Plant Care and Gardening Tips

Gardening advice and plant care notes

September 19, 2006 · Bulbs / BULBS & TUBERS / Calla lilies / Stargazer lilies

Calla Lilies

    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.  Is it possible? How soon should I see growth and how soon should I place them outside?

calla lily

    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 the soil 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 and need warmer temps and less moisture.
    Calla lilies are  summer blooming plants hardy in zone 7-10. They will not tolerate frost. When grown outdoors in cool climates, be sure to dig them up in the fall and store them in slightly moist soil in a cool, dry place for the winter. Calla lilies are not hardy in Wisconsin.

 

http://hortchat.com/info/potted-calla-lily-care

From the reader archive

Useful reader questions

Hi there! I live in Orlando, FL. I have a number of calla lilies that I have planted in my front garden that gets full, hot sun for more than 8 hours a day. The soil is a typical sandy/clay soil in…

Read John discussion

potted calla lily care 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…

Read maurica massey discussion

Eradicate Calla Hi I live in New Zealand and we have just purchased a small rural home on 7 acres. The paddock was used in the past for horses but has been neglected for awhile now and has large crops of arum…

Read Jillian discussion

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.…

Read Tamela Hill discussion

99 Comments

  1. Sarah - April 16, 2007 at 8:43 am

    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.

    Calla lily are susceptible to several “rotting” diseases, bacterial soft rot, crown rot, root rot (Phytophthora richardiae) and storage rot (Pythium ultimim). The tubers may be infected when you buy them. Some suppliers treat them with a fungicide before shipping them out. Keep in mind that white callas and colored callas have slightly different growing requirements.

    Reply
  2. Tamela Hill - June 19, 2007 at 5:36 am

    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.

    Most likely the one calla lily is suffering from a fungal disease due to too much water. They should be kept moist but not wet. It probably will not survive. Miracle grow is an all-purpose fertilizer that can be used on the callas as well as any other well balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Use it every 2 wks during the growing season and follow manufacturer’s recommendation on the dosage. Later in the season when the foliage starts to turn yellow reduce watering and let the plant dry out. Store the tubers at 45F and replant next spring.

    Reply
  3. Eileen G - June 28, 2007 at 9:40 pm

    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.

    This has been a baffling question. It is difficult to say what is going on without seeing it but here are some theories from two different expert sources. 1. There may be some sort of pest eating the rhizome or roots. Your callas may have inadvertently been exposed to herbicide drift or indirect application(weed & feed the grass) causing the short fat yellow spikes. If so water to dilute the chemical and eventually it will recover. Also if its been a wet season, all that water could be causing a root rot or the plant lost a lot of nutrients and needs fertilizer to strenghten the stems. 2. The other possibility is: after several years in the same location, they can develop a virus that cannot be easily cured. A lot to think about.

    Reply
  4. Danae - August 13, 2007 at 6:40 am

    No blooms
    My calla 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.

    Being in a north window, your calla probably doesn’t get enough light producing a leggy weak stem. You don’t mention fertilizer. If they have been in the same soil for 2 years chances are the tubers are worn out and nutrients need to be replenished. Do you let the foliage die back before you cut it back? If not, this is an important procedure because the leaves replenish the tuber with nutrients. Next year after dormancy, repot in fresh soil which will initially supply new nutrients and when the leaves open then start feeding with an balanced fertilizer every 2 wks.

    Reply
  5. karin - December 27, 2007 at 8:00 pm

    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?

    Enjoy them in their containers indoors in a bright filtered light and plant them outdoors whenever you want in zone 9-10. Plant them in rich moist soil in semi shaded area. The resting (dormant)period comes when the plant stops blooming and starts to slow down producing less leaves and yellowing leaving until most leaves die back. In this process they are replacing nutrients back to the rhizomes for next seasons growth. In Florida it may happen when the weather gets too hot, they will die back and “rest” for a few months and then come back when its cooler.

    Reply
  6. Maureen - February 27, 2008 at 5:04 am

    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

    Hi Maureen

    Your Callas need more light. They bloom best in bright indirect light which is more than 2 hrs. (closer to 6 hrs.) It will still form flowers but not the color you want. Give it more light and feed it every other week with a 5-10-10 fertilizer.

    Reply
  7. maurica massey - March 2, 2008 at 11:58 am

    potted calla lily care
    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?

    A potted Calla lily will usually bloom for 6-8 weeks. Indoors they prefer bright indirect light in the winter months and partial shade in the summer with temperatures of 60-75F in the winter/spring. Cooler temperatures will help the plant and flowers last longer. Keep the sandy, well-drained soil evenly moist but not soggy. Soggy soil can lead to a fungus rot that affects the roots and rhizomes. During active growth and blooming, feed your Calla lily every 2-3 weeks with a well-balanced fertilizer. Colored callas are planted in the spring and bloom in summer then go dormant in the fall. When the plant stops blooming continue to feed & water it until the leaves start to yellow and die back, then reduce watering and let the soil dry. Clip off all brown foliage and store the slightly moist pot in a cool (42-45F), dry place for a resting period of 10 wks or more. This period is important for tuber renewal. They can be stored as long as 8-10 months. In late winter/spring, replant the tuber in fresh, loose soil for spring/summer blooms.

    Reply
  8. Jean Seiffert - March 17, 2008 at 5:28 am

    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?

    If you can’t plant them in pots, put them in a large container/box filled with slightly damp peat moss/perlite -just enough to keep them from drying out. Place the sprouts upright so they don’t get injured. Keep the container in the coolest place (basement, cellar, garage) you have and away from light. Cool temps will slow your calla bulbs down until you are ready to plant. Wait until the danger of frost has passed in your area before you plant them outdoors.

    Reply
  9. amalia valko - April 20, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    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

    Hi Amalia
    Post flowering is the most important time for Calla lilies to build up energy for the next season’s bloom. They need to continue to produce leaves and be allowed to die back. They also need to be fed with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer during that time. Other factors that cause lack of flowers is not enough light, too much water-overwatering can rot the bulb and finally “worn out” bulbs. As with most bulbs, when grown in a container much energy is used to produce flowers and if there is not enough bulb restoration it will only produce what it can-leaves.

