Calla Lilies
Hi ! I live in northern Wisconsin, I would like to plant calla lily in clay pots and start them in the house in a south window ( 1 bulb per pot) Then place them outside. I have never done this. Is it possible? How soon should I see growth and how soon should I place them outside? Thank so much !
You can start the rhizomes indoors in full sun. Plant them so that the tips is just below soil level, the rough nubby side up. They sould come up in a couple of weeks. Water and keep moist but not wet. Move outdoors when night temperatures are no lower than 50 degrees. The initial blooming time can be 8-14 wks depending on variety and growing conditions. White callas (Zantedeschia aethiopica) take 11-14 wks, cooler temps and need moist soil. Colored hybrid callas (Zantedeschia hybrids) can take 8 wks to bloom, warmer temps and less moisture.
Calla lilies are summer blooming plants hardy in zone 7-10. They will not tolerate frost, if outdoors so be sure to dig them up in the fall and store them slightly moist in a cool, dry place for the winter. Calla lilies are not hardy in Wisconsin.
No related posts.
Rotting bulbs
Every attempt I have made at growing calla lilies in our garden has resulted in foul smelling rotted bulbs. We live in the coastal south and they should do well here. I have tried different locations, amended the soil, and reduced watering but to no avail. What am I doing wrong? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Fungal disease
I have calla lilies planted in a pot that gets great sun. I keep them moist and I will admit since there has been some rain in our area they have been really wet for only a couple of days. Even before we got the rain my leaves were turning yellow and the bottoms of the stalks really mushy. I would be able to pull them out of the pot with little effort and the ends were rotting and mushy. I have pics if you want to see. This is only happening in one pot. Can you tell me what is wrong? I have two pots and the other is producing great leaves and only 2 flowers. I got the flowers 2weeks ago and there are about 15 stalks left to bloom. Is this a fungus? is it a slug? Or could it be too wet? I can drill more holes in the pot. What about miracle grow? Is that a fertilizer? If not then what kind should I get and when should I use it? Thank you for your time.
I have had my Calla Lilies planted in ground for about a year now and have not experienced any problem until now. The leaves are turning yellow, some of the stems seem to be weak, and the strangest thing is that each flower is producing 2-3 short and fat yellow spikes. The flowers aren’t giving off any horrible smell – what could be the problem? Thanks for your input.
Calla Lilies. Should the “seed pods” that accumulate in the bloom be dried or can they be planted immediately ?
how to plant calla lilly seeds
My callas lily plant produces foliage, but for two years no blooms. I live in northern New Jersey and grow it indoors in a north window. This year it produced one bloom which started out white and then turned dark green with purple edges. The bloom and foliage grew too high and the bloom is drooped over. I cut it back every fall and let it rest. I have not repotted the plant since I received it (2 years). What can I do to encourage multiple new blooms and healthy growth? Why is my plant growing so high? Thank you so much.
Grow Callas in Fla.
I live in south Florida and I just bought 3 yellow calla lillies in pots. What is the best care for them? Should I keep them in pots or plant them in the ground? What do you mean by “resting”? Do all of the leaves die and then all I have is a bare pot?
I purchased a Calla Lily plant in bloom 2 weeks ago. It is a deep colored smaller variety and was grown here in Florida. It has produced several more bloom spikes indoors. Some of the older ones seemed to be drooping. I only have low level light inside so decided to place it on my front porch where it would get 2 hours of early morning sun. All the flower spikes (new and old) tightened up almost like a pencil I can barely see any color at all. The new spikes have not formed color yet. I brought it back inside where it has been for 2 days but the stamens have not re-opened.
I’m baffled,
Maureen
I live in Georgia I purchased 3 potted Lavender Calla Lilies from
the wholesale green house in Atlanta this weekend. They are blooming and are very hardy, can I plant these in a planter in doors? If so what kind and where should I place them and how should I water and feed them? Also what should I expect after they quit blooming and what do I need to do and can I keep them in the house year round as a house plant?
My calla lily bulbs are sprouting and it’s still too cold to put them outside. I have too many for pots. What do I do?
