Calla Lily Care After Blooming: How to Grow and Store for Year-Round Beauty

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia), with their elegant trumpet-shaped flowers and bold foliage, have long enchanted gardeners and floral enthusiasts worldwide. What many might not realize, however, is that the beauty of calla lilies doesn’t end after their initial bloom. With proper care and storage, these flowers can continue to grace your garden or indoor spaces year after year.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about caring for calla lilies after blooming, how to prepare them for dormancy, and tips for storing them to ensure their return season after season.

Understanding Calla Lilies

Before delving into post-bloom care, it’s important to understand the basic nature of calla lilies. Native to Southern Africa, calla lilies thrive in warm climates but are also quite versatile. They’re perennial plants, meaning they can live for more than two years, especially with the appropriate care. They’re also available in a diverse palette of colors beyond the classic white, including shades of pink, purple, orange, and yellow.

After Blooming Care: What To Do When The Flowers Fade

Once your calla lily has finished blooming, it’s crucial to provide the proper care to ensure it continues to thrive. Here are steps to take post-bloom:

1. Deadheading: Once the flowers have faded, you should remove spent blooms. Deadheading not only maintains a tidy appearance but also prevents the plant from using energy to produce seeds, which redirects energy into the bulb for next year’s growth.

2. Maintain Foliage: While it might be tempting to cut back the entire plant, leave the foliage intact. The leaves are essential as they continue photosynthesis, storing energy in the bulb for future growth. Only remove leaves that are clearly yellowed and withered.

3. Adjust Watering: Calla lilies typically require a lot of water during their growing phase but should be watered less frequently once flowering has ceased. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings as this change signals the plant to enter dormancy.

4. Fertilization: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season. As blooming ends, reduce the feeding frequency to prevent stressing the plants as they move towards dormancy.

5. Watch for Pests: Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and spider mites. Remove pests by gently washing leaves or using insecticidal soap.

Preparing Calla Lilies for Dormancy

Calla lilies naturally enter a dormancy period, especially in cooler climates. Prepping your lilies for this stage requires some additional steps:

1. Cease Watering: Begin reducing and then completely stop watering as the plant winds down its growing cycle and enters dormancy.

2. Relocate Indoors or Protect Outdoors: In areas with harsh winters, it’s vital to lift calla lily bulbs from the ground after the first frost. For indoor calla lilies, move the pots to a cooler, darker place, which simulates a natural dormant phase.

3. Prune and Clean: Clip the foliage back to about two inches above the bulb using sharp, sterilized shears. This helps prevent any disease from creeping into the bulbs while they rest.

Storing Calla Lily Bulbs

Proper storage is crucial to ensure your calla lilies survive the winter and are ready to plant when the growing season returns.

1. Lifting Bulbs: Carefully dig up the bulbs using a garden fork or spade, taking care not to damage them. Shake off excess soil and inspect the bulbs for rot or damage. Remove any unhealthy parts to prevent disease spread.

2. Curing: Before storage, let the bulbs dry out in a warm, airy location for about a week. This curing process toughens the outer skin, reducing the likelihood of rot during storage.

3. Packing for Storage: Wrap the dried bulbs in newspaper or place them in a box filled with peat moss, sawdust, or vermiculite. These materials absorb excess moisture and maintain a consistent, dry environment.

4. Storage Conditions: Store the packed bulbs in a cool, dark location with temperatures ideally between 50-60°F (10-15°C). Avoid storing in damp places as this could encourage rotting.

Replanting Calla Lilies

With spring’s arrival, your dormant calla lilies are ready to be replanted, whether in pots or directly in your garden.

1. Soil Requirements: Ensure your planting area or pot has well-draining soil. Amending your soil with compost or peat moss can enhance drainage and nutrition.

2. Planting Depth: Plant the bulbs with the pointed end facing up, about 4 inches deep. Maintain a space of around 6-12 inches between bulbs to provide adequate room for growth.

3. Watering: After planting, water the bulbs thoroughly to settle them in their new environment. Once growth begins, regular watering can resume.

4. Fertilization: Once the first signs of foliage appear, begin a regime of balanced fertilization to support robust growth and blooming.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with meticulous care, issues can arise. Here’s how to spot and solve them:

1. Wilting or Yellowing: If your calla lily leaves start yellowing prematurely, check your watering routine. Overwatering or poorly draining soil can suffocate roots, leading to stress symptoms. Adjust watering practices and improve drainage as needed.

2. Lack of Blooms: If your calla lilies don’t bloom, inadequate light or insufficient nutrients could be the culprits. Ensure your plants receive plenty of indirect sunlight and maintain a consistent feeding schedule during the growing season.

3. Pests and Diseases: Aphids, spider mites, and fungal diseases such as root rot are common threats. Regularly inspect your plants, treat infestations promptly, and maintain good air circulation around plants to deter fungal growth.

Conclusion: Cultivating Lasting Beauty

By giving proper care to calla lilies after blooming, preparing them for rest, and storing them adequately, you nurture a cycle that allows their beauty to be enjoyed season after season. With each passing year, your efforts will be rewarded with stunning blossoms that continually adorn your spaces.

Remember, gardening is as much about perseverance as it is about patience and attention to detail. A healthy, thriving garden not only provides aesthetic pleasure but also a sense of accomplishment and connection with nature. With these insights on calla lily care, you’ll be well-prepared to foster flourishing growth that captures the attention and admiration of all who glimpse your cherished blooms.