About
A rhizomatous perennial to 90cm, with arrow-shaped dark green leaves finely spotted with white, and yellow spathes to 15cm long.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesSub-tropical, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toNorthern South Africa
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
CultivationUse as summer bedding, planting in a moist, humus-rich, but well-drained soil in full sun. Lift and store overwinter in trays of peat-free compost in a cool, frost-free garage or shed and plant out tubers in spring after risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, grow in containers of peat-free, loam-based John Innes No2 potting compost and overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See Zantedeschia cultivation
PruningDeadhead flowers and cut down yellowing foliage at the end of the season
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or propagate by seed, at 21-27°C (70-81°F) when ripe but flowers may not appear for 2 or 3 years.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids or thrips; glasshouse red spider mite or glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal and bacterial rots and a virus