Adding new flowers to your garden is always an exciting thought. With the right care and effort, you will soon start to see beautiful blossoms that add something special to your environment.
What is Calla Lily
Despite their name, calla lilies are not a real type of lilies but are truly extraordinary flowers nonetheless. There are many different types of calla lilies to choose from which come in a multitude of lovely colours and add a splash of vibrancy wherever they are grown.
Let’s take a closer look at how to grow and care for calla lily flowers from bulbs.
How To Plant Calla Lily Bulbs
Where to Plant Calla Lily
If you wish to plant calla lily bulbs, it’s best to do so in loose, well-drained soil. Generally, these bulbs don’t require too much attention and are easy to grow, so long as they are planted properly and located appropriately.
When to Plant Calla Lily
Be sure to plant your calla lily bulbs in full sun or partial shade during the springtime. Ensure that the threat of frost has passed so that the soil is sufficiently warm before you put them into the ground. Calla lilies need to be planted quite deep, at about 10 centimetres or more, and spaced approximately one foot apart.
Once you have planted your calla lily bulbs, you need to keep the area watered well. They enjoy being moist and will perform well with a monthly dose of fertilizer throughout the rest of their growing season.
How To Care For Calla Lilies
Once established, calla lilies are quite easy to care for. The growing periods for indoor and outdoor calla lily bulbs are similar, but there are a few things you can do a bit differently when caring for each. Follow these quick steps to caring for them:
Indoor Calla Lily Care
Indoor calla lilies need constant moisture as pots tend to dry out faster than ground plantings. Be sure to keep an eye out for aphids as they can be a bit of a problem when it comes to indoor calla lily plants. Ensure that you fertilize your indoor lilies during their blooming season to stimulate the growth of more flowers. Typically, calla lily flowers’ blooming period begins to slow in the autumn months. At this stage, water them less frequently and allow their foliage to die back.
Once each plant has dried out, they will have a rest period for a few weeks. In late winter, repot the rhizomes in fresh soil and begin watering them to encourage fresh growth.
Outdoor Calla Lily Care
Outdoor calla lilies need to be watered when the soil gets slightly dry. However, take care not to overwater them as they dislike soggy soil. Typically, outdoor calla lily bulbs will start to sprout within eight weeks of planting – all they need is well-drained, porous soil.
Growing calla lilies is a fairly easy and straightforward process. Just be sure your lilies are in full sun or partial shade and that they are able to enjoy well-draining soil.
Are calla lilies perennials?
Yes, calla lilies are perennials. In mild climates, they can grow in the ground all year round.
When do calla lilies bloom?
Calla lilies bloom in the later months of spring and will continue blooming throughout summer.
Can calla lilies be planted outside?
Yes, calla lilies can be planted outside, where they will flourish in the right conditions. The plants also perform well indoors as they are relatively low maintenance.
How long do calla lilies last?
Calla lilies make an excellent addition to any bouquet or floral arrangement. Once cut, calla lily flowers can last for up to two weeks.
Are calla lilies toxic to dogs?
While calla lilies can be breathtakingly beautiful, they are unfortunately toxic to our canine friends. If a dog ingests part or all of the plant, they can experience a range of side effects depending on how much of the calla lily is ingested. Some of the side effects include gastrointestinal upsets, swelling of the tongue, lips or oral cavity, difficult breathing and swallowing and foaming at the mouth, to name a few.
Do calla lilies spread?
Being a bulb, calla lilies spread by multiplying and creating other bulbs. These calla lily bulbs can be dug up and replanted in different locations. While these plants spread, they do so in a manner which is quite easy to control.
How long do calla lilies live indoors?
In the appropriate climate, calla lilies can live all year round. For proper calla lily care, the plant should be allowed to die back for about two months every year. This will allow for the flowers to rest and come back with even better blooms in the next growing season.
Why don’t my calla lilies bloom?
There are three reasons why calla lilies typically don’t bloom. The first reason is perhaps due to a lack of correct calla lily care, and soil that contains too much nitrogen. This will result in a very green, lush plant without any flowers. If this is the case, replace your soil with one that is higher in phosphorus.
Another reason that calla lilies might not be blooming is due to a lack of water, which could stunt the growth of the plant. If your calla lily is not getting enough water, try to transplant it to an area with more water.
Another common reason for a lack of calla lily flowers is due to a lack of sunlight. If your plant is somewhere too shady, it will not bloom – if you suspect that this is the case, move your plant to a sunnier location.
Do calla lilies do well in pots?
Calla lilies can perform well in pots, but they need to be able to drain well so as to prevent any rot and fungal diseases.
How do you keep calla lilies blooming?
You can keep your calla lilies blooming by deadheading them whenever necessary. This will encourage the plant to flower more frequently.
A wonderful addition to any garden, these lilies are laden with symbolism and look fantastic in vases and floral arrangements too. Find out the fascinating origin of this flower according to Greek mythology in our article on the meaning of calla lilies.