Description
Zantedeschia – Calla Lily – Arum Lily – Pig Lily
There are 28 tuberous rhizomes, perennials within the Arum family, which make up this genus. They are found naturally occurring in moist soils, swamps, or lake edges in South and East Africa. They are grown for their unusual, white or brightly colored funnel shaped spathes, which surround a finger like golden yellow spadices. Most bear lance shaped or narrowly to broadly arrow to heart shaped leaves. A number of hybrids have been developed.. Elliottiana hybrids have broadly heart shaped, usually mid to dark green leaves, covered in translucent white dots, and usually yellow spathes, 6” long, surrounding yellow spadices. Rehmannii hybrid have lance shaped, rarely spotted, mid to dark green leaves, and white to pink or dark purple spathes, 5” long, surrounding yellow spadices.
Z. aethiopica may be grown as a marginal aquatic. Where temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, grow as a houseplant, or plant out in summer. All parts may cause mild stomach upset if ingested, and contact with the sap may irritate the skin.
Under glass, grow in soil based potting mix in full light. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks until flowers fade. Keep just moist in winter. Outdoors, grow in humus rich moist soil in full sun. As a marginal aquatic, grow Z. aethiopica in an aquatic container 10-12” across, filled with heavy loam soil, in water 6-12” deep. Divide perennials in spring.
Prone to rhizome rot, bacterial soft rot, gray mold (Botrytis), rust and virus disease.
Z. aethiopica – White Arum Lily – Lily of the Nile –This clump forming, rhizomatous deciduous to semi evergreen perennial from South Africa and Lesotho grows 24-36” tall and wide. It produces semi erect, arrow shaped, glossy, bright green leaves, to 16” long. From late spring to mid summer, it bears a succession of large, pure white spathes, to 10” long, with creamy yellow spadices.
Zones 8-10
