Don’t let your calla lilies droop! Caring for them indoors is surprisingly simple with the right light, water, and soil. Follow these essential growth tips to enjoy their elegant blooms all year round.
Ever brought home a stunning calla lily, only to watch its elegant trumpet-like flowers sadly wilt after a week? You’re not alone! Many indoor gardeners find these beauties a bit tricky to keep happy. But don’t despair! With a little knowledge and these easy-to-follow tips, you can transform from a hesitant plant parent into a confident calla lily caretaker. We’ll guide you through everything, from finding the perfect sunny spot to making sure they get just the right amount of drink. Get ready to enjoy vibrant, long-lasting blooms that will brighten any room.
Your Guide to Thriving Indoor Calla Lilies
Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are popular for their striking, elegant flowers and lush, green foliage. While they are native to South Africa and often grown outdoors in warmer climates, they can absolutely thrive indoors with the right conditions. The key is to mimic their natural environment as closely as possible within your home.
Understanding Calla Lily Needs
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s quickly touch on what makes a calla lily tick. These plants are rhizomatous, meaning they grow from underground stems called rhizomes. They prefer bright but indirect light, consistent moisture (but not soggy feet!), and nutrient-rich soil. They also naturally go through a dormant period, which is completely normal and a crucial part of their life cycle.
Essential Growth Tips for Indoor Calla Lilies
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of keeping your calla lily happy indoors. It’s all about providing the right environment and consistent care.
1. The Perfect Potting Mix
Calla lilies need a well-draining potting mix to prevent root rot. A good starting point is a peat-based potting soil amended with perlite or coarse sand. Aim for a mix that feels light and airy, allowing water to flow through easily rather than becoming waterlogged.
- Why it matters: Soggy soil is the quickest way to kill a calla lily indoors. Their rhizomes are prone to rotting if they sit in water for too long.
- DIY Mix: Try mixing 2 parts all-purpose potting soil with 1 part compost and 1 part perlite. This creates a lovely balance of nutrients and drainage.
- Commercial Options: Look for potting mixes specifically designed for houseplants or flowering plants. You can also find cactus or succulent mixes that often have excellent drainage.
2. Choosing the Right Pot
The pot material and size are also important:
- Material: Terracotta pots are excellent for indoor calla lilies because they are porous and allow excess moisture to evaporate through the sides. This helps prevent overwatering. Plastic pots are also usable, but you’ll need to be extra careful with your watering schedule.
- Drainage Holes: This is non-negotiable! Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. If a decorative pot doesn’t have them, you can use it as a cachepot (outer pot) and keep the calla lily in a regular pot with drainage inside.
- Size: Calla lilies don’t need excessively large pots. A pot that is only slightly larger than the rhizome or root ball is ideal. A pot that’s too large can hold too much moisture, increasing the risk of root rot. For a blooming plant, a 6- to 8-inch diameter pot is usually sufficient.
3. Watering Wisely
This is perhaps the most critical aspect of calla lily care. They like consistently moist soil, but never waterlogged.
- When to water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. You can stick your finger into the soil to check.
- How much to water: Water thoroughly until you see water draining from the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess water that collects in the saucer after about 30 minutes.
- Water quality: Calla lilies can be sensitive to chemicals in tap water, such as chlorine and fluoride. If you notice brown leaf tips, consider using filtered or distilled water, or let tap water sit out overnight before using it to allow some of the chemicals to dissipate.
- Seasonal adjustments: During the growing season (spring and summer), you’ll water more frequently. In fall and winter, especially during dormancy, reduce watering significantly.
4. Sunny Spot is Key: Light Requirements
Calla lilies absolutely love light! To encourage blooming and healthy growth, they need plenty of bright light.
- Ideal placement: Place your calla lily in an east- or west-facing window where it will receive several hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. A bright south-facing window can also work, but you might need to diffuse the light with sheer curtains to prevent the leaves from scorching.
- Signs of too little light: If your calla lily is leggy with weak stems, or not producing flowers, it’s likely not getting enough light.