Not many flowers after storage
I live in Ct. # years ago purchased Calla Lillies for container. they bloomed that year. In the fall I removed them from the soil and stored as recomemded. The next year only 2-3 bloomed out of 15. The next year I repeated the proses and only 2-3 again bloomed. The bulbs look heathly enough. Question is what am I doing wrong for so few blooms. Thank you Amalia
Soft rot
I bought a potted Calla Lily plant at a local farmer’s market. I was told it would work in my no window, fluorescent light office… but 2 weeks later the leaves are turning yellow and oozing a clear chemical that smells like cleaning alcohol. There are two flowers on the plant that seem to be flourishing, but the smell is giving me a headache and leaving clear liquid on my desk. HELP! What am I doing wrong?
Hi, My Mom just sent me 4 huge long bulbs from northern Michigan that she bought. One bulb has 3 major big bulbs – actaully looks like 3 big bulbs attached in one. They are supposed to be red leaf Calla Lillies. I have never planted nor divided them and I have no idea. I have read many differing things online – please help. How far down and how to separate and if to separate. Thank you.
I bought a calla lily bulb & followed planting instructions as included. All I got was 2 green leaves! Once they turned brown & died, I left the pot to “rest” for many weeks & then re-potted in fresh soil. Again I now have large leaves with white spots, but no sign of flowers. Reading the above comments, I will get a balanced fertiliser, but in the meantime, would love to hear what else I can do. Or must not do! I live in a north-facing apartment, with lots of light, and the pot is a foot away from the window. Please help!
Thanks.
Flower countI have golden yellow calla lilies in a clay pot in full sun. They have started to bloom, with beautiful 15 inch stems and 4 inch flowers. I have 2 blooms on each flower. Does cutting the flowers effect the number of blooms on each plant?
I have a Calla Lily growing outside in a container. It has not flowered, but it has many green leaves. Today while watering I noticed some holes in the leaves and small black wormlike bugs on the leaves. Any ideas what they could be?
My callas have produced many blooms. Some have not opened and the stems fall over. I feed with fertilizer. Have some in morning sun and others in afternoon sun. All seem to bloom well, but some have the above problem. Some have a pod in them. Is this a seed pd from which more bulbs or cormers can grow? Also, how do I get rid of Japanese beetles?
Hi Kay
The pods on the callas are seed pod. See above comments for planting. Japanese beetles are becoming a real pest.
Fungal rot
My calla lilies were planted earlier this year got them from a nursery now that they have been in the ground many of the plants leaves are turning yellow and getting mushy is this normal before they need to go dormat? Should I try and pull them out to see if the bulb is all rotted or should I wait until all of the plants die off for the year?
I have a water garden. Early summer I bought a Water Calla. I followed the instructions and have had beautiful green leaves no flowers. Now as winter approaches I read that they can be easily wintered in house. However it doesn’t tell the process can you help? I live in RI. Thanks Frank
Divide callas
I live in north Alabama and have several colors of calla lilies in my garden. this is the fourth year they have been in the ground and they did not bloom very much so i was going to separate them. it is late Sept. when should i separate, how do i store them. also if i can do it now,can i replant them now (Sept) and them be ok for next year?
I bought a calla lily on mother’s day this year. It has done really well. I had it outside over the summer and now that it is cooler here in PA I brought it indoors. I have notices these little gnat type bug in the soil. What are they and What should I do about them? Help Me Please.
Eradicate calla
I have a bed of calla lilies that I want to clear out but they keep coming back. How do I get rid of them for good in that bed…they have taken over.
Dividing callas
I live in northern Ohio and dig up my bulbs for the winter. I had great foilage this past summer, but few blooms. The bulbs are huge. I want to divide them, but don’t know how to proceed. What do I do?
Exterminating calla lilies
I live in Ventura, CA (coastal SoCal). Our gardener sprayed our invasive calla lilies with Round-up (twice) last spring to kill them off before our yard was re-landscaped. Now they’re growing back, and in more places than ever! Round up is only killing the plants around the lilies–the lilies are doing fine. I really want the lilies gone! I think our gardener is frustrated, too…he’s avoiding us. Any suggestions–short of redoing the entire yard again?