    Reply
  10. Jessie - May 6, 2008 at 9:26 am

    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 bacterium) that gives off a smelly odor from the rotting bulbs. Soft rot will cause the stems to turn soft near the soil and the stems to fall over. The plant 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.

    Reply
  11. angela - May 24, 2008 at 2:40 pm

    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.

    Hi Angela
    I believe you are referring to canna bulbs. These are fleshy tuberous roots that you dig up in the fall and store for the winter because they are hardy in zone 9-10. When dividing them, each section of the tubers should have 2-5 “eyes” or buds. You can plant them directly in the ground 3-4 inches deep and 1 1/2 -2 ft. apart when soil temperature is 65F. Also see summer blooming bulbs

    Reply
  12. Patsy Green - June 20, 2008 at 8:32 am

    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?

    Hi Patsy
    No cutting the flowers will not affect the amount of flowers produced. In fact, if you let the flowers go to seed, then the plant may produce less flowers because it is using its energy for seed production. The number of blooms depends on how healthy the plant is, the size of the tuber and variety-a larger tuber will produce more flowers, the shorter potted varieties will produce more blooms when compared to the tall fresh cut varieties.
    Source; http://www.calla-lilies.com/gardencallainfo.cfm

    Reply
  13. Rebecca - July 1, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    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?

    Hi Rebecca
    The two main insects that attack callas are thrips and aphids but they would not chew holes in the leaves. My guess is that it is some kind of caterpillar or slugs chewing on the leaves. If you can collect one, take it to your local extension office and see if they can identify it for you.

    Reply
  14. linda - August 24, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    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?

    Are these white or colored callas? Colored callas will go dormant but the leaves should not get mushy. Soft, mushy leaves indicate some type of soft rot caused by a fungal pathogen. Some of the symptoms are yellow wilted leaves, rolled up leaves and leaves that collapse (fall over) at the base of the plant. Pull out one of the tubers and see what’s happening. If they are rotting they may also give off an odor.

    Reply
  15. Frank Weeks - September 19, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    White calla vs colored calla
    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

    Hi Frank
    The water calla is a bog plant belonging to Zantedeschia Aethiopica species which produces beautiful white flowers. It grows differently than the colored calla lily in that it likes soggy soil and keeps its leaves. To bring it indoors, dig it up and pot it in pre-moistened well-drained soil. After planting keep it in a shaded area either outdoors or indoors for a few days. This will give the plant time to adjust to transplanting, then place in a sunny window(South) and keep the soil evenly moist.

    Reply
  16. Leslie Bell - September 21, 2008 at 8:49 am

    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?

    Hi Leslie
    You can divide and transplant your calla lilies in the fall or spring. Wait for the foliage to turn brown and die back. Once they are dormant in late fall, divide and replant them at the same height they were growing. Perhaps a new setting will encourage them to bloom more. Be sure they get well drained rich soil and full to part shade.

    Reply
  17. Josie - October 8, 2008 at 8:35 am

    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.

    HI Josie
    It may be that your calla lily has fungus gnats which thrive in moist soil.

    Reply
  18. Theresa - October 18, 2008 at 11:15 am

    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.

    Hi Theresa
    Wow, that’s a problem people in other parts of the country would like to have –too many calla lilies.
    You need to dig up the tubers and remove even the tiny bits. Try to get as much as you can, any bit of leftover will start to grow next spring. When new shoots emerge,pull them out again. Lay down heavy plastic or newspapers to kill off any new growth. Another option is to spray the leaves with round-up which should eventually kill the tubers. It may take more than one season to get this done . Your persistence should pay of.

    Reply
  19. Jane Snyder - November 2, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    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?

    Hi Jane
    Are these white large callas or smaller colored hybrid callas? The white ones Zantedeschia aethiopica produce large tuberous rhizomes. Like cannas, calla lily rhizomes can be cut into sections that contain at least one to two eyes. Do this in the spring and then replant outdoors. If the are colored they produce flat, wafers and can be dug up and stored in a cool place and plant them again in spring.

    Reply
  20. Sheri - November 17, 2008 at 11:36 pm

    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?

    Hi Sheri
    Other than mechanical digging and removing every bit, I don’t know of any effective chemical remedy that a homeowner can use. You might want to contact your local extension office and see what they recommend. Make sure that they aren’t allowed to bloom or produce seeds and keep moving them down as soon as they emerge, eventually they will run out of energy to grow. It may take more than a year to get rid of them.

    Reply
  21. heather - November 23, 2008 at 1:20 pm

    Divide and store bulbs
    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!

    HI Heather
    What you can do is take the bulbs, spread them out on newspaper and let them dry out for a couple of days. The roots and leaves should dry up as well, them cut or pull them off. All you really want to store is the bulb itself. Once dry, store the cured bulb in peat moss, vermiculite or sawdust in a dry, ventilated location around 40-50 degrees. Periodically, check the bulb for shrinkage and rot. If they appear shriveled, moisten the medium a bit. They will rot if kept too wet. There are two kinds of Calla, one produces a elongated tuber which has “eyes” which are knobs of growth points which will be prevalent in spring and bulbs. Yours are flattened bulbs that are not divided.

    Reply
  22. Ray - November 27, 2008 at 8:40 am

    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!

    Hi Ray
    Store your calla lily in a cool, dry place around 45-50F. Water occasionally (once a month) just to keep the bulb from completely drying up. The meduim should be slightly damp-too wet will rot the bulb. The minimum storage time is 10 weeks but they can be stored as long as 8-10 months.

    Reply
  23. karen - December 19, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    Fasciation
    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!

    Hi Karen
    It may be a phenomena called fasciation in plants. Fasciation is a malformation fusing of stems, flat ribbon-like and curling stems. It can be caused by genetics (mutation), bacteria (Rhodococcus fascians,) herbicide drift, physical injury and rapid growth. http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/index.html#http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/fascia.html

    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.

    Reply
  24. Tina - February 25, 2009 at 6:20 am

    transpiration from leaves
    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.

    The droplets are water that is transpiring from the leaves. Calla lily is listed as a poisonous house plant and poisonous to cats (www.cfainc.org).Move the plant outdoors if you can.

