When Should One Plant Calla Lilies?

Calla lilies, known for their elegant tubular shape and vibrant colors, are a popular addition to perennial gardens, patio containers, and cutting gardens in the summer. They bloom from 6 to 12 weeks in late spring and throughout the summer, depending on geographic location and variety. Planting calla lilies in the spring after all danger of frost has passed or when the soil has warmed up to at least 65°F, in full sun or partial shade, is recommended.

Calla lilies can be grown indoors or outdoors, with rhizomes starting indoors as early as a month before the average last frost date (for earlier blooms) or planted directly in the ground after the danger of frost has passed. For early flowering plants at Easter, plant the rhizomes in December. In colder zones, it is advisable to wait until the soil is at least 65°F. Most Calla Lily varieties are winter hardy in zones 8-10 and should be planted outdoors in the spring after the risk of frost has passed.

To grow from dormant rhizomes, buy them in winter or spring and plant 8-10 cm deep in a good, peat-free multi-purpose potting compost. They can be planted at any time and in other areas, they can be planted when temperatures rest higher than 55 degrees F. Calla lilies are summer-blooming bulbs, so they should be planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.

After the flowers have faded, allow the plant to go through a resting phase. The plant’s height, spread, and sun exposure depend on its location and climate. Calla lilies can be grown as annuals or as tender perennials, with the latter being easier to care for and come back year after year with minimal maintenance.

When should calla lilies be planted?

Calla lilies are best planted in spring after frost has passed, with colder zones requiring soil temperature of at least 65°F. If impatient, they can be started indoors a month before planting. Calla lilies are winter hardy in zones 8-10 and can be grown as annuals or stored indoors for replanting. They thrive in full sun or partial shade in warmer zones, while in cooler areas, they thrive in full sun.

Do calla lilies come back every year?

Calla lilies are perennial plants that bloom in zones 8-10. However, they require additional care in cooler zones to withstand winter frosts. Some horticulturists cultivate them as annuals, allowing them to flourish for a single season before they wither and die.

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 do you save calla lilies for next year?

Calla lilies are easy to grow but can face common problems, pests, and diseases. To ensure their health and vibrant growth, it is essential to keep them indoors, dry, and frost-free. Allow the rhizomes to dormancy over winter with minimal water, ideally in the dark. Increase watering in spring when shoots appear but never let them stand in water.

Propagating calla lily can be done by cutting dormant rhizomes into sections with visible buds and planting them indoors in containers filled with multi-purpose compost. Water sparingly until the shoots emerge and regularly until well established before planting outside. Seeds can be collected in the fall and stored over winter before sowing in spring. Seedlings should emerge after a few weeks but not before two or three years.

In summary, calla lilies are easy to grow but can face common problems, pests, and diseases. Being aware of these issues and knowing how to address them can help ensure their health and vibrant growth.

Can calla lilies live indoors year round?

Calla lily can be grown indoors or outdoors, either alone or in combination with other plants. It can be placed on a patio or deck for close-up viewing, near a bright window in a living room or kitchen, or in a tall vase for an elegant arrangement. Calla lilies can also be planted towards the front of a mixed border for long-lasting summer color, a semi-shaded woodland border with hostas, ferns, and astilbes, massed in a bed with groundcovers like lamium, creeping Jenny, or bugleweed, or planted on a slope with groundcovers, shrubs, and perennials for season-long color. They can also be placed along a pond, stream, or waterfall for a bold tropical display.

Can you leave calla lilies in the ground all year?

Calla lilies can be cared for after they bloom by leaving them in the ground to bloom again next summer in winter-hardy climates (zones 8-10). If flowering decreases, dig and divide the rhizomes. In cooler areas (zones 3-7), calla lilies are treated as annuals with new bulbs planted each spring or overwintered indoors. To save energy for next year’s flowers, fertilize the plants throughout the growing season, cut off flower stems when they fade, and continue until the foliage begins to yellow.

Do calla lilies need a lot of water?

Calla Lilies require a balance in moisture, with soil kept damp but not waterlogged. Watering should be once or twice a week, depending on the environment. Proper drainage can help mitigate risks like root rot. Calla Lilies have a bloom window of 3-8 weeks, followed by a dormancy phase with yellowing leaves. Minimizing watering and pruning yellowing leaves is recommended. If you have a green thumb for outdoor gardening, consider relocating your Calla Lily to USDA zones 8-10 or 7 or below for better survival chances.

Can calla lilies survive winter?

Calla lilies are tender perennials that require their rhizomes to be dug up in fall and stored indoors during the winter months. After a killing frost, cut off the foliage 1 to 2 inches above the soil surface. Carefully dig up the rhizomes, avoiding cutting or injuring them. Dry them in a warm, dry location for 1 to 2 weeks, then bury them in vermiculite, sawdust, or peat moss. Store them in a cool, dry location between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information on overwintering tender perennials, refer to the article on how to do so.

What do I do with calla lilies in the winter?

Calla lilies require winter care after flowering, as their leaves turn yellow and die back. Cut them down, dig up the tubers, and dry them in a greenhouse or sunny windowsill. Wrap them in newspaper and store them in a cool, dark place. For indoor-grown calla lilies, remove brown leaves and keep them at a minimum temperature of 10ºC (50ºF). Water less frequently in winter. Visit us for summer color plants.

Do calla lilies multiply?

To encourage the propagation of calla lilies, it is essential to adhere to optimal horticultural practices, including maintaining soil moisture at a level that is neither excessively moist nor soggy, providing full sunlight, and fertilizing from spring to summer. To ensure the optimal growth and health of calla lilies, it is recommended to utilize a moisture meter from Amazon for the regular monitoring of soil moisture levels.

Do calla lily bulbs multiply?

Calla lilies, like most bulbs, can be cared for by digging them up and replanting them in different locations. In tropical climates, they can be left in the ground over winter without issues. In other areas, lift the bulbs before frost, clean off excess soil, let them dry out, and store them in a dry location between 50 and 60 degrees F. Re-plant in spring after the soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.