I live in Ohio Zone 6 and I have just dug up my calla lilly bulbs. I have 2 bulbs which produced 1 purple and 1 pink flower. I am not sure how to seperate them or when. I have read this and you mention “eyes”. What exactly are those and what do they look like? I am new to gardening so I don’t really know the true terms. How would I store them? Right now, they are completely in tact in a box in my basement. I cut back the foliage although they still have a lot left. I have cleaned them up, removing the dirt. I don’t want to cut off the greens because I’m afraid to kill them. I don’t know how or where to cut. Thanks!
Store calla lily bulbs
My potted Calla is now in its dormant stage- leaves browned & I cut off all foliage. Do I need to keep the pot moist thru this period? & for how long before it need to be re-started?
Thanks!
My parents live in Southern California and have calla lilies in several locations. All seem healthy, but one bed in the front of their house does not look right. The calla lily leaves in this bed are not growing upright, they are growing sort of knarled and twisted together like a bowl of spaghetti. Do you have any idea what might be causing this and what, if anything, can be done to correct it? Thanks so much!
Fasciation
I purchased some calla lily bulbs and all bloomed beautifully. But after I cut the blooms from my pink plant the blooms and stems are coming up kind of flat, not round. One even has a bloom inside of a bloom. I feed them with miracle grow. I water accordingly. What can the problem be? Thanks.
I have a calla lily growing in my home. It has small water like dropplet on the tips of the leaves, it has no odor to it though. I was wondering what might be causing this. I also have cats and have heard that it can harm them. Please help me should I move plant outside or keep it inside. I have flowers but they are not opening.
Storing calla for winter
When my calla goes into the dormant phase during the winter months (I live in Indiana) Should I take the “bulbs” out of the dirt and store them in the open air? Would you recommend leaving them in the dirt?
I took my Calla out of storage about a month ago & began watering once every week to 10days. It has sprouted about an inch above the soil & the pot is in a shaded spot with little light in my room, with temps max at 70F. A couple quesns I have are – should I have re-potted the bulb in fresh soil? Is it too late now to re-pot? Should the pot be moved to a brighter spot, near a window perhaps? It is still too cold out (-8C at nite) to place it on my north-facing balcony. Lastly, when should I begin to fertilise it & is Miracle Gro all-purpose fertiliser adequate?
Would appreciate your advice on all the above, as I am trying to re-grow the bulb I got 2yrs ago, that has yet to see a single flower!
i have a potted calla lilly & want to put it in the ground i live in east tennessee is that warm enough to leave in the ground during winter if not what exact steps do i take to keep bulbs for next planting??i don’t have room to keep a entire plant inside especially if it’d dormant it would be an eyesore…………please help i really want to keep it….also if it already bloomed will more come back this year or any other foliage?
In an area like Northern California where callas are winter hardy, when is the best time to plant? Thanks.
I bought several Flame calla lilies this year from Lowe’s-they were beautifully blooming and beautiful white speckled leaves. Once I planted in the garden, the leaves have turned yellow and the bottom of the stems turn mushy – one leaf at a time. These are labelled blumpforming evergreen perennial, which I thought meant the leaves would stay green ‘evergreen’-year round. After reading so many of the answers above, is it possible they are dying or going dormant? If dying, I want to take Lowe’s up on their money-back guarantee. I asked at one nursery and they thought it looked like borers in the stalks, so I’ve been treating with borer medicine, but still no luck. Thanks.
I have the same problem at Karen. I purchased severl Calla lilies from Lowes.
In your answer to her above you stated that it could be some kind off bacterial/fungal disease. What would be helpful is if you told us how we can fix this problem.
With warm regards,
Annie
Hi
I bought my yellow calla lillie from Costco in At the beginning of May. It had many blooms and was thriving well. I planted it in the ground in full nice and water it daily. I am on the West Coast near Vancouver BC.
the blooms stopped opening around mid June and would go limp. The leaves are doing well still, no yellowing or turning brown as with the blooms. They’re just not opening. I just don’t understand what’s happening. Should I be cutting the blooms that are drooping and not opening?