    Reply
  25. Sarah - February 25, 2009 at 9:47 am

    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?

    Hi Sarah
    I’m asuming that your calla is in a pot indoors not outside. Before storing your callas, they should be air-dried @ 60F for 3 weeks. Once cured, store them dry in a cardboard box or ventilated container in a layer of shredded newspaper , sand or peat moss. Store in a cool, dry spot at 40-50F like a basement. Periodically check on the tuber to make sure they are not rotting. If they start to shrink and wrinkle, moisten the peat moss a bit. A wet medium will rot the tuber. You can store them potted in peat soil-keep the soil dry.

    Reply
  26. Ray - March 23, 2009 at 8:41 am

    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!

    Hi Ray
    You can still repot the calla lily and move it to a sunny spot. Calla lily needs rich soil, bright sun and moisture to grow well.(Don’t overwater) No need to fertilize if in new soil, there should be
    enough nutrients to keep it going for a while. Too much Nitrogen will encourage more leaf growth and no flowers. Fertilize after its done blooming. Place it outdoors during warm days and bring it at night when temperatures get in the 30’s. Miracle grow is fine.

    Reply
  27. erin - May 10, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    White vs colored calla lily
    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?

    Hi Erin
    You are in zone 7-8. Colored Callas are hardy in zone 8-9 so it may be marginally hardy in your area. Make sure you mulch it well during the winter. Once its done blooming it usually is finished, the foliage slowly dies back naturally. The plant will tell you when its done. It will go dormant for a few months and return usually in early spring.
    The large white callas will hold on to their leaves and grow all summer and are hardy to zone 7.

    Reply
  28. Scott - June 11, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    In an area like Northern California where callas are winter hardy, when is the best time to plant? Thanks.

    ZANTEDESCHIA AETHIOPICA cool-season flowering should be planted in fall. The smaller colored callas in late winter/early spring, they bloom in spring and die back in late summer.

    Reply
  29. Karen - June 22, 2009 at 1:08 am

    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.

    Hi Karen
    It sounds like they do have some kinds on bacterial/fungal disease, especially if the stems are turning mushy.

    Reply
  30. Annie Wolf - July 26, 2009 at 9:47 am

    Fungal/bactrial disease
    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 Annie
    Calla lilies are susceptible to many pathogens. Thrips and aphids as well as bruising or injuring the bulbs can open a path for disease. Once the disease enters the bulb it is difficult to elliminate. If the bulb is soft and mushy, then there is nothing your can do to save it. Many growers pre-treat with a broad spectrum fungicide (a combination of fungicides) when planting callas as a preventative. You would have to check at your garden center for which ones are available (Kocide, ChampII flowable) and how they are applied.

    Reply
  31. Cathy - July 26, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    Droopy flowers
    Hi
    I bought my yellow calla lillie from Costco in At the beginning of May. It had many blooms and was thriving well. I p
    lanted 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

    Hi Cathy
    Warmer temperatures can cause the stems to elongate and flowers to droop. For best bloom, callas prefer cool temps and bright light. Be careful not to overwater them. In many cases flowers fail to open when the plant is under some kind of stress. I would cut off the drooping flowers and put them in a vase. See what happens.

    Reply
  32. Liz - August 3, 2009 at 8:00 am

    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.

    Hi Liz
    The white callas seem to be dominant and most likely will take over again.Why not make you separae beds? It’s a good idea to divide your callas but wait until early spring to do so. Divide when the buds start to swell.

    Reply
  33. Littleone_da - October 3, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    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!

    Hi
    Can these black dots be scraped off? They may not be bugs.
    Callas are susceptible to fungal diseases and the dots could be a sign of some type of infection.
    Are the plants weak and wilted? or are they healthy and growing well?

    Reply
  34. yveoro - October 27, 2009 at 11:50 am

    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 Yveoro
    I’m not sure what the worms are but if the tuber has a soft slimy spot then it is infected with some type of rot which they are often susceptible to. You can try to cut off the soft area and dust it with a fungicide and hope it will heal before you plant it. It may not be worth the effort as the bulb is in a bad state to begin with and you don’t know how much of the tuber is infected. In the end you will be dissapointed with the results. The other option is to throw it out and get a new healthy bulb.
    The tiny worms could be fungus gnat larvae.

    Reply
  35. sylvia - February 20, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    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

    Hi Sylvia
    New tubers and future flowers are produced once the plant is done blooming and the leaves continue to grow for about 10 weeks. It sounds as if your plant did not get the chance to do this.
    Because the plant died back so quickly, why don’t you dig it up and see if there is a healthy tuber. I should be firm and hard, free from bruises or soft spots. Too much water can rot the tuber and make it worthless.

    Reply
  36. cathy - February 21, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    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?

    Hi Cathy
    Calla lilies require a warmer soil temperature than daffodils. They are waiting for warmer weather to venture out. Give them more time.

    Reply
  37. tiffany - March 8, 2010 at 7:43 am

    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.

    Hi Tiffany
    Your calla most likely incurred cold damage. Mushy and fallen over leaves will not perk up. Wait to see if it sends out more leaves, if you don’t see any new leaves in a week, then it’s a goner.

    Reply
  38. ae - March 28, 2010 at 12:49 pm

    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?

    Hi
    It is possible that the fertilizer is the problem. Brown edges are an indicator of too much soluble salts caused by overfertilizing the plant. You should not be fertilizing the plant in winter. Because of low light and slow growth, during the winter, plants can not utilize the fertilizer. To correct this problem, flush out the salts by running water through the soil so that it drains out from the bottom. Do this several times. The excess minerals/salts will wash out.

    Reply
  39. ae - April 4, 2010 at 5:57 am

    oops.
    and i’ve been fertilizing it all year round.
    hopefully i can flush the soil with good results.
    thank you.

    Reply
  40. Caren - April 4, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    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 Caren
    You might be able to slow them down by moving the callas into shade and keeping the temperature cooler. Lower temperature will slow flower production.

    Reply
  41. UKBOY - April 8, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    How many in a pot
    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
    Usually one large tuber per 5-6 inch pot works well. A 10inch pot would accomodate 3 tubers.

