Calla Lily Care Indoors: How To Grow This Tropical Beauty As A Houseplant

Calla Lily Care Indoors: Growing Calla Lilies As Houseplants

Calla lilies are not true lilies, but are related to Caladium and Jack-in-the-pulpit that can grow up to 3 feet (91 cm) tall and 2 feet (61 cm) across. There are 8 species and numerous cultivars ranging in bloom color from yellow-gold to purple to burgundy to the more usual white.

White calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are native to Africa where they are considered weeds. Here they have come to be known to represent resurrection and rebirth, often featured in Easter arrangements as well as a traditional choice for funeral arrangements.

Do Calla Lilies Do Well Indoors?

If you have a tendency to over rather than under water your houseplants, the calla lily might be the houseplant for you. You might think of calla lilies as being the province of the outdoor garden, but a calla lily houseplant is easy to care for and rewards the grower with its stunning trumpet-shaped blooms. Calla lily care indoors may also be due to winter temps in your region since you can lift the plant from outside and overwinter it indoors. Keep reading to learn how to care for calla lilies indoors.

Calla lilies do very well as indoor houseplants. calla lilies do very well as indoor houseplants.

Calla Lily Indoor Care

In nature, callas are found in streams and ponds or along their banks. In the landscape they thrive in wet, boggy areas and can even be grown as semi-aquatic specimens. Conditions don’t have to be quite this wet for them to thrive as houseplants however.

Light

Grow calla lilies in at least 6 hours per day of bright indirect light. Full sun can cause the plant to become sunburned. Callas may grow leggy with insufficient light or foliage may burn with too much direct light.

Water

Calla lilies are rather diva-like when it comes to water. They like a lot of irrigation and yet too much will result in root rot. With that said, never let the plants soil dry out, this may mean watering once or twice a week. Make sure your container has good drainage holes since overly wet soil can foster fungal disease.

Temperature & Humidity

Calla lilies thrive in temperatures between 60-80 F (16-27 C) during the day and no lower than 55 F (13 C) at night.

They do like a significant amount of humidity which can be taken care of in a couple of ways. Situate the plant near a humidifier, mist the plant or place the container atop a saucer filled with water and pebbles.

Soil

Good quality, nutrient rich, well-draining potting soil.

Fertilizer

Calla lilies can bloom from 6-12 weeks depending upon the cultivar. In order to produce their large colorful blooms, they need plenty of nutrients, but like Goldilocks, just the right amount.

So when you fertilize your calla houseplant, err on the low side. That is, fertilize frequently but with dilute amounts of fertilzier. Use a 10-10-10 fertilizer, diluted by half the recommended amount every two weeks.

Problems, Pests & Diseases

As with all plants, indoor calla lilies are prone to some pests, but not as many as when grown outdoors. They may become afflicted with aphids, mites, and mealy bugs.

Because providing the right amount of water is paramount for successful calla lily growth, especially when grown in containers, the plant has a tendency to develop fungal diseases, specifically root rots.

Pruning

Prune the dying blooms from a calla lily and any dead or yellowing leaves as needed. Leave the healthy green leaves post bloom to continue to photosynthesize and store energy for the next years bloom.

Propagation

Calla lilies grow from rhizomes underground. To propagate them, simply dig the plant up and divide or separate the rhizomes. Repot or redistribute the separated rhizomes.

Callas can also be grown from seed, however, do not expect any flowers for another 2-3 years. To sow calla seeds, plant the seeds in the spring. Seeds should be sown 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart. Keep the seeded area moist and in an area of about 70 F (21 C).

Repotting

If you see rhizomes lifting out of the soil, its time to repot. Remove the plant from its existing pot and then carefully separate the rhizomes with sterile sharp shears or a knife. Repot the calla lily divisions separately outside or in additional pots.

Best Indoor Calla Lily Varieties

There are some calla lily varieties that are more suited for use as houseplants. Calla lily Morning Sun is a cheerful variety with sun-kissed hues of color, while Odessa callas bear deep purple almost black blooms.

Golden calla is a large bloomer, producing a 6-inch yellow flower atop white speckled foliage. Similar to Golden is Copacabana, another calla bearing sunny yellow blooms.

Other options include but are not limited to Picasso, Garnet Glow, Acapulco Gold, Pink, Beatrix, Captain Romance, and Black Magic.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Long Do Potted Calla Lilies Last Indoors?

Calla lilies will grow and bloom for about 3 weeks to several months. Once the bloom has died back, allow the plant to go into dormancy. This means quit watering, allow the foliage to die back, and place the plant in a dark area that’s below 50F (10 C) but above freezing. Just ignore it for 2-3 months and when the time has elapsed, bring it back into the light and warmth and begin to water and feed it.

Where Should You Put Calla Lilies Indoors?

Calla lilies like bright but indirect sunlight with average home temperatures. Do not place your calla in full sun. Keep it away from central heat or A/C vents which will dry the plant out too quickly.