Caring for indoor calla lilies at home (+26 photos)

The elegant white calla lily is native to Africa, but despite its distant roots, it requires little care and is easy to grow at home, even for novice gardeners. It is also used to decorate interiors and create arrangements, as the flower's unique shape, combined with its white color, accentuates tenderness and purity.

Characteristics of calla flowers and their varieties

Calla lilies in nature aren't limited to white; there are varieties in other shades: black, blue, green, yellow, pink, and purple. They are grown in flowerbeds and gardens, as well as in homes and apartments. Regardless of shade and growing conditions, the plant has a distinctive appearance:

• the flower is located on a long leafless stem;
• the inflorescence consists of a spadix and a cover;
• long green leaves up to 11 cm wide;
• a funnel-shaped cover surrounds the cob;
• The cob is covered with small flowers.

The flower is unique in its structure and shape, which makes it recognizable throughout the world.

Callas are generally divided into white and colored varieties. They have different care and growing requirements, but the main varieties are as follows:

1. Calla elliotii is yellow with white speckles, with a 15 cm tall spathe and large, heart-shaped leaves. This plant thrives in full sun and abundant watering, and is propagated by tubers. Varieties include Vermeer, Black-Eyed Beauty, and Yellow Corner.

   

   

   

2. Calla Rehmanii is a bright, pinkish-red spathe, small in size up to 50 cm, propagated by tubers. Varieties: Vecherok, Chameleon, Indian Summer.

   

   

   

3. Ethiopian is a snow-white variety with flowers that widen toward the apex. It has long, arrow-shaped leaves and a nearly meter-long spathe, which distinguishes it from other species. Varieties: Pearl, Green Goddess, and Nikolai.

   

   

   

4. Marsh - the cover is white on the inside and greenish on the outside, grows in swamps and has a creeping rhizome, the plant is poisonous.

   

   

   

It should be clarified that 8 species of calla lilies have been discovered in nature, but only three of them have been cultivated and have become widespread.

Secrets and difficulties of caring for flowers at home

Since the plant isn't particularly demanding in terms of care and cultivation, there's no need to read volumes of literature about it. However, you should still arm yourself with the basics of growing it at home to avoid difficulties and disappointments.

Temperature and light

The optimal temperature for calla lilies in winter should be at least 14⁰C, and in summer 22-25⁰C is suitable.

Watering rules

Calla lilies thrive on moisture, so they need to be watered frequently to prevent the soil from drying out. You can also use a tray under the pot to provide an additional moisture source. Be sure to wipe and mist the leaves; they also need constant moisture. Be especially careful during the summer months, when temperatures are high and the soil dries out quickly, as under-watering can lead to disease and even death.

Top dressing

Fertilize the soil once a week; this is sufficient for growth and flowering. Avoid overfeeding. For example, excess nitrogen will cause the leaf edges to turn black first. Fertilizing is best done between January and March, using mineral fertilizers. It's also recommended to add organic fertilizer to the pot once or twice a year.

Wintering

Tuberous calla lilies shouldn't be left in the pot; they should be dug up after the leaves have wilted, cleaned, and overwintered. To do this, place them in a cool, dark place where the temperature shouldn't drop below 0°C. Also, keep an eye on the tubers' moisture levels to prevent them from drying out. Mist them with plain water from time to time. They can be stored in the refrigerator or on an insulated balcony. The tubers need about three months of rest.

Reasons for the absence of flowers and stimulation of flowering

On average, calla lilies bloom twice a year, usually in May and October, but they may stop producing flowers for several reasons:

• frequent moving from place to place;
• lack of nutrition in the form of fertilizers;
• poor lighting of the plant's growing area;
• improper care during the growing season;
• tuber growth.

To stimulate flowering, simply maintain the temperature and watering regimen essential for calla lilies. Also, remember to fertilize and allow the plant to rest for a period of rest, which will reward you with abundant blooms.

Diseases and pests

Despite its ease of care and beauty, like all plants, this species is susceptible to various diseases and pests. The most common ones are:

1. Gray mold is a fungal infection that causes gray mold to appear on leaves and flowers, leading to plant wilting. The main cause of this fungus is overwatering and high humidity. Plants can be saved in the early stages of infection by treating them with a systemic fungicide.