    Reply
  42. Kim - April 21, 2010 at 8:52 am

    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.

    Reply
  43. Amanda - May 6, 2010 at 7:44 am

    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

    Hi Amanda
    It sounds as if your callas died from a fungal disease that rotted the bulbs. I would not plant new bulbs in the same spot or you may have the same problem again.

    Reply
  44. Wilma - May 7, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    Bacterial disease
    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?

    Hi Wilma
    Colored calla lilies will develop bacterial disease when they a kept too wet. The bacterium likes hot temperatures and moist soil. Wounded or heat stressed plants are a good target for infection. If kept cold and wet, they will also rot. Colored callas like well drained, sandy soil, full sun to part shade.

    Reply
  45. linda - May 13, 2010 at 4:29 pm

    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

    Hi Linda
    All you can do is let the plant dry out and hope it recovers. Make sure the container has drain holes and water can escape from the bottom.

    Reply
  46. Austina Connors - May 16, 2010 at 6:18 am

    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?

    Hi Austina
    You can keep your colored calla in the pot as it will go dormant after a few weeks of bloom. The usually bloom for about 6 weeks. So cut the flowers and enjoy, it will not hurt the plant. Another option is to bury the pot in the yard and dig it up in the fall as they are not hardy in NJ.

    Reply
  47. Michael - May 17, 2010 at 10:12 am

    fungal disease
    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 fungicides 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.

    Reply
  48. Jennifer - May 20, 2010 at 7:28 pm

    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?

    Hi Jennifer
    White calla which don’t need a dormant period. Being in a container, they may be running out of nutrients and would benefit from transplant to a larger container in fresh soil. Unlike the colored calla, they require evenly moist soil at all times. The plant may not be getting sufficient light to produce adequate color. You can grow them in full sun. In addition, excess nitrogen fertilizer will turn the flowers green.

    Reply
  49. Gina GOod - May 27, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    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.

    Hi Gina
    It sounds as if the plant has some kind of fungal or bacterial disease(rot) that is causing the plant to collapse. Be careful not to overwater the plant. Unlike the large white callas, colored callas prefer to be on the dry side. You can try a fungal soil drench to help control the disease but once it starts it’s difficult to elliminate. Recovery is pretty slim.-Sorry

    Reply
  50. Missi - June 4, 2010 at 8:55 am

    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 Missi
    Calla lilies don’t like hot weather and will bend over. They bloom longer and better in cooler temperatures. Try moving them to a cooler spot. In addiiton, be careful not to overwater them. Keep the soil slightly moist-but not too wet or too dry (don’t let it wilt).

    Reply
  51. Genesis - June 6, 2010 at 12:44 pm

    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.

    Hi Genesis
    Plant them in semi- shady area in Ca. If they are colored callas, they will eventually die back and go dormant.

    Reply
  52. Sara - June 9, 2010 at 8:37 am

    Calla spread
    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? 🙂 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??

    Hi Sara
    The dieying leaves can be a bit slimy because they have a lot of moisture in the stem. To control them from spreading all over, pull or dig up the tubers where you don’t want them to grow. Cutting off the flowers will keep the plant from forming seeds and control spread. Most people don’t have that problem.

    Reply
  53. southerngirl - June 13, 2010 at 6:21 pm

    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.

    Hi Southerngirl
    It sounds as if you had blooms that were pollinated and are producing a seed pod. The plant will focus its energy on producing seeds and not flowers, so if you want more flowers, remove the seed pods.

    Reply
  54. southerngirl - June 14, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    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?

    Hi SG
    Cut off the whole with the stem. The seeds may not be ripe enough to replant so you may as well discard them or leave them close by in the soil and perhaps they will germinate.

    Reply
  55. Debbie Adams - June 20, 2010 at 9:28 am

    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.

    Hi Debbie
    The flowers are reluctant to open when the plant is under some type of stress. Brown tips can indicate a root problem perhaps too much water. Make sure the soil is moist but not overly wet. Colored callas bloom best in cooler temperatures 70-85F. If you live in zone 8-10, then you can leave them outdoors for the winter.

    Reply
  56. cathy - July 2, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    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.

    Hi Cathy
    Callas grow and bloom in moderate temperatures 70-85F. Yours should bloom in late summer/fall when temperatures are cooler. The nice thing is that you don’t have to dig them up for the winter.

    Reply
  57. Daphne - July 22, 2010 at 6:43 pm

    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?

    Hi Daphne
    Callas tend to slow down on bloom in hot weather. Try feeding it with a bloom boost and perhaps they will bloom more when temperatures cool down a bit.

    Reply
  58. Erin - July 23, 2010 at 9:20 am

    calla dieback
    Hi, I bought a house about 3 1/2 months ago (late March) that had a LOT of large white calla lillies in the backyard. They started turning yellow and drooping around mid-june. From what I read it sounded like it was going dormant, so I cut them back. Now I’m wondering if it was something else since where I live (central coast CA) It should live year-round??? The leaves were all turning yellow and the white flowers were curling up and turning brown around the egdes, they would all lay flat on the ground too…. What do you think? Should I dig up the bulbs? Thanks!

    Hi Erin
    Calla lilies will go dormant in mid-summer even in central CA. The symptoms you describe can be from either too much or not enough water. Too much water will rot the tubers whereas not enough will dry them out. Dig up the bulbs to see if they are soft and mushy, if so then they were too wet and you need to get rid of them. If the bulbs are are firm and white underneath, then it may just be a natural dry down for the summer and they should return in cooler weather.

    Reply
  59. Melinda - August 24, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    I bought one pink and one purple calla lily and have them outside. They were on our covered porch and after about four days they have started to wilt. I have been giving them water, but they still wilted. so I moved them out into the sun after giving them some water and that seemed to help for an hour or so. They did perk back up after the water and being moved out to the sun. about an hour or so later they have started to wilt again. we live in Arizona! what am i doing wrong and is there a way to save them?

    Hi Melinda
    It may be that it is too hot for the Callas in Az. right now. They do like sun, place it where it gets morning sun. If you kept them in shade, they need a little time to acclimate to stronger light. Is it getting enough water or too much? If the plant is pot bound, there may not be enough soil to hold sufficient water so it may need to be repotted so that it can retain water. Callas are hardy in zone 8-10 and most of AZ falls into that zone. If you can, plant it in the ground, keep it watered and it should return next season. The last idea is that the potted calla have been growing for some time and are past their prime, ready to go dormant.

