picking flowers for vase use, avoid cutting with a knife, instead, carefully pulling the stem out of the plant. Harvesting fully open flowers in cool mornings or evenings is recommended.

Do calla lilies grow better in pots or in the ground?

Calla lilies are suitable for houseplants, patios, or seasonal outdoor bedding displays. They should be planted under the soil surface with the rhizome’s eyes facing upwards. A loam-based compost like John Innes No. 2 or a good multi-purpose compost is suitable for pot planting. Plant one rhizome to an 8″ pot or three to a 16″ pot. Cover the pots with decorative stones if desired. Water freely during the summer months and feed with a fertilizer every two weeks.

Caring for calla lilies involves lifting them before frosts and storing them in trays of compost in a cool, dark, frost-free location. Do not overwater and ensure that the rhizomes are covered with decorative stones if desired. In most areas, the foliage will be affected by frost and slightly blackened.

How long do calla lilies last indoors?

Calla lilies typically bloom for a period of between three and eight weeks, after which they enter a dormant phase characterised by the yellowing of the leaves. It is recommended that the frequency of watering be reduced, and that any yellowing leaves be pruned. Those with a penchant for horticulture may wish to consider relocating their Calla Lily to an outdoor setting, given that it flourishes in USDA zones 8-10 as a perennial.

In regions with a zone classification of 7 or below, it is advisable to select a location with adequate shelter to enhance the likelihood of survival. To learn more about how to achieve optimal flowering, we encourage you to explore our newsletter.

Do calla lilies grow back after cutting?

Pruning Calla Lilies should be done cautiously, as they are not as generous with flowers as other plants. Only cut back withered flowers, as new ones won’t grow in their place. Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears for larger tasks, precision pruners or bonsai shears for smaller tasks. Cleanliness is crucial, especially when preventing disease spread. Remove wilted flowers and yellowing foliage below the base of the flower or leaf, wearing gloves to avoid unpleasant encounters with the plant’s sap. Remember to maintain cleanliness and hygiene when pruning Calla Lilies.