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Zantedeschia

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
zan-te-DES-kee-uh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

There are 8 species and numerous cultivars of 'Calla lily'.  They are herbaceous, bulbous perennials with long, arrow-shaped leaves; some species have leaves with beautiful, window-like translucent spots.  The uniquely shaped flower heads, consisting of small flowers in a spadix surrounded by a spathe, make great cut flowers.  The spathe is usually white or green, but cultivars exist with yellow, pink, red, and purple hues.  They bloom from late spring to early summer.

These plants can be grown in full sun to 25% shade and prefer moist, humus-rich soil, doing well in boggy areas.  They may not perennialize during cold winters, so provide a thick organic mulch and prepare to dig the corms to store for the winter if grown outside in cooler climates.  They make good container plants and can be grown indoors.  When planting, cover the rhizomes to a depth of 2 in. (5 cm) and space 18 in. (45 cm) apart.  They can be propagated by separation of cormels or by sowing collected seed in the fall. 

'Calla lily' is a member of the Arum family and is poisonous if eaten.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Pond Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
    'Aethiopica' Full grown clumping form
  • 'Ailanthoides'
  • 'Albomaculata'
  • 'Galaxy'
  • 'Golden Sun'
  • 'Lavender Petite'
  • 'Nehmanii'
  • 'Pentlandii' Zantedeschia pentlandii
  • 'Pink Persuasion'
  • 'Whipped Cream'
'Aethiopica', 'Ailanthoides', 'Albomaculata', 'Galaxy', 'Golden Sun', 'Lavender Petite', 'Nehmanii', 'Pentlandii', 'Pink Persuasion', 'Whipped Cream'
Tags:
#purple#poisonous#rain garden#white flowers#pink flowers#low maintenance#tuberous#moist soil#spadix#rhizomes#summer bulbs#cutting garden#perennial#th-sight
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
    'Aethiopica' Full grown clumping form
  • 'Ailanthoides'
  • 'Albomaculata'
  • 'Galaxy'
  • 'Golden Sun'
  • 'Lavender Petite'
  • 'Nehmanii'
  • 'Pentlandii' Zantedeschia pentlandii
  • 'Pink Persuasion'
  • 'Whipped Cream'
'Aethiopica', 'Ailanthoides', 'Albomaculata', 'Galaxy', 'Golden Sun', 'Lavender Petite', 'Nehmanii', 'Pentlandii', 'Pink Persuasion', 'Whipped Cream'
Tags:
#purple#poisonous#rain garden#white flowers#pink flowers#low maintenance#tuberous#moist soil#spadix#rhizomes#summer bulbs#cutting garden#perennial#th-sight
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Zantedeschia
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa
    Bulb Storage:
    Store rhizomes or tubers dry at 50-60 degF (10-16 deg C). Take care not to injure the storage organs. Can overwinter in Zone 8 with mulch.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Flowers small, in a spadix surrounded by a (commonly) white spathe. Blooms in late spring to early summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Arrow-shaped, some with translucent spots
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Severe burning sensation and swelling of lips, tongue, and throat; stomach pain and diarrhea possible.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate crystals and possibly others.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems