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Potted Calla lily care

I received a potted Calla lily as a gift and don’t know anything about it.  I would like some information on how to care for it.

A potted Calla lily will usually bloom for 4-6 weeks. They do well in bright filtered light in the winter months and partial shade in the summer and prefer temperatures of 70-85F in summer and 60-75F in the winter/spring. Cooler temperatures will help keep the plant and flowers longer. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Wet soil can lead to a fungus rot that affects the roots and rhizome.  It is important  to allow the water to drain from the bottom of the pot.  During active growth and blooming  feed your Calla every 2-3 weeks with a well-balanced fertilizer.

When the plant  stops blooming and the leaves start to yellow and die back, reduce watering and let the soil dry. Clip off all brown foliage and store the tuber in a cool (42-45F)  spot for a resting period of 2-3 months and as long as 8-10 months.   This period is important for tuber renewal. Calla tubers can also be stored in paper bag or cardboard box in slightly moistened peat, perlite or vermiculite.  In late winter/spring, replant the tuber in pots of fresh, loose soil.  Colored callas planted in the spring will bloom in summer and then go dormant in the fall.
If you live in zone 8-10  Calla lily can also be planted outdoors and left year round.  In cooler climates they need to be dug up before frost.

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40 comments to Potted Calla lily care

  • Shannon

    I received a lovely potted calla lily for valentines day and there a few large flowers, and several little ones coming up. the large ones are drooping now (are they spent) and some (only a small portion) of the leaves are good one day and then completely drooped and falling off the next, all of them from near where the plant comes up out of the soil and these specifically look a little damaged, i gave my plant a little more water and put it in more sun this morning was that right? should i remove the dying leaves and cut out the large drooping flowers???

    Hi Shannon
    Calla lilies like bright indirect light and cool temperatures(60-75) to continue blooming. Watch the watering. Allow the plant to dry out slightly between watering and then water thoroughly letting the water drain out from the bottom. If it came in a foil cover, remove it to drain out the water. If it sits in water or has been overwatered, it can develop a fungal disease or root rot which will kill the plant. You can remove the dying leaves and spent flowers.

  • admin

    Bacterial 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 Jesse
    It may be a soft rot caused by a bacteria (Erwinia carotovora) a major disease of calla lilies. The rotting bulbs give off a foul odor and cause the stems to turn soft near the soil line. The plant look stunted with yellow foliage and eventually wilts and dies. If you dig up the bulbs, they will be soft and mushy. The bacteria likes hot temperatures and lots of moisture to thrive.

  • jackie baraniak

    I recv’d a gorgeous mini calla lily plant for Easter The flowers are dying, but the foliage is going strong. Should I invest in a larger pot to preserve the foliage, or would the leaves last long enough to buy a decorative container? Someone PLEASE
    advise me

    The mini calla lily usually goes dormant so you may want to enjoy the foliage until it dies back.

  • Shanamayra

    I received a potted Calla Lily for Mothers Day and it was blooming. I placed the plant in my bedroom which has a west facing window and the window is always open. Now the plant is drooping and loosing all of the flowers and greens. I keep the soil moist and let the water drain, my room does not get direct sunlight so it is shaded. What am I doing wrong.

    It needs bright light and cooler temps for continued bloom.

  • Cathy

    Hi, I have a mini calla lilly plant which stopped blooming. Now there are green bulbs inside some of the leaves. Is this the plants way of reproducing? What are they and what should I do? Thanks :)

    Hi Cathy
    Yes, your plant is producing a seed pod. When the seed pod matures, it should turn yellow and become soft and mushy. This can take several months. They are usually ready in the fall. If you pick it before it matures the seeds will not be viable. You can remove the seeds by pinching or squishing each berry between your fingers which can hold 1-5 sticky seeds. At this point you can either plant the seeds in moistened potting soil or store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant. Another way is to let the whole “seed pod” dry until it turns a orange, gold or light green color. Clean off the fleshy coating and take out the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place (frig) until you are ready to plant.
    More info.

