Zantedeschia spp.
calla lilies
Overview
Zantedeschia spp. is a genus of eight perennials in the arum family, Araceae, known as calla lilies and arum lilies, native to southern Africa. Plants grow from rhizomes or tubers into clumps 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall, with arrow- or heart-shaped leaves that are sometimes spotted with white. The visible part is not a true flower but a funnel-shaped bract, or spathe, wrapped around a central yellow spadix that carries the tiny real flowers. Spathe color ranges from the pure white of Z. aethiopica to the yellow, pink, orange, and dark purple of the tuberous hybrids derived from Z. elliottiana and Z. rehmannii. Z. aethiopica is evergreen and grows in wet ground or shallow water, while the colored species are deciduous and die back to dormant tubers in dry or cold periods. The genus is native to wetlands, stream banks, and seasonally moist ground in South Africa and nearby countries. Z. aethiopica has naturalized and become invasive in mild, wet regions such as parts of Australia and California. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth and digestive irritation and are toxic to people and pets if eaten.
Native Range
Zantedeschia spp. is native to southern Africa, mainly South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique, growing in marshes, stream banks, and seasonally wet grassland. Z. aethiopica has naturalized in mild, moist climates worldwide and is invasive in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and the western United States.Suggested Uses
Grown in borders, pond margins, and containers, and widely cut for floristry. Z. aethiopica is used as a marginal water plant and in moist borders, while the colored hybrids are grown as summer container and bedding plants. Both are forced as pot plants for indoor display.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white, yellow, pink, orange, or purpleFoliage Description
green, sometimes white-spottedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Zantedeschia spp. species grow in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil with a pH near 6.0-6.5. Z. aethiopica grows in constantly wet ground or shallow water and stays evergreen in frost-free climates, while the colored tuberous species need moist soil in growth but a dry rest period when dormant. The colored species rot in cold, wet soil, so their tubers are lifted or kept dry over winter in cold regions. Plants need regular feeding and water during active growth. Most are hardy outdoors in USDA zones 8-10, with Z. aethiopica hardy to about zone 8 and the tuberous species to zones 9-10. Overwatering dormant tubers causes rot.Pruning
Spent spathes and stalks are cut at the base to tidy clumps and limit self-seeding in Z. aethiopica. Yellowing leaves of the deciduous species are cleared as the plants enter dormancy. Clumps are lifted and divided in dormancy to control spread and propagate.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons