How to Plant Calla Lily Flowers

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) blossom in the late spring and early summer with bright or pastel shades of pink, red, purple, white and yellow cup-shaped blossoms. This variety of flower grows up to 30 inches tall with speckled, green leaves. Calla lilies are grown in containers, flowerbeds and borders. Calla lily flowers are commonly used as cut flowers, which will last for two weeks with plenty of fresh water. Calla lilies are planted in the spring when temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The lilies need 12 weeks of frost-free weather after planting.

Shovel
Compost
Fertilizer
Rake
Hand trowel
Calla lily rhizomes
Wood chips
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Clear an area in partial sun of all weeds, debris and grass. Calla lilies prefer morning sun and late afternoon shade. The soil should be moist to wet, since calla lilies like plenty of water.
- 2
  Loosen the soil to the depth of 12 inches with a shovel. Spread 3 to 4 inches of compost or manure on top of the soil. Mix this organic material into the loose soil.
- 3
  Mix 20-20-20 slow-release fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. Rake the soil smooth and level. Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches deep with a hand trowel. Place the calla lily rhizome, which looks like a small potato, in the hole. Adjust the depth of the hole so the top of the tuber is only 2 inches from the surface.
- 4
  Fill the hole with soil and do not compact it down over the top of the tuber. Plant the rest of the calla lilies 12 to 24 inches apart. Spread 1 inch of mulch-like wood chips over the calla lily planting area. The mulch will preserve the moisture in the soil.
- 5
  Sprinkle the area with water until the moisture reaches the depth of the tubers. Keep the calla lily bed moist. When the soil under the mulch begins to dry out, water again.

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