    Reply
  60. Pegi - September 4, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    Flopping calla lilies and dahlias
    I have beautiful calla lillies growing. Very full & with a lot of blooms. The problem I’m having is keeping them upright in the flower beds. I have tried staking them & tying them but it seems like they are still too heavy & droop over. How would I remedy this. I’m having the same problem with my dahlias also.
    Please advise.

    Hi Pegi
    Calla flowers can flop over when they are pollinated and have seeds forming, which makes the flowers too heavy to stay upright. Warm temperatures will also cause the stem to elongate and flower to droop. Dahlias can develop large top heavy flowers and except for the short cultivars need to be staked. It’s frustrating. Try using a tomato cage on the dahlias. http://dahlias.net/dahwebpg/Support/NoStake.htm

    Reply
  61. Jillian - September 26, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    Eradicate Calla
    Hi
    I live in New Zealand and we have just purchased a small rural home on 7 acres. The paddock was used in the past for horses but has been neglected for awhile now and has large crops of arum or calla lilies. The majority of them grow down a hill where a natural spring runs so the ground is very soft and boggy. We want to put some horses in the paddock and have been told that horses wont touch them as long as they are well fed – it still makes me nervous though. We have hacked a lot of them to the ground and tried digging up the roots but there are SO many! Is there any way to get rid of them on sloped, boogy land or is the only way to dig them out? I dont want to spray as it will just wash away and contaminate the water. I also heard that any broken roots will start growing again, does this mean the big bulbs or the ropy little roots?
    Thanks

    Hi Jillian
    I have read that they are very difficult to eradicate. You need to continue dig up the tubers and remove even the tiny bits of tubers. Worry about the ropy roots later. Try to get as much as you can, any bit of leftover will start to grow next spring. When new shoots emerge, pull them out again. Lay down heavy plastic or newspapers to kill off any new growth. It may take more than one season to get this done . It’s hard work but your persistence should pay of.
    Perhaps someone out there will have another solution for you. Also contact your local agricultural center and see if they have any suggestions.

    Reply
  62. Jennifer - October 31, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    Calla not blooming
    I have a dark red calla that was I planted about 4 years ago. It now grows huge, prolific leaves and NO blooms (this is the second year with no blooms). Do I just need different fertilizer? Also, here in SW Washington, their leaves never die back. They stay green forever (the underneath ones turn yellow, but most stay green and eventually just fall over and turn to mush and look gross, but not until full winter). Is it safe to trim them back in the fall when they are still green (in this case they’ve been getting nutrients all summer, since there were no blooms,right?)????

    Hi Jennifer
    It’s possible that you need to change the fertilizer to a higher middle # (phosphorus) or a bulb fertilizer. If callas get too much nitrogen, they will produce many leaves and no flowers.
    In addition, they may not be getting enough sun to bloom. Since they had prolific leaf, I would trim them back and clean out the area for the winter. Another problem is that they may also be overcrowded which can also affect blooming and lead to disease.

    Reply
  63. Sonja - November 1, 2010 at 11:00 am

    Growing tip
    Mary,
    So sorry to hear about the passing of your Mother. Know how special this calla lily plant is to you. I have a calla about the same size as yours. I put it on the patio (gets bright but no direct sun) then bring in for the winter. When indoors, I have it in a room with the same, fairly bright but no direct sun. (Have a north slider, a couple of south facing windows, and 2 skylights.) Clip off the yellow leaves. I would suggest you replant into a clay container. You need a container that drains. Callas are very forgiving. You will know when it needs water, as it will start to lay out flat! No worries; give it a good drink, and it will perk right back up! I fertilize mine with ground up kitchen scraps (eggshells, produce, etc – only natural, no cooked food). I haven’t re-potted mine in YEARS, if ever! Blooms come sporadically as a nice surprise! Good luck, and don’t worry. You will do fine.

    Thanks Sonja!

    Reply
  64. Rosalyn - November 6, 2010 at 5:23 am

    I have my bridal bouquet of white calla lilies sitting in a clear glass container with water. I assumed they would be dead by now like most cut flowers. My flower still looks good and I took them out of water to see that the bottom of the stem has split open and looks like a root. I want to keep them and put in dirt. How should I do that?

    Hi Rosalyn
    You can trim the bottom of the bouquet and change the water to help keep the flowers longer. These are cut flowers with no roots, they will not grow in soil and no way of producing a root system.

    Reply
  65. Gerry - April 3, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    Divide calla lilies
    My calla lilies have been in the ground for many years, but I think they are crowding each
    other out and all of them are not producing blooms. It is now April 3 and I wonder if I can separate them now before they bloom this summer. I live in Concord, NC just outside of Charlotte.

    Hi Gerry
    If your calla lillies are leafed out and growing, wait until the fall-after bloom to divide them. You could also divide them in later winter/early spring before they leaf out.

    Reply
  66. H - April 12, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    I have very large white calla lilies growing along my driveway. They are in bloom and look gorgeous. However, this morning I noticed that something, or more likely the someone paining my neighbors wall surrounding his house (*eyeroll) has trampled them. The stems are all broken and kind of look like mush. Will they grow back? Is there anything I can do to save them?

    Hi H
    Your callas should recover as long as they were not totally destroyed. Remove the damaged leaves and broken stems to keep disease from entering the plants. Keep the plants at optimal growing conditions, and give them a dose of fertilizer (10-10-10) when they start to put out new leaves. Put some chicken wire around the plants to give those “big feet” out of your flowers patch. Maybe they will take the hint.

    Reply
  67. VK - April 20, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    I bought potted yellow calla lillies 1 month back when they had 4 bulbs. I live in arizona and the temperature is slowly going up to 90s. I kept them in the sun (for about 4-5 hrs) and watered once a day. I noticed that the stems are bending completely on both sides and the bulbs have died. The leaves look fine but not a single bulb has grown. Is there something wrong with what im doing. I really want those pretty yellow flowers.

