Can You Keep Calla Lilies Inside? A Complete Indoor Care Guide

Calla lilies, with their elegant trumpet-shaped blooms and vibrant leaves, are a popular choice for indoor gardening. Their exotic beauty and longevity make them an ideal houseplant. But can you successfully grow calla lilies indoors? The answer is yes – with the right care and conditions, calla lilies can thrive inside your home.

An Overview of Calla Lily Care Indoors

Calla lilies are not true lilies, but are in the Araceae family along with Anthurium and Peace Lily There are around 20 species, with colors ranging from white, yellow, pink, burgundy and purple The most common variety grown indoors is Zantedeschia aethiopica, featuring white blooms.

Here’s a quick overview of caring for calla lilies as houseplants:

• Light Bright indirect light. Avoid direct sun.

• Water Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy Water 1-2 times per week

• Temperature: Ideal range is 60-80°F. No lower than 55°F at night.

• Humidity: Mist leaves or use a humidifier to boost moisture levels.

• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix.

• Fertilizer: Diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during growth.

• Pruning: Remove spent blooms and yellowing leaves.

With the right conditions, calla lilies can thrive indoors for years. They have a relatively long bloom period of 4-8 weeks. Now let’s explore their care in more detail.

Providing the Right Light for Indoor Calla Lilies

Bright, indirect light is ideal for calla lilies grown inside. Place them near an east or west-facing window where they’ll receive ample daylight but be sheltered from intense midday sun. A sheer curtain can help filter direct sunlight.

Insufficient light will cause leggy, sparse growth. On the flip side, too much hot sun can scorch the leaves. Try to aim for around 6 hours of bright light per day. Rotate the pot regularly so all sides receive equal light exposure.

Supplement with artificial lighting if needed. Grow lights can boost available light during winter months or in low-light rooms.

Watering Calla Lilies Properly

As moisture-loving plants, calla lilies demand frequent watering. However, you’ll need to strike a balance and avoid oversaturation.

Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. During the active growth period, this usually means watering once or twice per week. Check by sticking your finger in the soil to gauge moisture.

Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Empty any water that collects in the saucer after 30 minutes. Good air circulation will also help reduce humidity levels.

Misting the leaves occasionally will increase humidity around the plant. You can also set the pot on a pebble tray filled with water.

Providing Ideal Temperatures for Calla Lilies

Calla lilies prefer consistent warmth, above 60°F during the day and no lower than 55°F at night. Keep them away from drafty windows or vents blowing hot or cold air directly on them.

During winter when indoor temperatures drop, you may need a portable heater or grow lights to maintain the ideal range. Moving the plant to a warmer room can also help.

Temperatures above 80°F are tolerated but may cause stunted growth. Cooler temperatures below 50°F can damage the plant, causing leaves to yellow or brown.

Humidity Needs for Indoor Calla Lilies

Native to tropical regions, calla lilies appreciate high humidity. Dry indoor air can cause leaf tips to turn brown.

Use a room humidifier to keep moisture levels above 50% humidity. Group plants together to create a moist microclimate.

Misting the leaves daily also adds humidity. Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, keeping the pot elevated above the water line.

Shade the plant from hot sunlight to reduce moisture loss from the leaves. Open windows on humid days to allow moisture inside.

Using the Right Potting Mix

Calla lilies need a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Use a quality potting mix formulated for indoor container plants. Or make your own mix containing compost, peat moss or coconut coir, and perlite.

Add sand or small gravel to improve drainage if your potting mix retains too much moisture. Re-pot in fresh soil annually to replenish nutrients.

Select a container with drainage holes to allow excess water to flow out. This prevents soggy soil that can lead to root rot.

Fertilizing Calla Lilies for Healthy Growth

To fuel growth and flowering, calla lilies need regular feeding. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half strength. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer.

Slow down feeding in fall and winter during the dormant period. Excess nutrients when the plant is not actively growing can cause problems.

If leaves are small or new growth is stunted, increase feeding frequency. But avoid over-fertilizing which can burn the roots.

Typical Problems with Indoor Calla Lilies

With proper care, calla lilies are relatively trouble-free. But they can encounter a few common issues:

• Drooping leaves – Underwatering is the usual cause. Check soil moisture and water adequately.

• Spindly growth – Insufficient light causes leggy stems. Move to a brighter location.

• Leaf scorch – Direct hot sun burns the leaves. Provide shade from intense midday sun.

• Root rot – Overwatering causes fungal disease. Allow soil to partially dry before re-watering.

• Pests like aphids, mealybugs, mites – Isolate and treat with insecticidal soap spray.

• Lack of blooms – Too much nitrogen fertilizer prevents flowering. Use a balanced fertilizer.

Caring for Calla Lilies After Blooming

The showy blooms of calla lilies last around 4-8 weeks. As flowers fade, promptly deadhead spent blooms. Removing old flowers prevents seed pod formation which drains energy from the plant.

Keep watering and fertilizing normally as the plant finishes flowering. Leave the healthy foliage in place – don’t cut back the leaves. Photosynthesis from the leaves produces energy to fuel next year’s bloom.

Once all blooms finish, the plant may enter a dormant period. Reduce watering but don’t let it dry out completely. Discontinue fertilizing. Prune away any dead or yellowing leaves.

In spring, resume normal care to spur new growth. Repot in fresh soil if roots are crowded. Calla lilies often rebloom year after year when given proper care.

Caring for Calla Lilies in Winter

As calla lilies enter dormancy in late fall, gradually reduce watering. Stop fertilizing until spring. Once the foliage fully dies back, stop watering altogether.

Place the dormant plant in a cool spot around 50-60°F. A basement or garage works well. Store tender rhizomes and tubers in peat moss or vermiculite in a dark, dry area.

Don’t allow temperatures to dip below freezing, which can kill the plant. Check monthly and water just enough to keep rhizomes from shriveling.

In early spring, move the plant to a warmer area and resume watering. New growth will soon emerge, signaling the time to start fertilizing again.

Tips for Growing Calla Lilies Year After Year

With proper seasonal care, calla lilies can be grown as perennials lasting many years. Here are some tips:

• Allow the plant to go dormant for 8-12 weeks in winter. This conserves energy for reblooming.

• Repot annually or when crowded. This prevents nutrients from becoming depleted.

• Divide congested rhizomes and re-plant sections every 2-3 years. This stimulates growth.

• Prune spent blooms and old leaves regularly. Removing dead growth improves appearance.

• Provide bright, indirect light year-round. Inadequate light decreases flowering.

• Water thoroughly and allow soil to partly dry before re-wetting. Maintain humidity.

• Fertilize actively growing plants, but reduce feeding in fall and winter.

Enjoying Calla Lilies as Striking Indoor Plants

With abundant water, plenty of light, and warm temperatures, calla lilies can thrive inside your home for years on end. Their graceful flowers and attractive foliage make them a wonderful choice for beginners or experienced houseplant growers alike. By providing the proper care outlined above, anyone can succeed in growing calla lilies indoors.