How to Grow Calla Lilies as Houseplants for Stunning Tropical Blooms Indoors All Year

Calla lilies are not true lilies, but are related to caladium and Jack-in-the-pulpit that can grow up to 3 feet (91 cm) tall and 2 feet (61 cm) across. There are 8 species and numerous cultivars ranging in bloom color from yellow-gold to purple to burgundy to the more usual white.

White calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are native to Africa where they are considered weeds. Here they have come to be known to represent resurrection and rebirth, often featured in Easter arrangements as well as a traditional choice for funeral arrangements.

If you have a tendency to over rather than under water your houseplants, the growing a calla lily indoors might be perfect for you. You might think of calla lilies as being the province of the outdoor garden, but a calla lily houseplant is easy to care for and rewards the grower with its stunning trumpet-shaped blooms.

Quick Calla Lily Facts

Calla Lily Indoor Care

If winter temperatures in your region are too low to grow calla lilies outdoors all year, then you can lift the plant from outside and overwinter it indoors. Keep reading to learn how to care for calla lilies indoors.

Soil Requirements

In nature, callas are found in streams and ponds or along their banks. In the landscape they thrive in wet, boggy areas and can even be grown as semi-aquatic specimens.

Conditions don’t have to be quite this wet for them to thrive as houseplants however. A good-quality, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil like this potting mix from Miracle-Gro that's made specifically for houseplants is ideal.

Light Requirements

Grow calla lilies in at least 6 hours per day of bright indirect light. Full sun can cause the plant to become sunburned. Callas may grow leggy with insufficient light or foliage may burn with too much direct light.

Temperature & Humidity

Calla lilies thrive in temperatures between 60-80°F (16-27°C) during the day and no lower than 55°F (13°C) at night.

They do like a significant amount of humidity which can be taken care of in a couple of ways. Situate the plant near a humidifier, mist the plant or place the container atop a saucer filled with water and pebbles.

Watering

Calla lilies are rather diva-like when it comes to water. They like a lot of irrigation and yet too much will result in root rot. With that said, never let the plants soil dry out, this may mean watering calla lilies once or twice a week.

Make sure your container has good drainage holes since overly wet soil can foster fungal disease. Alternatively, these self watering pots from Amazon have drainage holes and a bottom watering design which will prevent root rot.

Fertilizing

Calla lilies can bloom from 6-12 weeks depending upon the cultivar. In order to produce their large colorful blooms, they need plenty of nutrients, but like Goldilocks, just the right amount.

So when you fertilize your calla lily houseplant, err on the low side. That is, fertilize frequently but with dilute amounts of fertilizer. Use a 10-10-10 fertilizer, diluted by half the recommended amount every two weeks. This houseplant food from Bonide is a good choice.

Transplanting

If you see rhizomes lifting out of the soil, it's time to transplant your calla lilies into a bigger pot. Remove the plant from its existing pot and then carefully separate the rhizomes with sharp, clean pruning shears or a knife.

Content Editor Kathleen swears by this soil knife from A.M. Leonard, which you can get on Amazon, for not only dividing plants, but a whole host of other gardening tasks as well.

Divide calla lilies and repot them separately outside or in additional pots.

Pruning

Deadhead faded calla lily blooms and any dead or yellowing leaves as needed. Leave the healthy green leaves post bloom to continue to photosynthesize and store energy for the next years bloom.

Use a good set of pruners, like the Felco F6 Hand Pruners from Amazon, for a quick, clean cut.

Best Indoor Varieties

There are some calla lily varieties that are more suited for use as houseplants. Calla lily 'Morning Sun' is a cheerful variety with sun-kissed hues of color, while 'Odessa' callas bear deep purple, almost black blooms.

'Golden' calla is a large bloomer, producing a 6-inch yellow flower atop white speckled foliage. Similar to Golden is 'Copacabana', another calla bearing sunny yellow blooms.

Other options include but are not limited to 'Picasso', 'Garnet Glow', 'Acapulco Gold', 'Pink', 'Beatrix', 'Captain Romance', and 'Black Magic'.

Propagation

Calla lilies grow from rhizomes underground. To propagate them, simply dig the plant up and divide or separate the rhizomes. Repot or redistribute the separated rhizomes.

Callas can also be grown from seed, however, do not expect any flowers for another 2-3 years. To sow calla lily seeds, plant the seeds in the spring. Seeds should be sown 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart. Keep the seeded area moist and in an area with a temperature around 70°F (21°C).

Common Problems

As with all plants, indoor calla lilies are prone to some pests, but not as many as when grown outdoors. They may become afflicted with aphids, mites, and mealy bugs.

Because providing the right amount of water is paramount for successful calla lily growth, especially when grown in containers, the plant has a tendency to develop fungal diseases, specifically root rot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Indoor Calla Lily Care Must-Haves