    Your calla may be done blooming and going dormant. They have a bloom period of up to 6- 8 weeks and then go dormant.
    Warmer temperatures will cause the stems to elongate and bend over. Colored calla lilies need bright light and cooler night temperatures for best growth.

    Reply
  68. ELAINE - April 30, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    I HAVE BEAUTIFUL CALLA’S. HOWEVER THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET TALL. AND BEING HEAVY ON TOP THEY SOMETIMES “SAG” AND NOT SURE THE BEST WAY TO KEEP THEM UP RIGHT. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND I SEE A LOT OF OTHER CALLA’S BUT 3-4 FEET TALL. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MINE.

    Hi Elaine
    It could be a number of things- warm temperatures and lower light will cause the stems to elongate and get taller, also it may be a taller variety of Callas.

    Reply
  69. John - May 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Hi there!

    I live in Orlando, FL. I have a number of calla lilies that I have planted in my front garden that gets full, hot sun for more than 8 hours a day. The soil is a typical sandy/clay soil in Florida that I have intermixed with standard potting/gardening soil to make it more loamy. The beds get very good drainage. There are three varieties, a short red calla, a middle sized pink/white calla, and finally a group of tall white callas with purple throats. I know that calla lilies are supposed to be hardy in this area.

    The lilies are spectacular right now and seem to be happy. They get watered every other day to keep them happy. They have been blooming for a few weeks now, and I believe I should have at least 5 more weeks of blooms…maybe more if I am fortunate. Once they stop blooming, I want to be sure I take good care of them. It does not get very cold here often (although we had a couple of rare freezes this past year). (During the freezes, I covered all plants and had Christmas light strings beneath the covers to keep plants warm.) Should I try to remove the rhizomes at all during the year, or should I leave them in ground all year long? Do you think that the callas will bloom a second time in this part of the country during the fall/winter? Any thoughts would be appreciated as they are a wonderful part of my butterfly/hummingbird garden…though they seem to be attracting more neighbors than butterflies at the moment. 🙂

    Hi John
    congrats on your calla lily success! They are hardy in your area and should be fine left in the ground year round.

    Reply
  70. Shirley - May 13, 2011 at 4:55 am

    I have potted callie liles want to plant them can they take direct sunlight?

    Hi Shirley
    Yes they can take direct sun. Be sure to slowly acclimate them to direct sun by gradually exposing the potted lily to more light each day before planting.

    Reply
  71. Janice - May 17, 2011 at 6:44 am

    Stored calla lily bulb
    I have a callalily that has been in a pot in my basement for at least 5 years. When I discovered it a few days ago I noticed it was sprouting. I watered the plant, and it seems like they are doing okay. There are approximately 6 bulbs in one pot and I’m concerned that there are too many in this 6 inch pot. Is it safe to repot the bulbs once they begin to sprout?

    Hi Janice
    Wow after 5 years! I didn’t know they would store that long. Yes, its a good idea to divde them. Depending on how large the bulbs are, I would go with 2-3 in a pot. Let us now how well they grew.

    Reply
  72. Laura - May 17, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    I just bought Calla Lilys from the store. I am planning on putting them in a po. THe pot doesn’t have holes in the bottom for draining but it does have a part that looks like it will hold the plant up a little so it won’t sit in the water. I was wondering if I should put sand or gravel in the bottom of the pot before I put soil in? Or is I should just take the pot back and get one that has holes?

    Hi Laura
    A pot with holes is better, but gravel in the bottom of the pot will certainly help. Its easier to judge how much water your plant needs when the water drains out of the bottom.

    Reply
  73. Gerri - May 22, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Not growing in location
    My yard man planted calla lilies in my front yard in 2008 which gets afternoon sun. In the 3 years, I’ve never had a bloom and two of them died. The instructions said that should get morning sun. Should I move them to my backyard which gets morning soon? And when can I move it? If it does better there, will it spread?

    Hi Gerri
    Morning sun is a bit cooler than afternoon sun. It doesn’t sound like they are thriving so why waste another year. It’s best to move them as soon as they start to sprout. You can try to move them now. Do it on a cloudy day and water in well. They will spread when they are vigorously growing.
    Realizing that you live in zone 7, calla lily may be marginally hardy in your area. When you move them, place them in a protected area away from cold winter winds. Also, mulch the area with 2-3″ of wood chips, straw etc. for added winter insulation.

    Reply
  74. Gerri - May 22, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Oh and one more question. I live in zone 7 and recently bought more bulbs that indicated that they are to be planted January-April. It is May and I was wondering if I can still plant them or should I wait until next year?

    Hi Gerri
    You can still plant them either in containers or in the ground. Do it asap before the hot weather sets in. They like it a bit cooler. If in the ground you may want to dig them up and store them indoors for the winter.

    Reply
  75. marcia - June 17, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Growing Callas for wedding
    My daughter will be getting married June 9, 2012. She wants cally lillys. I would love to grow some 4″ pots and have them for the centerpieces next year. Of course they need to be flowering. I live in W Oregon and have 4 acres. I would prefer to buy them from a nursery but can’t find a supplier. Help

    Hi Marcia
    Callas need to be planted 12-14 weeks before bloom. To be on the safe side plant 14 weeks before the wedding. Start them in the spring outdoors or in containers when temperatures are above 55F.

    Reply
  76. Melissa - June 23, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Hot weather
    Hello,
    I received a purple Calla Lilly plant for Mother’s day that was blooming and still is. I put it on my patio and it has been getting bright, indirect light all day with temps in the 60’s and 70’s for the most part. It has been doing fine and looking great until the last few days. Now the outer leaves are all wilting and some are turning yellow. Summer is here and I am wondering if the intense heat is bad for the plant.I live in Southern California and it’s very dry and in the high 90’s. Should I bring it inside and keep it cool or leave it outside? If I bring it inside, it will not get direct sunlight, but bright indirect light.
    thanks for your help,
    Melissa

    Hi Melissa
    Calla lilies sulk in hot weather, they get droopy and flop over. Bring it indoors in the brightest light. Keep in mind a potted colored calla will bloom for 4-6 weeks and then stop blooming, leaves turn yellow and go dormant. It may be what’s starting to happen to your plant.