- Signs of too much direct sun: If the leaves turn yellow or develop brown spots, it might be getting too much intense, direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day.
5. Temperature and Humidity
Calla lilies prefer moderate temperatures, typical of most homes.
- Ideal range: They thrive in temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Avoid placing them near drafty windows, heating vents, or air conditioners that can cause drastic temperature fluctuations.
- Humidity: While they appreciate a bit of humidity, most home environments are sufficient. If your home is particularly dry, especially in winter, you can increase humidity by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensure the pot isn’t sitting directly in the water) or using a room humidifier. Misting isn’t generally recommended as it can encourage fungal issues on the leaves.
6. Feeding Your Calla Lily
During the active growing season (spring through fall), feeding your calla lily will help promote strong growth and abundant blooms.
- Fertilizer type: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or one formulated for flowering plants.
- Frequency: Feed your plant every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer months. Stop fertilizing in late fall and winter.
- Dilution: Always dilute the fertilizer according to the package instructions. It’s better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize, which can burn the roots.
7. Understanding Calla Lily Dormancy
Calla lilies naturally go through a dormant period, usually after blooming, and often in the fall or winter. This is not a sign of a problem, but a natural resting phase.
- What to expect: During dormancy, the plant’s leaves may start to yellow and die back. This is normal!
- How to handle it: Reduce watering significantly, only watering enough to keep the soil barely moist. Stop fertilizing completely. You can either let the pot sit in a cool, dry place or remove the rhizome from the soil, clean it, and store it in a dry medium like peat moss or vermiculite in a cool, dark place (around 50°F or 10°C).
- Reawakening: After 2-3 months of dormancy, or when you see signs of new growth, you can repot the rhizome (if stored) or resume regular watering and feeding for the plant in its pot.
Troubleshooting Common Calla Lily Problems
Even with the best care, you might encounter a few issues. Here’s how to tackle them:
Yellowing Leaves
This is a common issue with calla lilies and can have a few causes:
- Overwatering: The most frequent culprit. Check the soil moisture and ensure good drainage.
- Underwatering: If the soil is consistently dry and the plant is wilting, it might need more water.
- Natural aging: Older leaves at the base of the plant will naturally yellow and die back. Simply trim these off at the base.
- Nutrient deficiency: If other signs of healthy growth are present but leaves are yellowing, a lack of nutrients might be the issue. Fertilize as recommended.
- Dormancy: As mentioned, yellowing leaves are a sign that the plant is entering its dormant phase.
Wilting or Drooping
Drooping calla lilies can be heartbreaking, but again, it often comes down to watering:
- Thirsty plant: If the soil is dry, give it a thorough watering and it should perk up within a few hours.
- Overwatered plant: If the soil is soggy, this indicates potential root rot. You may need to repot the plant into fresh, well-draining soil and trim away any mushy, black roots. Reduce watering frequency going forward.
- Lack of light: A plant not getting enough light can become weak and droopy.
No Flowers?
If your calla lily is healthy but refuses to bloom:
- Insufficient light: This is the most common reason. Ensure it’s in a bright spot.
- Needs a rest: The plant might be too established and needs to go through a dormant period to prepare for new blooms. Allow it to go dormant, then revive it.
- Over-fertilizing: Too much nitrogen can encourage foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
- Pot size: Sometimes, calla lilies bloom better when slightly pot-bound. If it’s in a very large pot, consider moving it to a slightly smaller one after its current growing cycle.
Repotting Your Calla Lily
Calla lilies generally don’t need frequent repotting. Doing it too often can disrupt their growth cycle and even trigger dormancy. Aim to repot every 2-3 years, ideally during spring before new growth begins.
Steps for Repotting:
- Choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one.
- Gently remove the calla lily from its current pot.
- Inspect the roots. Trim away any dead or mushy roots.
- Place a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix in the bottom of the new pot.