   

2. Root rot—the appearance of rotten spots on roots and tubers—is caused by excess moisture, nitrogen-rich fertilizers, and high temperatures. To save the plant, you can partially replace the soil with dry soil, stop watering for a while, and treat the roots with appropriate chemicals.
3. Bacterial rot is an infection caused by excess nitrogen, high room temperatures, or over-watered soil. It results in the bases of leaves and flowers rotting and becoming slimy. There's no way to save such a plant; it's important to avoid bacterial rot by taking preventative measures.

   

4. Aphids are small insects that feed on plant sap, causing leaves to become covered in a sticky coating, turn yellow, and curl.
5. Mealybugs are parasites that live in the axils of leaves. Their presence is characterized by the appearance of white, cotton-like formations all over the plant.
6. Anthracnose is the appearance of brown, circular spots on the surface of leaves, which eventually lead to wilting. At the first sign of the disease, remove the affected leaves and treat the plant with a fungicide. Adjust the watering schedule and location, as high humidity and temperatures are the primary triggers for this disease.

   

7. Spider mites cover the plant with a barely noticeable web, which leads to the death of the plant.

To get rid of pests, the plant should be immediately isolated from other plants and all exposed parts washed under running water. You can also rinse the leaves with a solution of laundry soap or garlic juice. If the plant has been severely damaged, appropriate pest control chemicals should also be added to the soil.

How to propagate and transplant calla lilies at home

Since calla lilies come in several varieties, the methods for dividing them also vary; there are three main methods for propagating them at home.

Tubers

Planting calla lilies with bulbs consists of the following steps:

1. Purchase your favorite variety in bulb form.
2. Choose a well-lit place for planting.
3. The planting process itself is standard, the planting depth in the pot is 5 cm.
4. The bulb is planted with the sprouting ends facing upwards.
5. When planting several tubers, you need to maintain a distance of 10-30 cm between them.
6. Wait for the plant to sprout and don’t forget to water it.

It is important not to leave the tubers outside over the winter, even in a pot, otherwise they will freeze and the flower will be lost.

By basal shoots

This method of vegetative propagation is only suitable for root callas and does not require any additional tricks.

In the spring, the flower's root system should be divided into several parts and planted in separate pots. By summer, they will have fully sprouted shoots and will become independent units.

Seeds

Propagating calla lilies by seed is not a very popular method, but it does exist, and you can try it if you wish:

1. Buy flower seeds in the store.
2. Place them on a damp paper towel, cover with another layer on top, and place in a cool, dark place. They will sprout in a few days.
3. Plant the sprouted seeds in the soil at a shallow depth and wait for the sprouts to appear.
4. Plant such seedlings in pots.

The uniqueness of this method lies in the fact that flowers grown this way may not be exact copies of their parents, and the resulting specimens may be interesting.

History of the flower and its signs

Calla lilies are also known as calla lilies for the shape of their petals, which resemble swan wings. The plant thrives on shady banks in its natural habitat, but is easy to grow in pots, as varieties have been specially modified for this purpose.

There's a well-known legend about the origin of the calla lily. In the ancient world, there were two tribes, and the leader of one decided to seize the territory and possessions of the other. At the beginning of the battle, the leader was so captivated by the beauty of a girl from the warring tribe that he promised to retreat if she would become his wife. Everyone in the tribe was satisfied with this outcome, and a wedding date was set.

The beautiful bride was dressed in snow-white robes and led to the altar, the path to which led past the sacrificial fire. The poor girl decided that burning would be easier than living with a man she didn't love, so she threw herself toward the fire, but was transformed into a beautiful white flower. Thus, the gods protected her from suffering and gifted the world with a symbol of innocence and purity.

Thanks to this legend, calla lilies are often used in bridal bouquets and wedding ceremonies. They are considered the protector of women and the guardian of the hearth.

In contrast to this theory, a widespread belief emerged that calla lilies bring death. This superstition has its roots in European countries, where it was traditional to bring these flowers to cemeteries. Another common belief is that calla lilies should not be grown at home, as they attract death.

In fact, the flower has positive energy, and its biochemical composition even contains elements that promote well-being, especially for people with heart disease. Esotericists also say that calla lilies absorb the energy of the home in which they are grown, and changes in it can predict what awaits the family under whose roof the plant grows.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Calla lilies are a very graceful and unusual flower that can be grown at home without much difficulty, as they are easy to care for. Regular watering and moistening of the leaves are essential to ensure this plant retains its healthy appearance and blooms. Calla lilies come in a variety of colors, so you can always choose the variety that suits you best.