Planting Calla Lilies

Growing Conditions

In Zones 8-10, or other warm climates, calla lilies can grow all year round. Everywhere else, plant them in spring, or once the outside temperature stays at 55 degrees or above and there is no danger or frost returning (at least for the 12 weeks immediately following planting).

Planting

Callas love lots of bright, morning light and on hot summer days, love afternoon shade as well, so plant them in an area where they can receive both. They need to grow in well-moisturized soil that has good drainage and some organic compost material. If the area you need to plant it doesn't have good drainage, you can amend it with peat moss, ground bark or decomposed manure. This will raise the soil level a few inches and help with your drainage issues. Calla lilies are pretty strong as far as bulbs are concerned but will not survive sitting in a pool of water. Make sure that the around the lilies is kept weeded.

The bulbs need to be planted at a depth of about a half a foot, and between 1 and 2 feet apart. Make sure that the tops of the tubers are exposed when you finish planting. If you look at the tuber, some of its sides look like they have potato eyes on them. The "potato eyes" side is the part that should be facing up when you put it in the ground. When you're finished planting, give the bulbs a heavy soaking. Fertilize them one every 4 weeks.

Removing the Bulbs for Winter

Remove the bulbs from the ground prior to cold weather season and the first frost. Clean them off and keep them in a dry, dark place where the temperature remains a minimum of 55 degrees F. You can store them in peat moss-filled paper bags.

With this guide, your calla lilies will be a beautiful member of your garden for many seasons to come.