Calla vs. Peace Lily

Calla and Peace Lily Flowers

• Calla lilies and peace lilies produce similar blooms. The part of the bloom that people think of as the flower is actually a modified leaf called a spathe. The tiny flowers are located on the spadix, which is the yellow spike at the center of the spathe. Peace lilies produce white spathes. Calla lilies can produce white spathes but are also available in a wide variety of colors from pastel pink and yellow to dark orange, red or purple. Both calla and peace lilies are available with variegated, splotched or marbled foliage colors.

Plant Sizes

• The mature height of calla lily plants ranges from 1 to 3 feet, depending on the variety. The pink-blooming Z. rehmannii variety grows to a mature height of 12 to 15 inches. Z. aethiopica grows to between 2 and 3 feet tall. The orange-blooming Mango cultivar has a mature height of 16 to 18 inches. Peace lilies can be anywhere from 1 to 6 feet tall with a width of 1 to 5 feet. The S. wallisii variety grows to a mature height of 3 feet.

Houseplants

• Calla lilies and peace lilies are both grown as houseplants. Peace lilies are more tolerant of low-light conditions, although they will bloom better with bright indirect light. Peace lilies are very good for cleaning toxins from the air. They remove ammonia, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Set calla lilies in very bright indirect sunlight in the house.

Outdoors

• Both types of lilies can be grown outdoors as well. Plant outdoor peace lilies in partial to full-shade. They are less cold hardy than calla lilies and can be left outdoors all year only in USDA hardiness zones 11 and 12. Move them to a heated location for the winter when temperatures begin to drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Plant calla lilies in full sun or partial shade and leave them outdoors throughout the winter only in zones 8 and above. Move outdoor calla lilies in zones 7 and below to a heated location before the first fall frost.