Calla

Characteristics and flowering of the Calla

When it comes to colour, the Calla offers endless variety: white, soft pink, deep purple, lime green, sunny yellow, fiery orange-red or even almost black. The majestic spathe, which is actually one large petal, wraps around a yellow or cream-coloured flower spike covered in tiny flowers.

Thanks to its long, smooth stem (40–80 cm), the flower looks particularly striking in minimalist single-variety bouquets. The Arum Lily belongs to the Araceae family, which also includes the Anthurium and Spathiphyllum.

Callas are usually harvested before the spathe has fully opened. Each stem flowers once, after which new spathes grow from the tuber. In a vase, they slowly unfurl into an elegant tulip shape. Potted and garden varieties begin flowering in May and can continue until September, depending on the temperature and light levels.

Caring for Callas

An Arum Lily is surprisingly resilient, provided you treat it the right way. The guidelines below will help you enjoy its elegant spathes for as long as possible.

Light

• Place the Calla somewhere with plenty of daylight, but avoid harsh, direct midday sun.
• A cool windowsill facing north or east is ideal.
• Too little light results in weak spathes, while too much sun causes discolouration.

Water

• Keep the potting soil evenly moist, but never waterlogged. Allow the top centimetre to dry out slightly before watering again.
• In the garden, the Calla thrives in humus-rich, slightly acidic soil that stays moist during summer.
• Do not leave water standing in the saucer, as this can cause root rot.

Feeding

• From April to August, give it half-strength liquid feed for flowering plants every two weeks.
• Stop feeding as soon as the leaves begin to turn yellow: this signals the start of the dormant period.

Calla species & varieties

Growers generally distinguish between two main groups:

1. The classic white Calla (Zantedeschia aethiopica), with large spathes and vigorous growth, making it ideal for gardens and larger vases.
2. Coloured varieties, often referred to as ‘coloured Callas’, which are available in almost every shade imaginable and remain more compact; perfect for smaller vases around the home.

Within these groups, you’ll find countless cultivars varying in height, spathe size and colour intensity. Simply choose the colour and length you like best.

Is Calla toxic?

Is the Calla toxic to people and animals? Yes, the Calla is toxic to people and animals. All parts of the Calla contain calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested, these crystals can irritate the mouth and throat of both people and pets. Skin contact with the sap may cause a mild, itchy reaction. Keep the vase out of reach of children and cats, and wear gloves when handling cut stems. If swallowed: rinse the mouth, give water and consult a doctor or vet.

Calla symbolism

Traditionally, the Calla symbolises purity, compassion and beauty. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans associated the cup-shaped flower with celebrations, happiness and abundance. Today, Arum Lilies are often seen at weddings, where they represent purity, and at memorial services, where they convey respect and sympathy. A white Calla is an understated expression of innocence, while deep purple shades symbolise luxury and passion.

Origins of the Calla

The Calla originally comes from the marshy regions stretching from South Africa to Malawi. During the rainy season, these valleys flood; in the dry season, they turn into parched, cracked ground. This harsh cycle has made the Arum Lily particularly resilient.

In the nineteenth century, European plant collectors brought the tubers to England, where Victorian women fell in love with the ‘exotic Lily’. Growers in the Netherlands and France perfected the species for cut-flower and pot cultivation and introduced countless colour mutations.