Question: When to plant calla lilies bulbs?

Do calla lilies come back year after year?

Many people treat their gift calla lilies as annuals. They receive a potted flower, or buy them for spring decorating, and then toss it when the blooms are done. In truth, though, calla lilies are perennials and you can actually save your potted plant and watch it bloom again next year.

Should I soak calla lily bulbs before planting?

Calla lilies make good container plants outside or indoors as long as you keep them thoroughly damp. Use a high-quality potting mix and soak it well before planting. Containers dry out much faster than garden soil, so check the soil moisture often in hot weather and in sunny areas.

How do you plant calla lilies outside?

Slide a spade under the plants at a depth of 4 to 5 inches (10-13 cm.) to avoid damaging the rhizomes. Place them in the holes so that the soil line is even with the surrounding soil. Calla lilies are ideal for landscaping garden ponds, where they thrive in water up to 12 inches (30.5 cm.) deep.

Can calla lilies be left in the ground over winter?

Calla lilies are not cold hardy. This means that calla lily winter care in some gardens will be different from other gardens. If you live in USDA plant hardiness zone 8 or higher, your calla lilies can survive the winter outdoors in the ground and do not need to be dug up.

Where is the best place to plant calla lilies?

Calla Lilies grow in full sun or partial shade. Full sun is best in cool summer areas but part shade is preferred in hot summer areas. Calla Lilies perform best in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils.

Are calla lilies poisonous to dogs?

The peace lily, calla lily, amaryllis, lily of the valley, autumn crocus and the common houseplant, giant Dracaena or palm lily, are all deemed dangerous to dogs by the ASPCA. Ingestion of lilies can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, anorexia and tremors.

How deep do you plant calla lily bulbs in pots?

Calla lily rhizomes grow best when planted 1 inch (2.5 cm.) deep and 1-2 (2.5-5 cm.) apart. Pots for calla lilies should be at least 10-12 inches (25-30 cm.)

How deep should calla lilies be planted?

Calla lilies are typically planted in the spring. However, wait until the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed sufficiently before planting calla lilies. Calla lilies should be planted rather deep, about 4 inches (10 cm.) for greater results, and spaced approximately a foot apart.

How do you keep calla lilies blooming?

Switch your fertilizer to one that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen to make calla lilies bloom. If your calla lilies are not planted in an area that gets plenty of water, this may be causing them not to bloom.

Will calla lilies spread?

Calla lilies are bulbs. They spread through their roots but only if planted in partial shade.

When can I plant calla lilies outside?

WHEN TO PLANT: Calla lilies should be planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. In cold climates it’s best to wait until the soil has warmed to at least 65°F. For a head start, you can plant the rhizomes in pots indoors about a month before planting them into the garden.

What time of year do calla lilies bloom?

Calla lilies may be transferred indoors at the first freeze and replanted outdoors each spring. If left in the ground, the plants are considered annuals because the roots will die when frozen. The flowers bloom in the late spring and throughout the summer.

What do I do with calla lilies in the winter?

Calla lilies will overwinter outdoors in Zones 9-11, but in most places they need to overwinter indoors. If you’ve grown the plants in pots, you can simply move the pots inside to a dark location for the winter without having to dig at all. Just repot them in fresh soil in spring.

Do you deadhead calla lilies?

Calla lilies don’t require regular pruning, but you should deadhead the flowers as they wilt. Removing parts of the plant should not kill it. Cut them back at the soil level and dispose of any plant debris, and they’ll come back in the spring.

When can I divide calla lilies?

When to Divide Callas

Most growers prefer to divide calla lilies in spring, especially in warm climates where you can leave the rhizome in the ground year round. In cooler areas, you might prefer to divide the rhizomes in late summer or fall when you dig them up for winter storage.