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It’s generally very easy to grow these showy flowers, but when calla lily buds don’t open, you miss out on their beauty. Getting buds to open on callas is not typically difficult, but there may be a few easy-fix problems going on with your plant. Tweaking one or two things should help you get your blooms back.
Calla lilies are beloved for their elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms in vibrant colors like white, pink, yellow, and purple When cared for properly, they will reward you with an abundance of flowers However, sometimes calla lily plants fail to bloom as expected, which can be frustrating and disappointing for any gardener.
Not to worry! In this comprehensive guide, we will uncover the most common reasons behind no flowers on calla lilies and provide solutions to get your plants flowering again.
Why Your Calla Lily Has No Flowers
There are several key factors that can prevent calla lily plants from producing flowers:
Inadequate Sunlight
Calla lilies require full sun to partial shade to bloom well At least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight is optimal Too much shade will hinder flowering.
Improper Planting Depth
Bulbs planted too deep below 4 inches often will not flower. Plant bulbs at a depth of 2 times their height.
Lack of Dormancy Period
Potted calla lilies need 8+ weeks of cool, dry dormancy over winter. Lack of dormancy prevents energy storage needed for buds.
Dense, Poorly Draining Soil
Wet, compacted soil stresses roots and stops flower production. Callas require loose, humus-rich soil with excellent drainage.
Over-fertilization With Nitrogen
Too much nitrogen fertilizer fuels leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 instead.
Underwatering
Insufficient watering causes calla lily plants to wilt, yellow, and fail to bloom properly. They require consistently moist soil.
Forced Bulbs
Previously forced bulbs often won’t rebloom until they go through a full dormancy period.
Removal of Foliage Too Early
Taking leaves off in fall prevents bulb nutrient storage needed for next year’s flowers.
Fixes to Get Your Calla Lily Blooming Again
If your calla lily has no flowers, try these troubleshooting tips:
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Move to a sunnier location – Ensure bulbs get at least 4-6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Check planting depth – Replant any bulbs settled deeper than 4 inches.
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Provide dormancy – Give potted lilies 8-12 weeks cool & dry dormancy period over winter.
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Improve drainage – Loosen dense soil, add organic matter to improve drainage.
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Use balanced fertilizer – Avoid high nitrogen formulas, use 10-10-10 instead.
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Water thoroughly 1-2 times per week – Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated.
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Allow forced bulbs to rest – Give forced bulbs a full dormancy period before replanting.
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Leave foliage until it dies back – Don’t cut leaves until fully brown and shriveled in fall.
Optimizing Care for Maximum Flowers
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Plant bulbs in humus-rich, well-draining soil. Amend if needed.
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Site in full sun to partial shade (minimum 4 hours direct sun).
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Keep soil evenly moist through weekly deep watering.
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Fertilize monthly with balanced 10-10-10 or tomato feed.
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Allow foliage to die back fully before removing in fall.
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Give bulbs 8-12 weeks cool, dry dormancy period before replanting.
Troubleshooting Questions
How long until calla lilies bloom?
Callas typically bloom 12-16 weeks after planting bulbs or rhizomes when given proper care.
Do calla lilies bloom more than once?
Yes, with good care calla lilies will bloom repeatedly through the season and rebloom annually.
Why are my calla leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering. Allow soil to partly dry between waterings. Improve drainage if soil is wet.
When should I cut back calla lily leaves?
Never cut foliage until it completely browns and dies back in fall so bulbs can fully store energy.
How can I get my calla lily to bloom again?
Give bulbs a proper dormancy period. Ensure adequate sunlight. Keep soil evenly moist and use balanced fertilizer.
Revive Your Calla Lily’s Flowers
With a few simple fixes to care, lighting, and dormancy you can get a non-blooming calla lily bursting into gorgeous bloom once again. Pay close attention to proper planting techniques, soil quality, fertilization, and moisture. Then you can enjoy a sensational floral display from these classic beauties!
Why Doesn’t My Calla Lily Bloom?
As long as a calla lily is planted in the right spot and gets the right growing conditions, it should produce abundant blooms. On the other hand, if you have calla lilies not blooming, specifically if they bud but don’t open, then this may indicate a problem with the plants’ conditions:
- The soil where your plant grows may be too dense or may contain too much heavy clay.
- Your calla lily may be planted too deep in the soil.
- You may be overwatering or underwatering your calla lily.
- Your calla may need a little fertilizer to give it the necessary nutrients.
Another possibility for why your calla lily buds don’t open may be that it was forced to bloom early at the nursery. This may be the case if this is the first year you put the plant in your garden. If so, you will simply have to wait for next year to get more blooms.
Five Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Calla Lilies (Bulbs) and How to Plant Them for Early Flowering
FAQ
Why does my calla lily have no flowers?
Excess nitrogen in the soil, insufficient moisture, inadequate dormancy periods (should last at least 2-3 months), foliage removed too early (preventing the plant from storing enough energy), deficient calla lily rhizomes, and incorrect planting methods could also be responsible for the lack of flowers.
How do I get my calla lily to flower?
Dense or Heavy Soil
While calla lilies are generally easygoing about growing conditions, they do need healthy, loose, and well-draining soil to thrive and produce plenty of flowers. If your plants are lacking vigor or developing fewer blooms, poor soil composition or inadequate drainage could be the problem.
How to help a calla lily bloom?
- Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
- Provide bright, indirect light.
- Apply liquid fertilizer monthly while in flower.
- Keep away from heating and A/C vents.
- Reduce watering when the plant enters dormancy (November)
- Cut the leaves off at soil level once they’ve died.
What to do when lilies don’t bloom?