How do you keep calla lilies blooming?

Keeping Calla Lilies Happy: A Gardener’s Guide to Non-Stop Blooms

Calla lilies! Aren’t they just gorgeous? Those elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers and lush green leaves make them a total showstopper, whether you’re growing them indoors or out. I’ve always been a sucker for them, and over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to keep them blooming their hearts out. So, if you’re wondering how to get your calla lilies to put on a real floral display, you’ve come to the right place.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Light and Location

These beauties are all about that bright, indirect light. Think dappled sunlight, not harsh rays. I learned this the hard way when I put one of mine on a south-facing windowsill and ended up with scorched leaves – not a pretty sight! An east-facing window is usually perfect indoors, giving them a gentle morning kiss of sunshine. If you’ve only got a super sunny spot, just hang a sheer curtain to soften the light.

Outdoors, they like a bit of shade, especially if you live somewhere with scorching summers. They still need their sun fix – at least six hours – but keep them sheltered from that intense afternoon heat. If yours are in pots, you can always play musical chairs and move them around as needed to find that perfect balance.

Getting Down and Dirty: Soil and Planting

Calla lilies are happiest in soil that’s rich and drains well. Soggy roots are their worst enemy, trust me! I once lost a whole bunch to root rot because I didn’t pay attention to drainage. So, if you’re planting them in the garden, work in some compost or other organic matter to lighten up heavy soil.

For pots, a good quality potting mix is key. I like to mix regular potting soil with a bit of perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. And make sure your pot has drainage holes – you’d be surprised how many don’t!

When planting the rhizomes (those funny-looking bulb things), tuck them in about 1.5 to 2 inches deep, with the pointy bits facing up. If you’re planting a bunch together, give them a few inches of breathing room. In pots, a couple of rhizomes in a 10-inch pot looks nice, or one in a smaller 6-inch pot.

Quenching Their Thirst: Watering

Calla lilies like their soil to be consistently moist, like a wrung-out sponge. Don’t let them dry out completely, but definitely don’t let them sit in water. Overwatering is a surefire way to cause root rot. I usually stick my finger in the soil – if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water. Yellowing leaves are a big red flag that you’re overdoing it.

They’ll need more water during the growing season, especially if it’s hot and dry. But ease up on the watering in the fall as they start to go dormant.

Giving Them a Boost: Fertilizing

These guys are hungry plants, especially when they’re putting on all that growth and those gorgeous flowers. I like to give them a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Something like a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 mix is great. You can also use organic fertilizers like compost or bone meal. Bone meal is fantastic for helping them develop strong roots and lots of flowers.

Just a word of caution: don’t go overboard with high-nitrogen fertilizers, or you’ll end up with a ton of leaves and not many flowers. And once they start blooming, lay off the fertilizer altogether. That’ll help the flowers last longer.

Keeping it Comfy: Temperature and Humidity

Calla lilies are happiest when the temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They like warm days and cool nights, which makes sense since they’re originally from Africa.

They also love humidity. If you’re growing them indoors, try using a humidifier or misting them every now and then. It’ll make them feel right at home.

Taking a Break: Dormancy

This is a big one! Calla lilies need a rest period in order to bloom again. After they’re done flowering, the leaves will start to turn yellow and die back – don’t panic, it’s totally normal! Just cut back on the watering and let the foliage die down completely.

If they’re in pots, trim the foliage to the soil level and stick them in a cool, dark place (around 40-50°F) for a couple of months. Water them just enough to keep the rhizomes from drying out completely.

If you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to dig up the rhizomes before the first frost and store them indoors for the winter. Cut off the foliage, trim the stem, and store them in a box with peat moss or sawdust in a cool, dry place.

In late winter or early spring, repot them in fresh soil and put them in a warm spot to wake them up and get them growing again.

Keeping Things Tidy: Pruning and Deadheading

Keep an eye out for dead or faded flowers and yellowing leaves, and snip them off. This keeps the plant looking good and encourages new growth. I always use clean, sharp scissors to avoid spreading any diseases. Deadheading (removing the spent flowers) is also important because it tells the plant to focus on making more flowers instead of seeds.

Staying Healthy: Pests and Diseases

Calla lilies are pretty easygoing, but they can sometimes get bothered by pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. If you see any of these critters, treat them right away with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Root rot is another common problem, especially if you’re overwatering. So, remember to ensure good drainage and don’t let them sit in soggy soil. They can also get other diseases like bacterial soft rot, botrytis, powdery mildew, and leaf spot, but these are less common.

The Bottom Line

Growing calla lilies is totally doable, even if you don’t have a green thumb. Just give them the right light, soil, water, and a little bit of TLC, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of blooms year after year. Happy gardening!