  • Julie

    I have a Calla Lilly I recently purchased and it has a leaf turning yellow. Shhould I remove it along with the stem. I have moved the plant to a filtered south window.

    Hi Julie
    Yes, you can remove the yellowed leaf. Cut it off with the part of the stem.

  • Julie

    Thanks a lot. Before I had read everything on this site I planted the Calla Lily in a different pot. It was root bound and I had always been told to cut back some of the roots. Will I have harmed my plant. I did not cut the roots back much.

    Hi Julie
    Cutting back the roots should be fine when you’re repotting. It will give the plant more room to grow. Keep the plant in a shaded spot for a few days and then move it to you regular spot.

  • Dripping leaves
    I received a potted Calla Lilly for Mother’s Day. I recently repotted into larger container indoors. The plant has done fine but in the last two days i”m noticing clear liquid( with no odor) dripping from the ends of the leaves. Is something going wrong?

    Hi Heather
    The liquid dripping may be excess moisture that is transpiring from the leaves. It usually indicates that the plant is too wet.

  • Miriam

    Hi, I purchased a Calla Lilly that was beautiful. However, i put it outdoors in a bright shaded area and i noticed that it started to wilt by the end of stem? I then bought it inside and it didn’t do any better? It’s in a pot with drainage and i keep it moist? What am i doing wrong?
    Thx, Florida

    Not sure what is happening. Are the base of the stems (at the soil line) soft? You may be keeping it too moist. Zantedeschia hybrida, colored calla lilies need well drained soil but not wet soil like Z. aetheopica (large white callas). Warm, soggy soil will cause rot. Warmer temperatures and lower light will cause the stems to elongate and flop over. Colored calla lilies need bright light and cooler night temperatures for best growth. They have a bloom period of up to 8 weeks and then go dormant.

  • Julie

    I have to tie the stems up on my Calla Lily so they will not fall down. Is the plant dying?I still have new Green coming up in the dirt. Never had this kind of problem with a plant.Is the Calla Lily a hard plant to grow? Could something have been wrong with it when I bought it. I have it in a North window now. It was in a south window. It does not look like the plant I bought.

    Hi Julie
    I am presuming that you have a colored calla lily. What sometimes happens is that they generally have a bloom period of 6-8 weeks and then go dormant, which may be happening to your plant. Once its done blooming, it will produce less leaves and the older ones will start to turn yellow. Barring disease, this will signal that it is going dormant. It rarely continues to grow all season. The large white callas Z. aethiopica can bloom all season as long as conditions are right.
    I think they are difficult to grow because people get the two types confused and don’t realize that they have different cultural requirements. The most important is watering. Colored callas do not tolerate soggy wet soil and therefore are prone to fungal disease.

  • Orlando

    I live in Palm Springs and as most know, it can get over 100 degrees here in the desert. I have my calla lily outside, but in the shade. I water it every few days to keep it moist. Ive noticed its starting to turn brown and droop a little. Is that due to the heat or the watering? I read that it needs sun, the sun burns it too quickly.
    Please help me.

    Calla lilies need cooler temps (70’s) to grow well. Most likely its the heat.

  • Sandy Martin

    My calla lily blooms are bent over. Does it need more sun. it is on the east side of my home. Also , I have noted a pod growing in the center of the flower. How do I get it to bloom more for this summer?. I am in Cincinnati, Ohio

    HI Sandy
    Warmer temperatures and lower light will cause the stems to elongate and bend over. Colored calla lilies need bright light and cooler night temperatures for best growth. The pod in the center of the flower is a seed pod. If you don’t want seeds remove it for it takes a lot of the plants energy and can reduce flowering. For continued bloom, feed your calla lilies a balanced fertilizer every two weeks.

  • Erin

    all of the blooms on my calla lily started shriveling up and dieing and i paniced but now i think they are just need to be clipped since it also put out three new leaves so do i wait for the blooms to become yellow and dead since they have fallen over but the bloom itself is fine and so is the plant?

    Hi Erin
    You can pick the flower whenever you want. The flowers can fall over in warmer temperatures. I would then pick them and put them in a vase to enjoy indoors.