    Reply
  77. Judy Schad - July 4, 2011 at 3:36 am

    Protecting seedlings in winter
    I live in southern Indiana and planted callas about 6 years ago in my garden. I planted them about 6″ deep and they come up every year and are beautiful. They also drop seeds and I have many small plants that come up each year but do not come back or over winter. Is there some way I can dig these and over-winter them to produce more plants?

    Hi Judy
    Young plants are not as hardy and need winter protection. It’s best to keep the small seedling potted the first season and transplant outdoors the next spring. You can dig up the small plants and keep them indoors for the winter or store them in pots in the garage. Another way is to bury the pots and cover them with a mulch over the winter.

    Reply
  78. Betti - July 11, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Plant calla outdoors
    I have been given a yellow calla lilly potted plant. I want to plant it outside. should i do it now in July or wait till later and how deep? I live in the Willamette Valley Oregon

    Hi Betti
    Calla lily is hardy in zone 7-10. You may be in zone 7 so it can be planted outdoors. You can plant it now. Since it is in a pot, pop out the whole rootball and gently unroll some of the roots. Plant it at the same soil level as it was growing in the pot.

    Reply
  79. Linda - July 13, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    Flowers turn green
    I have a beadutiful yellow calla lilly, however, the blossoms are now green. What do I do.

    Hi Linda
    The bloom on a calla will turn green when they are past their prime and/or are ready to go dormant. They can also turn green if they are not getting enough sun or too much sun. Hot temperatures can also cause them to turn green.

    Reply
  80. MARY - August 27, 2011 at 8:22 am

    IS IT O.K. TO DIG UP THE CALLA LILIES AFTER THEY ARE DONE BLOOMING, AND PUT THEM AWAY IN A COOL STORAGE PLACE TILL SPRING? OR IS IT BEST TO WAIT UNTIL LATE FALL WHEN THE LEAVES HAVE BROWNED?

    HI Mary
    The leaves need to continue to grow to produce more of a tuber and bloom next year.

    Reply
  81. Jo - August 31, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Leaf transpiration
    I have acquired one of the beautiful pink calla lilies and have it in a pot in a light position. I have noticed that drops of water appear at the tips of some of the leaves and even on some of the flower petal tips. Any idea of why this happens – am I over watering? I don’t believe I am but why does this drip water?
    Jo

    Hi Jo
    It’s like the plant is “sweating” to cool itself off by releasing excess moisture. Another possibility is the stomata in the leaves are transpiring excess moisture, possibly from too wet soil. A change in soil temperature from night to day can also cause leaf transpiration. If the plant is healthy, then there is nothing to worry about.

    Reply
  82. Dustin Gwynn - September 4, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Hi. I was wondering, being the amateur gardner that I am, I mistakenly thought the calla lily plant to be dead. Since I didn’t think it was that important, I just pulled it out of the ground. It came out super easy and with barely a tug. Well, unfortunately for me my wife was outside, and this calla lily was given to her by her mom, and was special to her. I must have missed that, because I really just thought it was something she got from her mom, and she just threw it in the ground for kicks, to see how it would grow. needless to say, I took quite the tongue-lashing. I just pulled the dirt back up, plopped it back down, covered it up, fertilized it, and watered it real good. My question is, will it be okay, 0r can we expect it to die. Please help!!

    Hi Dustin
    If your calla was going dormant, then it should come back after a resting period. No need to fertilize. You don’t say where you live but callas are not hardy in colder regions of the country so you may have to store it indoors for the winter. see the article http://hortchat.com/info/potted-calla-lily-care

    Reply
  83. Njoyme - September 12, 2011 at 9:55 am

    Yellow drooping leaves
    I have a yellow calla lilly plant and have moved it inside already. The leaves were burning due to the very extreme heat in Georgia this summer. Now the green leaves are turning yellow and drooping. Please let me know what I am doing wrong? Is possible I am over watering? Help!!

    Hi Njoyme
    It may be that your calla is done for the season and is starting to go dormant. A potted Calla lily will usually bloom for 4-6 weeks and then just grow leaves which will eventually turn yellow and die back. The heat may have helped it along. On the other hand bringing it indoors can cause yellowing leaves due to lower light conditions. You can move your calla to a shaded area in extreme heat. Over watering is another possibility.

    Reply
  84. Cathy - September 15, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    Calla not blooming
    Hi again. Wondering about my yellow calla lily not blooming again this year. What can I do to ensure blooms for next year?

    HI Cathy
    I am assuming that your callas are hardy where you live(zone 8-10)marginal in zone 7. Anything below 8 and the bulbs should be dug up for the winter. If they are marginally hardy they may be damaged from winter cold. Calla lilies may not bloom for several reasons: 1. Not enough sun-or too much shade. 2. Too much water-Poorly drained soil will keep the tubers/bulbs wet too long and cause them to rot or prone to disease. 3. Too much fertilizer can promote lots of leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Fertilize in spring when they emerge from the ground and then stop when they start to bloom and feed again once they are done blooming.
    Let the foliage continue to grow throughout the season until it dies back naturally as that will build up the bulb for next years bloom. Another possibility is that the bulbs may be worn out or of poor quality when you first planted them.

    Reply
  85. Jody - October 11, 2011 at 8:43 am

    Store calla tubers
    My calla lily seams to have died, maybe just done for the year, my question is they are potted so I will bring them inside for the winter do i still have to water them there is nothing left looks like a nice pot of soil

    Hi Jody
    It’s done for the year and need a dormant period of at least 2-3 months. Calla tubers can be stored in the pot or paper bag or cardboard box in slightly moistened peat, perlite or vermiculite. In late winter/spring, replant the tuber in pots of fresh, well-drained soil mix. Colored callas planted in the spring will bloom in summer and then go dormant in the fall.

    Reply
    1. Amy Carter - February 3, 2012 at 7:17 am

      Spacing calla lilies outdoors
      Hi Kris
      If i want to plant more than one bulb what distance i should to have, they get enough room to really spread out.

      Hi Amy
      Plant your calla tubers 2 inches deep and 1- 1 1/2 feet apart, so they have room to spread.

