Calla lily with elegant white flowers growing indoors

Calla Lily

Complete Care Guide

Zantedeschia

Calla lilies are elegant flowering plants grown from rhizomes. Indoors, they require bright indirect light, consistent moisture, and a defined rest period after blooming.

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Care varies with climate, season, roots and indoor conditions. Check your plant and soil before watering. Keep this plant away from plant-chewing pets.

Calla Lily Care at a Glance

Calla lilies are graceful flowering plants prized for their sculptural blooms and lush green foliage.

Best For

  • Bright rooms
  • Indoor flowering displays
  • Seasonal color
  • Decorative plant lovers

Not Great For

  • Low light rooms
  • Homes with pets
  • Those wanting year-round foliage

Light Requirements

Bright indirect light is essential for flowering. Too little light results in foliage growth without blooms.

How to Water a Calla Lily

Water regularly during growth to keep soil evenly moist. Once flowering finishes and leaves yellow, gradually reduce watering.

Watering Tips

  • Never allow the pot to sit in water.
  • Reduce watering during dormancy.
  • Resume watering when new shoots appear.

Dormancy Explained

After flowering, calla lilies naturally enter dormancy. Leaves yellow and die back—this is normal and necessary for reblooming.

Flowering Tips

Cool nights, bright light, and regular feeding encourage strong blooms. Avoid excess nitrogen.

How to Propagate Calla Lily

  1. Remove plant from pot after dormancy.
  2. Gently separate rhizomes with visible growth points.
  3. Allow cuts to dry briefly.
  4. Replant in fresh soil and resume watering when growth begins.

Calla Lily Problems (Fast Fix Guide)

No flowers

Possible contributor: Low light or lack of dormancy

Try after checking: Increase light and allow a rest period

Symptoms overlap. Check soil moisture, light and roots before treating.

Yellow leaves

Possible contributor: Dormancy or overwatering

Try after checking: Reduce watering and allow natural dieback

Symptoms overlap. Check soil moisture, light and roots before treating.

Soft rhizomes

Possible contributor: Root rot

Try after checking: Remove rot and repot in dry, fresh soil

Symptoms overlap. Check soil moisture, light and roots before treating.

Pet Safety Warning

  • Calla lilies are toxic to cats and dogs.
  • Keep out of reach of pets and children.

Pet warning

Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Ingestion can cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

More ways to learn

These links open external video sites.

TikTok care videos

FAQ

How long do calla lily flowers last?

Blooms typically last several weeks under good conditions.

Do calla lilies need dormancy?

Yes. A rest period is essential for future flowering.

Can calla lilies grow indoors year-round?

They can be grown indoors, but will cycle through growth and dormancy.

Are calla lilies safe for pets?

No. They are toxic if ingested.

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