Zantedeschia aethiopica

Common Name:
Calla lily
Plant Type:
Tuberous perennial
Family:
Araceae (The Arum Family)
Geographic Origin:
South and Southern Africa
California Native?:
No

Plant Size:
4 feet high
Landscape/Garden Uses:
shade gardens
Flowering Season:
Spring and summer

Flower Color:
White
Exposure:
Sun or light shade
Soils:
Most soils

Suggested Irrigation:
Regular to occasional watering
Estimated Hardiness:
Hardy to 15 degrees F. or less

Zantedeschia aethiopica is the common white calla one sees in gardens old and new, now becoming widely naturalized along streams and rivers. It is prolific-and those who are struggling to limit its spread might say "weedy"--making numerous tiny offsets from each tuber annually. It grows as much as 6 feet tall and has huge, dark, arrow shaped leaves on thick stalks. The white flower spathe is up to 8 inches long, enclosing an orange-yellow spadix of nearly equal length. It makes a wonderful cut flower. Given ample water and protection from frost, this species may be both evergreen and nearly everblooming.