White Florist Calla Lily

Common as a wildflower in South Africa, the original calla grows even along roadsides in wet spots. If you have a moist place in your garden or yard, that’s perfect for this large plant. If not, put it in a big pot on the patio so you can give it plenty of water. It’ll give you magnificent blooms.

Growing Callas: Callas are native to South Africa, and today they’re not only easy to grow, but available in a literal rainbow of colors. Their fluted blooms and refined foliage make them a favorite for floral arrangements, but they also lend a sense of elegance to the landscape. Callas do best when sited in dappled or bright, yet indirect sunlight.

The common white one* is Zantedeschia aethiopica, and like all callas, it’s hardy in the US only in Zones 8 through 10. This makes callas ‘tender bulbs’ in most of the country, and they’ll have to be lifted out of the ground and stored indoors come fall. Zantedeschia aethiopica prefers moist soil and can even thrive when sited along stream banks and water features. Many people grow callas in patio pots, which can be brought in before frost arrives.

Most of the very colorful callas are a separate species, C. rehmannii, and these have more narrow leaves than the classic white type. If you haven’t grown callas, you may be surprised that these bulbs create a sizable plant. Sometimes the clumps grow 36′ high. Most all callas have pointed or heart-shaped foliage that’s dark green, spattered with white spots. The bulbs are irregular, sort of like ginger roots, and several can be planted in the same pot. They enjoy being root-bound. If you plant your bulbs in  spring, you’ll have flowers in about 70-112 days.