  • epicXmedic14

    so, i bought a black calla lily earlier this summer. its been slowly dying since i bought it, and now theres only 1 leaf left. i dont think the location is the problem. help!

    It may be going dormant and that’s why its not producing any more leaves.

  • martha

    *Storing calla tubers
    When a calla lily goes dormant what care does it need? Mine was pinkish – would you call this colored? Thank you.

    Hi Martha
    When the plant stops blooming and the leaves start to yellow and die back, reduce watering and let the soil dry. Clip off all brown foliage and store the tuber in soil in a cool (42-45F) spot for a resting period of 2-3 months and as long as 8-10 months. This period is important for tuber renewal. Calla tubers can also be stored in paper bag or cardboard box in slightly moistened peat, perlite or vermiculite. In late winter/spring, replant the tuber in pots of fresh, loose soil. Your pinkish calla is a colored calla that blooms in summer and then goes dormant in the fall.

  • Suzy

    I received a potted lavender/purple calla lily plant last month, and will be moving in the next month or so. How can I ensure that the plant survives the trip, or will I need to just take the bulbs? What is the best way to save this gorgeous plant from the stress of travel and new climate? Moving from Arizona to mid-west. Thanks!

    Hi Suzy
    There’s a good chance that your colored calla lily will start to develop yellow leaves and die back to go into a dormant stage. Reduce watering at this time and once the foliage dries out, you can either dig up the bulbs and store them or leave them in the pot for easy transport when you move. Store the pot in a cool spot (10 wks) and keep it slightly moist to keep the soil from totally drying out. Repot and start watering in early spring and place it in a sunny spot.

    • Suzy

      It’s starting to develop the yellow leaves now, as you’ve said, and I’ll let it dry out a great deal before the trip. Thanks so much for your help!

  • Kate

    Hi! I just received a colored calla lily, and I’ve been reading that they bloom in the summer then go dormant in the fall – but it’s February, and it’s blooming (gorgeously)! When should I expect it to go dormant, so I don’t think I killed it and throw it away (I’ve done that with other plants before!)?
    Thanks!

    Hi Kate
    Forced colored calla lily usually bloom 4-6 weeks and then the foliage is allowed to continue to grow for weeks. When the leaves start to turn yellow, the plant will indicate that its starting to go dormant.

  • marci

    Planting time
    My Friend bought me a potted calla lily plant as a going away gift. I wanted to plant it in the ground because I am not very good with potted plants. WHen is the best time to do that and what kind of care should I give it?

    Hi Marci
    You don’t mention what type of climate you live in. Callas are hardy in zone 7/8-10 and can be planted outdoors now. If you live in colder climates, plant them outdoors when the soil warms up in mid spring and dig them up in the fall.see http://hortchat.com/info/calla-lilies

  • Ariel

    bloom die before opening
    I bought a calla lily a couple weeks ago, and it’s had several blooms, but they die before they even open. What am I doing wrong?

    Hi Ariel
    The blooms will be the first to go when plants that are experiencing some type of stress. Perhaps it is getting either too much or not enough water?

  • Kary

    I just bought a bulb and would like to have it blooming in July to use for my sister’s wedding. How long does a bulb generally take from planting until bloom?

    Hi Kary
    Generally, from planting until bloom, calla lily can take 8-14 weeks, depending on temperatures and moisture conditions.

  • Ginny Fitzgerald

    I live in Texas, so I am in the process of getting my bulbs going again. I am new to calla lilies, so I am not sure what is normal. After the leaves died in the late fall, I cut off the plant to the ground to allow it to go dormant, and have not watered the pot all winter. I watered a little starting about a week ago. Today, I went to dig up one of the bulbs and the bulb was white and mushy and fell apart when I tried to move it. Any idea what it might be? I have 3 other bulbs in the same container so I am wondering if they have any chance of coming back. I appreciate any advice! They are wonderful flowers, so I really hope they come back!

