Zantedeschia aethiopica
Flowers

Calla Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Calla Lily · Light: Partial sun · Water: High. Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

LightPartial sun
WaterHigh
DifficultyEasy to moderate
CategoryFlowers
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Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.

Calla Lily — Growing reference

Scientific nameZantedeschia aethiopica
Seed germination (days)21–42
Soil temperature for germination (°C)18.3–23.9
First harvest or flowering (days)90–180
Measured fromTransplant
Plant spacing (cm)45.7–61
Mature height (cm)61–91.4
Mature spread (cm)45.7–61
USDA hardiness zones8–10
LightPartial sun
WaterHigh
Sowing methodDivision

Growing directions

Plant rhizome divisions 2–3 inches deep in moist to wet, organically rich, slightly acidic soil in partial shade to full sun after last frost; calla lily is a South African native that produces some of the most architecturally perfect flowers in horticulture — large, flaring, pure-white spathe bracts surrounding a golden yellow spadix — on tall, succulent stems above glossy, broadly arrow-shaped, dark-green leaves. Plants bloom in spring and early summer in mild climates, tolerating seasonal wet feet and even standing water. In hot-summer climates they prefer afternoon shade; in cool coastal areas they thrive in full sun. After bloom, reduce water and allow foliage to yellow and die back. The colored-flowered Zantedeschia hybrids (yellow, pink, purple) are less hardy, requiring much drier summer dormancy conditions than the common white species.

Source and local conditions

Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

OpenPlantDB · zantedeschia

Source & verification

OpenPlantDB · CC0

Open reference source ↗