Purple Calla Lilies: Maintenance Guidelines?

Calla lilies, native to South Africa, are a beautiful and easy-to-care plant that adds grace to perennial gardens, patio containers, and cutting gardens. They come in various colors, including white, pink, yellow, orange, rose, and maroon, and some have pretty white speckles on their leaves. To grow calla lilies, pay special attention to soil moisture, providing consistent moisture throughout the season.

Indoor calla lily care involves keeping the soil moist but not soggy, providing bright, indirect light, applying liquid fertilizer monthly while in flower, and keeping away from heating and A/C vents. Reduce watering when the plant enters dormancy (November) and cut the leaves off at soil level once they’ve died.

Light is preferred by calla lilies, and water should be provided when 50% of the soil volume is dry. Humidity is best for this plant, and provide consistent moisture during the growing season. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks until the plant gets at least 6 hours of indirect bright sunlight daily.

Purple calla lilies grow best where they can receive part or full sun throughout the day. A good rule of thumb is to water your calla lily once or twice a week, depending on the environment. Ensuring your pot has adequate drainage can mitigate risks.

In summary, calla lilies are easy to care for, requiring a sunny location, regular watering, and occasional plant food to encourage flowering.

How do you take care of a purple Calla Lily?

The Calla Lily is a species that flourishes in environments bathed in bright indirect light. However, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure can result in leaf burn. In the absence of natural light, it is recommended to utilise a grow light. The plant should be watered when approximately 50% of the soil volume is dry, and any excess water should be discarded. The plant benefits from increased humidity, therefore it is advisable to consider the use of a humidifier or to group it with other plants. The optimal temperature range for the cultivation of the calla lily is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

How often should calla lilies be watered?

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 do calla lilies cry?

Guttation is a common issue in plants, indicating over-watering. The saturated roots pressure the plant, causing it to release excess moisture and nutrients in the form of sap. Reduced watering can prevent sap release. Succulents, fruit and vegetable plants, and shrubs and flowers also experience guttation. Common examples include echeveria, jade plants, senecio, kalanchoe, monstera, dieffenbachia, ficus, philodendron, and zz plants.

Do calla lilies like to be wet or dry?

The Calla Lily plant requires moist soil, but not too wet or dry. Fertilizing is essential for flowering plants, with low-nitrogen flower food being used every two weeks, and leaves only once a month. The plant should be diluted to half the recommended strength. Room temperatures should be between 50-75°F, 10-24°C, for optimal growth, and the plant should be kept away from air conditioning vents or heating.

Are calla lilies hard to keep alive?

Calla lilies are easy to care for indoors, especially if you prefer to overwinter them. They are native to streams, ponds, or along their banks, and thrive in wet, boggy areas in the landscape. However, indoor care for calla lilies can be beneficial due to the colder winter temperatures in your region. You can lift the plant from outside and overwinter it indoors, allowing it to grow in a more comfortable environment. Calla lilies can be grown as semi-aquatic specimens, but they do not require very wet conditions for indoor care.

How can you tell if a calla lily is overwatered?

Calla lilies require a consistent supply of moisture, as they are more susceptible to adverse effects if they fail to bloom, display discoloration (yellow or brown), or exhibit signs of wilting. Furthermore, overwatering can also cause wilting, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the plants’ water intake and maintaining proper watering practices.

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.

How to encourage calla lily to bloom?

Calla lilies typically bloom eight weeks after the planting of rhizomes. It is recommended that the soil be kept moist, fertilizer be applied every two weeks, stems be removed after blooming has ceased, and mulch be used for winter protection in cooler hardiness zones.

How to care for Calla Lily indoors?

To ensure the health and longevity of your Calla Lily, choose a location with diffused light and a humidifier. Water your plant once or twice a week, depending on the environment, and ensure adequate drainage to mitigate risks like root rot. Calla Lilies have a bloom window of 3-8 weeks, and after this, their leaves will naturally turn yellow, signaling their dormancy phase. Minimize watering and prune yellowing leaves during this period.

If you have a green thumb for outdoor gardening, consider relocating your Calla Lily to a sheltered spot near buildings in USDA zones 8-10 or below for better survivability. This plant thrives as a perennial in USDA zones 8-10.

How to make calla lily bloom?

Calla lilies thrive in a sunny environment with 6 or more hours of daily sun exposure. They prefer planting depth of 3-4 inches in spring after frost has passed, in moist, nutrient-rich slow-draining soil. Mulch and compost can help maintain optimal moisture levels. The rhizome needs to be moist to prevent rot and dryness to produce. Overly high nitrogen levels can result in large green leaves with droopy stems and no blooms. If fertilizing is needed, use a nutrient-rich soil in spring and every two weeks until the blooms are complete.

What happens if calla lilies get too much sun?

Calla lilies flourish in environments illuminated by bright, indirect light, but are not conducive to growth when exposed to direct sunlight. To prevent leaf scorch, it is recommended that a source of bright, indirect light be provided in the vicinity of a south- or west-facing window. This will permit the plants to receive an adequate quantity of light without being directly exposed to the sun’s rays, thereby ensuring that their foliage remains vibrant and healthy.