    Hi Ginny
    Calla lilies are prone to fungal disease. Eventhough you did not water, any bruise or cut will allow disease to enter the tuber. Calla tubers are also be stored in paper bag or cardboard box in slightly moistened peat, perlite or vermiculite and dusted with a fungicide. I would dig up the other tubers, check them (they should be firm, no soft spots) and repot them in fresh soil.

  • Amanda

    I planted colored calla lilies and the lily itself is turning a darker red almost brown than what it was and the petals are turning towards each other. I live in north Texas and have been watering but not over watering. My husband thinks I am not watering them enough. It’s been around 70 to almost 80 during the day and low 60’s in the evening. I would appreciate any help.

  • Charlene

    I bought a beautiful white calla lilly in a pot and we planted it in a planter outside. It is doing very well and has beautiful flowers. There are a few flowers that the petals are turning brown but there are more flowers coming up. Are we supposed to cut the flowers off once they start dying? Will this help spur more growth of flowers? Thanks for any advice.

    Hi Charlene
    Yes, cut the flowers off, it will help stimulate more flowers. Use a sharp knife and cut the flower and stem.

  • Diana

    I bought a calla lily a month ago and I re potted to a 7″ diameter a 6 1/2 ” tall pot.Do you think it will be fine or should I get a bigger pot.

    Hi Diana
    What was the original size pot? The rule of thumb is 1 inch larger. If you planted a tuber, then 7″ pot is good.

  • Rebecca

    transplant shock
    I just planted a couple of Black Jack Calla Lily’s yesterday that I got from my mother’s funeral and they are wilting. I am in zone 7 and they get sun until 1:30 pm. Do you think they may just be going through shock right now? I really don’t want to loose them. These are the first calla’s I’ve ever planted in the same soil my hydrangea and hosta are in and those plants always do well. Thanks for any info!

    Hi Rebecca
    My condolensces on the loss of your mom. Your calla lily are in transplant shock. Give them some shade (umbrella?) so that they have a chance to acclimate to the environment. Make sure they get enough water but do not overwater.

  • Selenia

    I have a small calla lily pot. I keep it indoors. It had been doing fine blooming, full of life then I noticed slowly it was turning yellow. So I put it in the shade cut back its water supply. Snipped all the dead leaves. Then today I noticed it wasn’t getting better. So I ran my fingers on the leaves and noticed there were little nat like yellow insects under the leaves. A lot of them. What are they and where could they have came from?

    Hi Selenia
    It’s possible that the soil was kept too wet and the gnat-like insects thrive in moist organic material. The yellowing leaves may be a result of too wet soil that is causing root damage.

  • Sharon Hardy

    Plant calla bulb
    Can you please tell me how to tell the top from the bottom of the
    callalily bulb, how do i know how to plant

    HI Sharon
    The top of the bulb should have some “eyes”, growing points on the surface. This knobby, convex surface faces up and the flatter surface goes into the soil.

  • Jessica

    Overwatering
    I bought a colored Calla Lily about 2 weeks ago. I live in North Carolina and had it inside for the first few days and had read that they needed plenty of water. I think I over watered it because soon after the leaves started to yellow and so I took it outside for more light, but then all the stems and leaves started to fall off at the soil where they had becme mushy. I dug up the bulb tonight and there is one slight soft spot on it, but it mostly seems firm still. I have it sitting on the top of the soil right now to try and dry it out some. What should I do next? Can it be saved and replanted sometime soon? PLEASE HELP!

    Hi Jessica
    I’m not sure what condition your bulbs are in. Do they still have leaves on them? I would plant them in the ground and see what happens. Keep the soil slightly moist-not soggy. If the soil is kept too wet your colored calla will be susceptible to fungal disease.

  • Mao

    i bought my wife a potted purple calla lilly for her birthday since its her favorite flower. we live in miami, florida (hot and humid) and we are trying to figure out how to care for it. do we leave it inside with AC running between 73-77 degrees and little sun or do we put it on our balcony in the sun or in the shade where it can be 80-95 degrees? please help! I dont want it to die! thank you!

