What Type of Lily Has a Long Green Leaf Stalk?

Season

• Calla lilies are bulb perennials, and grow from bulb-like rhizomes that live for many years. Plant calla lily bulbs in fall or spring, depending on your growing region, for spring growth and summer blooming. Callas maintain their foliage through fall, then yellow and die back for winter dormancy.

Site and Soil

• Calla lilies grow best in sunny areas with quick drainage. The plants may not bloom in shade, but produce many flower flushes in full sunshine. Callas appreciate loose, nutritious and moist soil, and thrive with organic compost amendments.

Bulb Division and Protection

• As bulb plants, callas divide at the bulb and eventually crowd out their growing sites. Lift bulbs to divide them in fall and propagate new plants. Calla lilies are tropical plants and die in cold winters. Leave the bulbs in the ground year-round in warm U.S. Department of Agriculture Growing Zones 10 and 11, and lift and store the bulbs during winter in colder zones.

Standard Care

• Calla lilies do best with consistent moisture and may not bloom in dry soil. Give the plants at least 2 inches of water every week and use organic mulch to keep soil moist and warm. Cut calla blooms and take them inside for vases as they bloom to encourage continued flower production. Always remove wasted blooms to keep them from going to seed. Feed calla lilies with bulb-specific fertilizer and compost in spring to encourage drainage and nutrition for growing and blooming.