Thanks
I have had calla lillies growing in my garden for about 5 years now. I planted a variety of colors, but only the white survived. I live in Georgia with mostly clay soil and have never dug them up. They are very dense right now and I was wondering if I should dig them up this fall and divide. If so, can I add in some of the colored ones also to add variety or will they just not grow again? Once planted, I really have not done anything to them in the way of fertilizing, and they have done very well.
Tiny black dots on stems
I’m in Northern CA East Bay region and the calla bed is mostly sunny. They were doing great until recently, similar to Kimberly’s situation.
However, at the base of the split stems are tiny black “dots” of bugs. What are these bugs and how do I get rid of them?
I’m a beginner as well and need some help. Thank you in advance!
Soft slimy spot on tuber
I was recently given a large calla lily bulb. I finally got the chance to plant the bulb. During the planting process I noticed that one side of the bulb was white and slimy and I did see small worms around it. Is this normal? What can I do to get rid of that part?
Hi,
Several months ago my mother gave me a lovely pink calla that was unwanted but doing well in her neighbor’s Napa garden. I planted in a very large pot outside on my Oakland deck (we’re both Zone 9), but the plant seemed immediately unhappy and gradually drooped, wilted, and eventually had mushy leaves (perhaps rotted from much rain) which have been gone for a month or so now.
My question: it’s now mid-February and I see lush callas in the stores- should I give up hope of this one coming back?
Thanks
Calla not showing
I had a yellow calla lily that I thought we dug up last year but I can’t remember! We live in Vancouver Canada area and have had an exceptionally mild winter. My daffodils are almost ready to bloom. I’m wondering, if in fact I didn’t dig it up, when should I start seeing signs of life if it’s going to come up?
Cold damage
My husband bought me a calla lily plant a couple of weeks ago. I have been keeping it inside because it has been cold here (coastal NC, zone 8). Well the other day I finally put it outside so that it can get enough light, I forgot about it(i’ve been sick) and when I went to get it this morning, it was all wilted. The leaves weren’t brown, but they were very mushy and fallen over. wilted basically. Could they have been affected by the cold weather? Is there anyway to bring my plant back? it was producing pretty flowers. Thank you.
Calla-excess fertilizer
i received a large floor planter of callas a few years ago as a gift.
the plant stands about 31/2 feet high.
the leaves are huge and the flowers magnificent.
it flowers every summer and occasionally i will get a flower or two in the winter.
i keep it indoors all year round and will put it outside only a few times in the summer. (its heavy)
it is in a warm sunny/shady sun porch so it gets plenty of light year round.
the problem i have is this-
the leafs are browning and drying out all around their edges.
even new leaves, as they are just growing are developing like this.
it gets plenty of water and miracle grow.
a friend suggested that they dont like miracle grow.
i’ve stopped using it for now, but it will probably be a while before i can tell if there is a difference.
i’m thinking if it is the miracle grow causing the damage, i will have to repot with new soil.
is this whats happening or is it something else?
oops.
and i’ve been fertilizing it all year round.
hopefully i can flush the soil with good results.
thank you.
I want to grow some callas in pots for my wedding, but I think I planted them too soon, is there a way to slow them down for two-three weeks? Should I just move them out of full sun?
Hi
I live in the north west UK. Want to try some calla bulbs in different colours for the summer. Want to plant them in pots What size pots and how many bulbs per pot would you recommend. Also what hardy varieties would you recommend. Many thanks
Hi! I live in Southern California. I’ve had 4 calla plants in the ground for about 5 years. They have flowered prolifically until this year. The plants die down when it gets really hot here in summer. They “poop out” in hot sun in summer, so when the plants bloom, flowers are spent, then leaves eventually turn brown and the plants die back. I remove the dried up foliage and they come back every March/April. This year, however, they are coming back smaller and stunted and one plant has only one flower. I’ve noticed tiny black bugs in the center of some flowers from time to time, but has never caused a problem. I fertilize them when they start coming back.