- Position the plant or rhizome in the new pot, ensuring the top of the rhizome is just below the soil surface or at the same level it was before.
- Fill in with more potting mix, gently firming around the plant.
- Water lightly and place in a location with bright, indirect light.
For more in-depth guidance on best practices for potting mixes and containers, you can refer to resources from university extension offices, such as this one on container gardening from Clemson University’s Home & Garden Information Center.
Calla Lily Varieties for Indoor Growing
While the classic white ‘Zantedeschia aethiopica’ is the most common, many other beautiful varieties are well-suited for indoor growing. These often come as smaller bulbs (rhizomes) and are categorized by their flower colors — ranging from deep purples and reds to vibrant yellows and pinks. These smaller varieties may require slightly different care, particularly regarding light intensity and watering during their active growth phases. They are often grown from bulbs purchased in fall or early spring for indoor bloom.
| Variety Type | Typical Flower Color | Size | Indoor Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Zantedeschia aethiopica’ (Common Calla Lily) | White | Large (up to 3ft) | Excellent, but may require more space and brighter light for flowering. Known for its dormancy cycle. |
| Miniature Hybrids (e.g., ‘Baby Bliss’, ‘Picasso’) | Pink, Yellow, Purple, Bicolor | Small to Medium (6-18 inches) | Very well-suited for pots and smaller spaces. Often bloom more readily indoors. Ensure good light. |
| ‘Captain’ Series (e.g., ‘Captain Surprise’) | Red, Orange, Pink | Medium (1-2ft) | Good choice for indoor pots. Provide ample light for vibrant colors. |
When purchasing calla lily rhizomes or bulbs, look for firm, plump specimens with no soft spots or mold for the best chance of success. Planting these is similar to planting the larger ‘Zantedeschia aethiopica’, focusing on well-draining soil and bright light.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indoor Calla Lily Care
Q1: How often should I water my indoor calla lily?
Water your calla lily when the top inch of soil feels dry. This can be about once a week, but always check the soil moisture first. Ensure the pot drains well and never let it sit in water.
Q2: Can calla lilies tolerate low light conditions?
No, calla lilies need bright, indirect light to thrive and bloom. If you don’t have a very bright window, they may struggle to flower and can become leggy.
Q3: My calla lily’s leaves are turning yellow and dying. Is it sick?
Yellowing and dying leaves can be normal as the plant ages or prepares for its dormant period. If happening during the growing season, check your watering habits (too much or too little) and consider if it needs feeding. If it’s fall or winter, it’s likely entering dormancy.
Q4: How do I encourage my calla lily to bloom?
Ensure it receives adequate bright, indirect light, consistent moisture (but not soggy soil), and is fertilized during its growing season. Sometimes, allowing the plant to go through its natural dormancy period is necessary for it to re-bloom.
Q5: Can I grow calla lilies from bulbs indoors?
Yes, you absolutely can! Purchase calla lily bulbs (rhizomes) in the spring or fall from a reputable supplier. Plant them in well-draining soil about 4-6 inches deep, and water sparingly until you see signs of growth, then adjust to regular care for bright light and consistent moisture.
Q6: What is the best type of fertilizer for calla lilies?
A balanced liquid fertilizer (like 10-10-10) or one formulated for flowering plants works well. Dilute it and feed every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer growing season only.
Q7: How do I care for a calla lily during its dormant period?
During dormancy, reduce watering significantly to keep the soil barely moist, stop fertilizing, and move the plant to a cooler, dry location. You can also remove the rhizomes, clean them, and store them in a dry medium in a cool, dark place until ready to replant.
Conclusion: Nurturing Elegance at Home
Caring for calla lilies indoors is wonderfully rewarding. By paying close attention to their needs for bright, indirect light, consistent watering, well-draining soil, and appropriate feeding, you can enjoy their sophisticated beauty year after year. Don’t be discouraged by the occasional yellow leaf or wilting stem; these are often signs that you’re learning your plant’s unique rhythm, including its natural dormancy. Embrace the process, observe your plant, and
