How to Raise Calla Lily

Remove the weeds and rocks from the planting area. Calla lilies prefer a planting site in full sun to partial shade. Dig the soil up to the depth of 6 to 8 inches with a shovel. Break the large soil clumps up with a garden hoe.

Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of well-rotted manure over the soil. Add a 1-inch layer of sand on top of the manure. Mix these two soil amendments into the loose soil.

Dig the planting holes with a hand trowel deep enough so the top of the calla lily bulbs will be 2 inches below the surface. Space the lilies 18 inches apart. Cover the lily bulbs with soil and water the soil to the depth of 3 to 5 inches.

Keep the planting area free of any weeds that will compete for nutrients and moisture in the soil. Once the calla lilies are fully grown, the abundant amount of leaves will shade out the weeds.

Water the soil whenever the ground around the plants begins to dry out. Dig near a plant with a hand trowel and check to make sure the water has reached the depth of at least 3 inches. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season even after the blooming is finished. The white-spotted leaves stay beautiful until the first fall frost when supplied with plenty of water.

Dig the calla lily bulbs up with a shovel in the fall after the foliage begins to die. Cut the leaves back with a sharp knife to 2 to 4 inches and place in a bin full of peat moss. Store in a dry area with temperatures between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Calla lily bulbs suffer damage and death when winter temperatures dip below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.