I have had wonderful luck with my Calla bulbs for 4 years, until now, I live in MO and the bulbs are slightly under a overhang so they don’t get ALOT of water, but this year, I noticed they hadn’t come up yet, so I started digging to see what was up, and every single one of them had turned into this HORRIBLE white Marshmellow looking stuff in the cavity where the bulb was, I mean some of the spots here a foot wide…….. Can you please tell me why AND is it safe to plant new ones here? OR should I do something to the soil??? Please help! I am so sad! lol
Sounds like I have a problem with the Erwinia bacteria you mentioned. I need more sun? I may be keeping them too wet? What do I do about the nitrogen?
I received a beautiful calla lily plant for mother’s day and it was seriously over-watered. The water is even leaking through the flowers
I have re-potted the plant and some of my lilies are looking brown and shriveled up. How do I fix this? Please help
I got a purple cala lily for my bday and I love it I was reading how to take care of it and see that it is harmfull to cats. I have a cat and now I have to plant it outside. Can I keep it in the pot? I have a sand base yard in NJ by the shore is there sonmthing else I can do? I have trimmed the yellow leaves is that good? When can I cut the lily’s and does this hurt the plant?
I’ve had hit or miss luck with callas regarding the rot issue. I’m starting to think that there’s some bacterium or fungus in my soil. What I’m most curious in knowing, is if there is some chemical application that can help treat this problem. If some nursuries are dipping the bulbs before they sell them, there must be something out there! Any advice??
Callas are susceptible to fungal pathogens when they are stressed and too wet. The bulbs are dusted or sprayed with a fungicide( eg. Kocide) or a combination of fungicide to prevent and control disease. Certain fungicides are not available to the general public. Your garden center should have a fungicide drench or dust available.
Hi
I have a white cala lilly planted in a pot indoors. The flowers are now green and the leaves have brown tips and one has turned yellow. The plant is in front of a window facing south, however because the houses are close together, there is not a lot of light. I planted the cala lilly in the pot 3 months ago today and it had blooms on it when received. It is only May, so my plant shouldn’t being going dormant, should it? I am going to try some fertilizer 19-19-19 and just use half the amount. Do you have any recommendations?
I just bought a purple calla lilie from Lowe’s andI put it in the ground beside of another one that I had already had and it blooms wonderfully every year. However this new one is not. The leaves are wilting and some are brown and have died and literally fell off of the plant. The plant still has flowers but I am concerned that it won’t make it. I line in northeast TN., and my flowers are in the shade until about 2p until 6-7p daily.
I have looked for the large white calla lilly, but have been unable to find one. (My favorite.) Is it easier to purchase a bulb than a plant?
I did find one of the colored varieties and planted it in Miracle-Gro organic potting soil, as suggested by the nursery. The potting soil provides excellent drainage. Hopefully I discovered this site soon enough, because I am certain that I have been watering too frequently. (Nurseryman said they water each day.)
In late April I purchased a beautiful (already bloomed and in a pot) Picasso Calla Lilies from Lowes. It’s supposed to be white with a deep purple center. I transplanted them in a potting urn that’s roughly 12 inches deep and has a drain hole. I potted them with Miracle Grow soil in the urn as well. They looked so beautiful. I water them mostly in the morning (sometimes at night if I don’t have time in the morning). They are kept outside and get morning sunlight. I live in Oklahoma and we have very warm weather, that tends to get humid. Well it’s the beginning of June and all the blooms are green, the leaves are turning a yellowish brown on the tips, and the bloom stems are bent over (not broken, just wilting over not holding themselves up). This potted urn of calla lilies are my first lilies to care for, and I need help! What’s happening to them and what do I need to do to keep them alive? Do I cut them down? Let it continue to wilt? Please help!
Hi my dad bought calla lilies like a week and a half ago there in a little pot, ive been trying to get information on them so they can grow healthy but I cant find anything helpful so far, i think they’re starting to die because the flowers have gotten a little brown and the yellow thing that produces pollen got black they’re also wilting a little, can you help? there still in the pot that they came in ive been watering the plant so its moist and damp not wet and ive been moving it to the sun and shady areas should i plant them already? and if i should where?in a sunny spot or in a shady one? i live in california by the way.The flowers are yellow and the leaves have white spots on them.Please help I dont want these to die like all the other plants my dad has bought.