      Reply
  86. evd - February 21, 2012 at 7:52 am

    Grow calla in Florida
    i bought a calla lily plant at lowe’s, it was all green with about 10 or more flowers that were still green. i figured, yey! they’ll be all white soon and it’ll be gorgeous! my husband was like lets put them in the landscape once we get home, i wasn’t sure about it (i thought it would be best not to disturb them right then but wait til they were done blooming and they die back) but he convinced me and we took them out of the pot, there were a ton of bulbs, and planted them. well now (a month later) almost everything has turned yellow. I’ve been cutting them as they die and now, there is only 1 to 3 leaves per bulb, they’re green but drooping or one green drooping flower. what should i do?!?!?!? should i dig them up, dry them out and plant again in 2-3 months? or maybe they’re not deep enough? or just wait til spring and they’ll come up on their own?

    we live in north central florida, its been cold but it frosted only twice (i covered them) but the temperature has been mainly from the 50s-70s.

    Hi Evd
    They have gone through their blooming cycle and are resting. Leave the calla bulbs in the ground and they may come up again later in the season. You don’t need to dig them up in Fla. they can be left in the ground year long.

    Reply
  87. Brenda - March 16, 2012 at 10:43 am

    I live in East TX and bought some calla lilies at a local store. Yesterday, I clean out the flower beds and just placed the lilies, in their container, around in the bed. This morning I went to plant them and noticed that something cut off one of the flower stems. It also ate part of the inside of the stem. Could this be an insect or possibly one of the local moles? The container was not knocked over. I found signs of a mole’s tunnel, but no signs of where it came up nor paw prints.

    Hi Brenda
    My guess would be a mole or small critter.

    Reply
  88. sonya - March 20, 2012 at 12:51 am

    Get more tubers
    how do i get new bulbs.i want to give bulbs to friends.

    Hi Sonya
    If you have a healthy plant growing outdoors, calla lily will produce more tubers which can be divided in early spring or late fall.

    Reply
  89. Kerri - March 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    Tall/weak stems
    I have a huge calla that was given to me after my mother passed away. The first season it went to seed and I harvested the pods. It has yet to bloom again. But the biggest problem I am having is that the leaves are so huge and long that they are heavy and weight of them they bend and break they are about. 2-3′ long I don’t know how to keep the long leaves from doing this. Does it need to be down in the pot further? I have a post that I put in the pot and took some yarn and tried to tie the stems up so they don’t bend and break but it didn’t work. Any suggestions would be helpful. I have pictures of it if anyone would like to see what I am referring to.
    Here is a link to a photo
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=532468477#!/photo.php?fbid=10150768576128478&set=a.10150100152693478.314776.532468477&type=1&theater

    Hi Kerri
    Looks like your calla lily needs more sun. Low light and warm temperatures can produce tall and weak stems that will bend over. I would slowly increase the amount of sun it is getting. When the weather warms up, slowly acclimate it to the outdoors by placing it in the shade. Are you fertilizing the plant?

    Reply
  90. Kerri - March 30, 2012 at 8:58 am

    The calla is in the front window with full morning sun in the house. and it gets evening sun as well. I am fertilizing it also. I put it outside last year in the sun and it did the same thing. I wondered if it needed to be put in a bigger pot that was deeper.

    Reply
  91. Sue Green - April 27, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Deer resistant?
    deer have eaten my calla lilies

    Hi Sue
    The deer must have been very hungry. Calla lilies are listed as seldom severely damaged, deer usually will not eat them.

    Reply
  92. Pat Stoddard - June 25, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I got a beautiful calla lilly 2 weeks ago. It slowly rotted or got a fungus. It leaves are all gone and now theres only a bulb left. Please is there any way I can save this for next year. Pat

    Hi Pat
    If the tuber is rotted, then there is nothing you can do. You can try to cut off the rotten part and dip the good section in fungicide and store it for next season. There is no guarantee that it will not rot next year.

    Reply
  93. Doreen - November 10, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    Poisonous to pets
    This is the first time I own a calla lilie, and I would like to know if it will kill my cats or dogs? We’re would be a good place for me put it. Thank You

    Hi Doreen
    The ASPCA has calla lily listed as being poisonous to cats and dogs when the leaves are ingested. The entire plant is considered poisonous.

    Reply
  94. Shalaka - January 17, 2013 at 12:29 am

    I m from India and i’ve recently planted 3 colored calla lilies in the pot. I’ve placed the pot in sunny location. It has just sprouted. Presently its winter here but the temp day time is around 25 degree celcius and night is 10 degrees. Dont have much information as how to care for the plant. Please help. Thank you.

    Hi Shalaka
    Calla lilies can grow outdoors year round in India. They should bloom in the cooler winter months. Move the pot to a cooler spot during the hot summer. Once they are done blooming in the pot, I would plant the tubers in the garden so they can continue to return every year.

    Reply
    1. Shalaka - January 27, 2013 at 10:45 pm

      Thank you very much for the valuable information. The tubers have just sprouted. How long will it take to bloom once they sprout? And how frequently should I water them now and in summer?

      Reply
  95. Kaymoy - February 2, 2013 at 6:30 am

    Calla done blooming
    Hi I purchased a potted deep purple calla lily plant last year in October. All of the flowers have yellowed there are some green foliage remaining are drooping. The tips of the foliage showed yellow and I cut the yellow tips off. Will this plant ever bloom again?

    Hi Kaymoy
    Usually a potted calla lily will bloom 4-6 weeks. It most likely is going dormant. see the article on “After bloom care”. Yes, with proper care it should bloom again.

    Reply
  96. Martha Lofton - May 29, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I have about 4 or 5 different Calla Lilies. on a few of them the flower droops over. how can I help keep the flowers from doing this? I just got them this year.
    thanks,
    Martha Lofton

    Reply
  97. Summer - May 14, 2016 at 10:16 am

    I live in South Carolina&was given a Pink Cloud Calla Lily for mothers day. What can cause it to turn soggy and mushy at the bottom of the stems? I’ve had several of them turn mushy and fall over. What can be causing this problem?

    Hi Summer
    Calla lilies are susceptible to root rot, which will cause the tubers to turn mushy.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before publication. Keep questions specific and avoid promotional links.