Calla Lily - A Plant of the Araceae Family
Published · Flower Resource
These flowers belong to Araceae family and are excellent Houseplant. The common name of this flower is arum lily, trumpet lily, Pig lily or Miniature Calla Lily. This flower is native to Southern Africa. The flowers are long petioled basal leaves that arise from thick rhizome. The trumpet shaped bract is covered with tiny flowers and surrounded by spadix. The flowers are 1 to 1 and half in diameter when they are fully grown and are 1 to 3 feet high. The leaves are of green color and are shaped like arrowheads that have white or silver speckles. Calla Lilies are available in different colors like classic white that are favorites for weddings, yellow, orange, lavender, dark maroon etc. The flowers have sword like foliage and stays attractive all season long.
The Greek meaning of the name of the flower simply means beautiful. These flowers signify beauty and magnificence and further it attributes according to the colors you choose. Thus calla lily can convey a wealth of meaning. This flower is also a symbol of rebirth and resurrection as in Northern hemisphere it blooms during Easter time.
Uses of Calla Lily
- These flowers are best for beds, borders, flower arrangements and bouquets.
- These flowers can add classy look to perennial gardens, container plantings and cutting gardens.
- Calla Lily is extremely toxic and should not be ingested.
- But the plant’s rhizome and underground stem has been used in many medicinal treatments.
- The stem and the rhizome are boiled in milk and a dressing is prepared for wounds.
- This flower is also a recurring motif in paintings and particularly in works of Georgia O’Keefe.
Interesting Facts
- These flowers inspire painters for their paintings and a bridal flower bouquet is best adorned with calla lilies.
- The flowers are called lilies but are not really lilies.
- The roots of Calla lily are poisonous.
- The blooming time of Calla lilies is late spring.
Soil Needed
- Calla lilies grow best when planted in loose and well drained soil.
- It requires full sun to partial shade in warmer climates.
How to Plant?
- You can easily grow Calla lilies from a bulb or rhizome.
- Plant Calla lilies deep for good size.
- Plant them inches deep and each bulb 12 inches apart.
- You can start by growing indoors in late winter and transplant them outdoors in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.
- The flowers require resting period after flowering.
- Let the leaves die and let the plant rest for 2 to 3 months.
- Resume watering to encourage new growth.
- You can plant the calla lily bulbs in spring once the soil has warmed.
Maintenance and Care
- Apply bulb fertilizer every month at the time of active growing season.
- Keep the plant well watered.
- Take rhizomes after first frost in cooler areas and clean the bulbs if there is soil.
- Dry them in direct sunlight for few days.
- Store the plant in dry location.