Bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with a calla lily plant! Many people love the look of these elegant flowers, but don’t know how to properly care for them indoors.
If you’ve been considering adding a calla lily to your home, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to keep it alive and thriving.
We’ll cover what benefits having a calla lily indoors offers, the types of calla lilies you can choose from, temperature and light requirements, soil needs, watering schedule, fertilizing and pruning tips, and how to manage common problems.
Read on to learn all you need to know about keeping calla lilies alive indoors!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Calla lilies can be kept alive indoors with proper care.
They prefer bright indirect sunlight, so place them in a spot that gets ample natural light.
Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy by watering when the top inch of soil is dry.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes so the plant isn’t sitting in water.
Finally, fertilize the plant every couple of months with a balanced fertilizer to ensure it has all the necessary nutrients.
Benefits of Keeping a Calla Lily Plant Indoors
The benefits of keeping a calla lily plant indoors are numerous.
Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they can also help to improve the air quality of a home or office.
Calla lilies are known to remove toxins from the air and promote healthier air quality, making them an ideal choice for those looking to improve the air in their space.
These plants also require minimal care and maintenance, making them a great choice for those who dont have a lot of time or energy to devote to a garden.
Finally, calla lilies are easy to come by, making them accessible to almost anyone looking to add a beautiful touch to their indoor space.
Types of Calla Lily Plants
Calla lilies come in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can pick the perfect one for your indoor garden. There are two main types of calla lilies: Zantedeschia aethiopica, or the common garden calla lily, and Zantedeschia rehmannii, or the mini calla lily. The common garden calla lily grows to heights of about 3 feet, with large, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of white, yellow, pink, and purple. The mini calla lily grows to about half the height of the common garden calla lily, and has smaller, star-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, and yellow. Both types of calla lily will thrive indoors with the proper care.
Temperature and Light Requirements
When it comes to keeping your calla lily plant alive indoors, temperature and light requirements are two of the most important factors to consider.
Calla lilies prefer temperatures between 65-75F (18-24C).
While they can tolerate temperatures as low as 50F (10C), they may not flower if the temperature is too low.
As for light, calla lilies should be placed in an area with bright indirect sunlight.
Avoid direct sunlight, as this can burn the leaves.
A spot near a south- or west-facing window is ideal.
You should also rotate the pot every few weeks so that the plant is exposed to an even amount of sunlight on all sides.
This will help to ensure that your calla lily remains healthy and vibrant.
Soil Requirements
When it comes to keeping a calla lily plant alive indoors, soil requirements are of the utmost importance.
Calla lilies require soil that is light and well-draining, as overly damp soil can cause root rot or other plant diseases.
Look for a soil mix that is formulated specifically for bulbs and corms, or create your own mix with equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
Additionally, you should add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil to ensure your calla lily gets the nutrients it needs for healthy growth.
Be sure to use a fertilizer specifically designed for bulbs, as regular fertilizer can be too strong and burn the plant.
Watering Schedule
Watering is essential to keeping your calla lily alive indoors.
The soil should be kept moist but not soaking wet; otherwise, the roots will start to rot.
Aim to provide your calla lily with 1-2 inches of water per week.
To do this, check the soil moisture level with your finger every few days.
If the top inch or two of soil feels dry, its time to give your plant some water.
Its also important to avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot and other problems.
If youre not sure how often to water your calla lily, err on the side of caution and check the soil moisture level every few days.
Additionally, make sure to water the base of the plant, rather than the leaves, to avoid disease.
Fertilizing and Pruning
When it comes to fertilizing and pruning calla lilies, its important to keep in mind that they are relatively low maintenance plants.
However, some special care may be necessary to ensure the health and vitality of your indoor calla lily.
Fertilizing should be done every 4-6 weeks using a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10.
This will provide the plant with the necessary nutrients to keep it healthy and thriving.
Pruning should be done in the spring to remove any dead or damaged foliage and encourage new growth.
Simply cut back the stems and leaves to the desired length, making sure not to take off too much.
When pruning, its important to take care not to damage the stem or leaves of the calla lily.
Pruning should be done with clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears and gloves should be worn to protect your hands.
After pruning, make sure to dispose of all clippings in a sealed bag and away from the plant.
Additionally, its important to watch out for any signs of pests or disease.
Calla lilies are susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.
If you notice any pests, treat the plant with an insecticidal soap or a suitable pesticide.
With the right care and attention, your calla lilies will thrive indoors and bring beauty to your home.
Regular fertilizing and pruning, along with the right soil, light, and water, will ensure that your calla lilies stay healthy and happy.
Common Problems With Indoor Calla Lilies
Taking care of calla lilies indoors can be tricky, as there are a few common problems that can arise if the plant is not properly cared for.
One of the most common issues is overwatering, which can cause root rot and can even kill the plant.
To avoid this, make sure you are only giving your calla lily about 1-2 inches of water per week and monitor the soil to make sure it is not overly saturated.
Additionally, make sure to water the plant at the base of the stem, rather than from the top, as this can cause the leaves to become too wet and lead to fungal diseases.
Another common problem is that calla lilies can become leggy if not given enough light.
Make sure to provide your plant with plenty of bright, indirect sunlight and rotate your pot every few weeks to ensure even growth.
Additionally, if the leaves start to yellow or wilt, move the pot to a spot with more light.
Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for pests, such as aphids, which can cause significant damage to your plant if not taken care of quickly.
If you see any signs of an infestation, take action immediately to remove the pests and treat the plant with an appropriate pesticide.
Final Thoughts
Calla lilies are beautiful flowering plants that make a stunning addition to any indoor garden.
With the right amount of sunlight, regular watering, and well-draining soil, your plant will be happy and healthy indoors.
You can also fertilize, prune, and rotate your pot every few weeks to ensure your calla lily stays strong and vibrant.
Now that you know how to keep a calla lily alive indoors, give it a try! With the proper care, your calla lily will be the centerpiece of your indoor garden.