Posted on April 25, 2022 (Updated on July 26, 2025)

How do you winterize calla lilies?

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How to Winterize Calla Lilies: Keeping the Trumpets Blooming Year After Year

Calla lilies. Aren’t they just gorgeous? Those elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers can really elevate a garden or brighten up an indoor space. But here’s the thing: these beauties, originally from sunny South Africa, aren’t exactly fans of the cold. So, if you live where Jack Frost pays a visit, you’ve got to give them a little extra TLC to see them thrive again next spring. Whether they’re nestled in your garden beds or living the good life in containers, knowing how to winterize them is key. Trust me, it’s not as daunting as it sounds!

Understanding Your Calla Lily’s Needs (and Quirks)

Calla lilies are happiest in USDA zones 8-10. Think balmy weather. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of those areas, you can pretty much leave them be over winter, just with a bit of mulch and a hands-off approach to watering. They’ll naturally go dormant, which is basically their way of taking a long winter’s nap. But if you’re anywhere colder than zone 7, leaving them to fend for themselves is a no-go.

Now, dormancy is a big deal. It’s when your calla lily chills out, conserving energy for a spring comeback. You’ll know it’s happening when the leaves start to yellow and fade. Don’t panic! It’s all part of the plan.

Getting Your Calla Lilies Ready for Their Winter Rest

Think of this as prepping them for a long journey. Here’s the lowdown:

  • Ease Off the Water (and the Food): Come late summer or early fall, start cutting back on the watering and ditch the fertilizer altogether. This is like telling them, “Okay, time to wind down!”
  • Let the Leaves Do Their Thing: Resist the urge to tidy up too soon! Let those leaves turn yellow and brown naturally. They’re actually sending all their goodness back down to the rhizome (that’s the underground bulb), which is crucial for winter survival.
  • Give ‘Em a Trim: Once the leaves are totally brown and crispy, go ahead and cut them back to a few inches above the soil. This helps prevent any nasty rot or pests from moving in.

    • Winterizing In-Ground Calla Lilies (Lucky Zone 8-10 Folks!)

    If you’re in a warmer zone, winterizing is a breeze:

  • Chop, Chop!: After the first frost, cut back the foliage to ground level.
  • Blanket Them with Mulch: Pile on a few inches of mulch (straw or leaves work great) over where they’re planted. This is like tucking them in with a warm blanket.
  • No More Drinks: Seriously, stop watering them until spring.

    • Overwintering Calla Lily Rhizomes (For the Rest of Us)

    Okay, this is where a little more effort comes in, but it’s totally worth it:

  • Dig ‘Em Up: After the first frost, when the leaves are gone, gently dig up those rhizomes. Use a garden fork or spade, and be super careful not to damage them. I always feel like I’m unearthing buried treasure!
  • Clean ‘Em Off (Gently): Brush off any dirt, but don’t wash them! Washing can lead to rot, and nobody wants that.
  • Let Them “Cure”: Find a warm, dry spot with good airflow and let the rhizomes sit there for about a week or so. This helps their outer skin toughen up, protecting them from rot during storage. Think of it as letting them air dry.
  • Store Them Safely: Now, find a cool, dark, and dry place where the temperature stays between 50-60°F (10-15°C). A basement, garage, or even a cool closet can work.
    • Storage Strategy: Pop them in a paper bag or cardboard box lined with newspaper. Or, you can bury them in slightly damp peat moss, vermiculite, or even sawdust. Just make sure they’re not touching each other to avoid any rot spreading.
  • Keep an Eye on Them: Throughout the winter, give them a checkup every now and then.
    • Uh Oh, Rot!: If you see any soft or mushy spots, carefully cut them away with a clean knife. Dust the cut with fungicide and replace the storage medium.
    • Too Dry?: If they look shriveled, lightly mist the storage medium with water. Just don’t overdo it!

    • Container Calla Lilies: Two Ways to Overwinter

    If your calla lilies are living in pots, you’ve got a couple of options:

  • The Rhizome Route: Treat them like in-ground plants and dig up the rhizomes for indoor storage.
  • Container Dormancy: Stop watering, move the whole pot to a cool, dark, and dry spot, and let them snooze in their container. In late winter or early spring, start watering again to wake them up.

    • Spring is in the Air!

    When spring rolls around and the last frost is a distant memory, it’s time to bring your calla lilies back to life:

  • Replant Those Rhizomes: If you stored them separately, replant them in pots or in the garden.
  • Water Slowly at First: Start with a little water and gradually increase it as they start growing.
  • Give Them Food: Once they’re actively growing, start feeding them monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Find the Perfect Spot: Put them in a spot with partial shade to full sun, depending on how hot your summers get.

    • A Few Extra Tips

    • Know Your Zone: Always double-check your hardiness zone to make sure you’re doing the right thing for your area.
    • Moisture is Key (But Not Too Much!): Keep a close eye on moisture levels during storage to avoid rot or drying out.
    • Pest Patrol: Before storing, give those rhizomes a good look to make sure no unwanted guests are hitching a ride.
    • Label, Label, Label!: If you’re storing different types of calla lilies, label them so you don’t get them mixed up in the spring. Trust me, it happens!

    Winterizing calla lilies might seem like a bit of a chore, but it’s so worth it when you see those gorgeous blooms popping up again next year. Happy gardening!

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