    Hi Mao
    Callas do better in temperatures around 75F. Hot temperatures will stress the roots and lead to disease. It will bloom longer and better in cooler temperatures. Keep the soil slightly moist-but not too wet or too dry (don’t let it wilt). If the pot feels light, then it most likely needs water. You can fertilize them every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer that also has micronutrients included. Your soil may already have a slow release fertilizer in it so I wouldn’t worry about feeding the plant. Remember colored callas will bloom for 6-8 weeks and then die back and go dormant. You can also plant them outdoors in Florida where they will come back next season.

  • Serenity

    Hi! My sister bought me a calla lily and it’s not very well. Reading everything above I think its got soft rot. Had to repot it and the bulb was soft, and the leaves and flowers keep drooping and going soft as well. When they do, the smell reminds me of rotting fish. Is there anything that can be done to try and save it? I’ve tried not to get it too wet, and kept it as cool as possible, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. Please help!

    Hi Serenity
    Once the fungal disease takes hold, there’s nothing you can do. Sorry

  • Mixed Callas

    Hi there,

    I just bought some mixed Calla Lilies (pink, white, purple) and I live in Upstate New York. I was wondering if you thought there was any hope that my calla lilies would bloom this summer if I planted them immediately? Thank you!

    Yes, the calla lilies should bloom, give them partial shade in the summer and temperatures of 70-85F- keep them slightly cooler during the summer.

  • Ariel

    Size pot
    I bought a potted pupal calla lily last fall it was at the end of its blooming cycle and i allowed it to go dormant over the winter. I live in Idaho so its is just starting to stay warmer. I was wondering what size of pot and what kind of soil I should replant it in its not really growing or anything yet but the bulb has sprouts starting. Thanks for any information.

    Hi Ariel
    Plant your calla lily in the same pot it grew last year or at least a 6″ pot. Use well-drained potting soil mix.

  • Mixed Callas

    Calla light requirement
    OK, I’m new to learning about Calla Lilies so if you don’t mind I have one more question…The package says the Callas want “Full Sun–6+ hours of direct sunlight” and while reading through the Q&As here, I see that you say colored callas want full sun whereas white want filtered. Then can I just ask why you recommend planting them in partial shade, considering most of the mix is colored? However, I would be absolutely delighted to plant them in partial shade because that’s what most of my garden is! :)

    By the way, thanks so much for your speedy response for the previous question! This site is really helpful!

    My package siad sun and part shade. You can plant them in either full sun or part sun as long as they get at least 4-5 hours of sun.

  • Andrea J.

    I bought a bright pink calla lily last May. It grew well, bloomed and then went dormant. It recently began blooming again, but for some reason, the flowers are white. I recall the tag mentioning something about the vibrance of the color in relation to some external factor, but can’t remember what. I would love to see that beautiful pink color again, but don’t know what to change. The plant is thriving (although the flowers are so tall I’ve had to stake them to keep them from falling over). Any advice is appreciated.

    Hi Andrea
    Perhaps it needs more sun light. Full sun promotes brighter colors.

  • confused

    It is a potted peace lilly and the leaves are turning brown. Thanks.

    Hi
    You may be overwatering or underwatering the plant. If the tips are turning brown, it may be soluble salt accumulation from fertilizer. If it has been in the container for several years, try repotting it in fresh soil.

  • confused

    I have a Giant potted lemon tree. This tree gets tiny lemmons then they fall off, also it is three years old and this year it just has green leaves and gets taller, thats it. Any advice? Thanks.

  • mac

    Removing callas
    I have a huge white calla lilly which was here when we moved in in 1961. It needs moving because it gets to much sun and the leaves turn yellow but how on earth do I get all of the tubers out of the ground. Heard all I had to leave was a small piece of the tuber and it would grow into more calla lillies which I definitly do not need. Would screening the soil help? My husband has suggested Round Up which would be the very last resort if at all.
    In the meantime I need to tye them up. What configuration of posts do you recommend?

    Hi Mac
    It’s not a quick and easy job. After a good rain, pull out or dig up as many plants as you can with the leaves on them so you have the whole tuber. When you see new growth remove that as well. You’ll have to be vigilant for a couple of seasons. Roundup will also help but you will probably need several applications.

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