About
In late spring and summer it produces elegant flowers composed of a burgundy spathe around a yellow spadix; the flowers are good for cutting. A tender perennial to 50cm tall, forming a clump of broadly heart-shaped, white spotted leaves. Grow as a houseplant, bedding, or as a seasonal marginal aquatic.
About the genus
Zantedeschia can be deciduous or semi-evergreen, tuberous perennials with lance-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves and tiny yellow flowers forming a dense spike-like spadix, with a showy, hood-like spathe, sometimes followed by orange berry-like fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in loam-based potting compost in full light. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks. As a marginal aquatic, grow in baskets of heavy loam. Calla lilies need a period of dormancy over winter, with little or no water. Once the leaves die down after flowering, move them to a dry, frost-free, preferably dark location until spring. See Zantedeschia cultivation
PruningRemove the flowers as they start to fade, pulling the entire stem out at the base
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free