Calla spread
and also how do you tend them they are taking over my side yard? Do you just cut them when in full bloom what about the plant itself, that thing is growing like crazy too??
I have beautiful plants 5 of them all outside, the only question I have is that once they start to die off they get all slimy and yucky looking, but then come back normal. Is that normal?
Hello
I purchased a variet bag of 12 Calla Lillies form Coscos last year. My question is that do Lillies multiply every year and how and when exactly do you divide them. they are right now in a pot on my patio and I have to say look beautiful. Im surprised because I have never done this befor but love them. They are getting a bit cramped and Im thinking of putting some them in the ground next year.
We live in Houston, TX & bought Cala Lillies for the 1st time this year in early spring. Some are in the ground and some are in pots – they have several blooms with grape like seeds in them; however, no blooms. We keep in plenty of sun. water regularly but not too much & fertilize every 2 weeks. The leaves are healthy & green, but no blooms. Any advice? Much thanks.
Thank you so much. Do I just dig them (grape looking seeds) out of the pod with a spoon or knife. Which is less likely to cause damage. Also, what do we do with seeds after digging them out?
blooms not opening
I purchased my first Cala Lilly from Lowes in May. I learned much by reading your correspondece with others. I didn’t see anything about blooms not opening. This plant has many blooms but they won’t open. They begin to brown at the tip. Am I over watering? It is still in the pot I bought it in. I am wondering if it will live through a north/central Texas winter if I plant it in a cold-protected spot under a crepe myrtle.
I purchased a yellow calla lily las year and left it in the ground through the winter. I hadn’t seen any sign of life in the spring and now here we are in July and it’s just starting to sprout up. Isn’t it awfully late for it to do anything this year? I believe I’m in a zone 9. Vancouver Canada.
I live in the Caribbean. A friend gave me some Calla lilly bulbs/tubers over a year ago. When I first planted I got many healthy leaves, but no flowers. Now I only see one set of leaves no where as big and healthy as the first set. I never got any flowers. I have them in a large pot.
What can I try to get flowers? Do you think the absence of leaves that the other bulbs have died?
Thank you,
Thank you for your suggestion. Yes I am but still no flowers.
I have planted 4 tubers in containers….all have had healthy green leaves and go about a foot high, but only one plant produced three blooms. I cut one of the flowers and let the others stay. Since it’s their first year do you think I will get any more blooms???? I am trying to grow them for my sister in laws wedding. Have not fertilized or fed yet….I have heard mixed about this. I usually use 10-10-10 in the rest of my garden.
Hi Nicole
What type of callas are you growing? The big white ones?
Hi
I live in South Florida and bought some Calla bulbs a few weeks ago. Should I plant them now or wait until next spring?
Thanks
Thank you for your advise.
I have some of my bulbs in a very large pot, and in an effort to find out if they were alive I started to dig in the areas I thought they were. I found two bulbs alive and starting to send out shoots. However I accidently damaged two others with the fork and the tops came off. Can you tell me if these bulbs will contine to live? One seemed to have gotten so much bigger than when I planted it and I am quite sorry I disturbed them. They were sending out shoots as well.
Little bloom
I have calla lillies planted in a large pot in the Indianapolis Area. They get tons of sun and are watered frequently as well as fertilized every couple of weeks. The folliage is beautiful, the leaves and stems are very healthy. I had a few flowers in the beginning of June, but now no flowers, just folliage. How do I get my Callas to bloom?
Seed pod
After the calla blooms the flower pod seems to produce what looks like many small bulbs within it self. My questions are those many small bulb looking things the new seedlings, or one entire new bulb, and can I plant those for additional callas?? If so, as I live in CT, can I store them for use next year?
Thanks
Callarookie
Thanks your responding to my question above. How should I go about preparing the area for planting the bulbs. I have some peat moss, cow manure and garden soil.
Regards