Calla lily (arum lily) Zantedeschia aethiopica
Calla lily (arum lily) (Zantedeschia aethiopica) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Araceae family, native to Wet places in southern Africa (Cape to Eswatini). It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -9 °C (16 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Calla lily (arum lily) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Calla lily (arum lily) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Araceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -9 °C (16 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Wet places in southern Africa (Cape to Eswatini) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States |
| Invasive in | Australia (environmental weed in WA, NSW, Victoria), New Zealand (environmental weed), US (California coast, naturalised): check local rules before planting |
Is Calla lily (arum lily) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause painful mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Calla lily (arum lily)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Calla lily (arum lily) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Riverside botanical garden (16 plants)
Questions about Calla lily (arum lily)
- How far apart should I plant Calla lily (arum lily)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Calla lily (arum lily) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Calla lily (arum lily) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Calla lily (arum lily)?
- It tolerates about -9 °C (16 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Calla lily (arum lily) flower?
- From about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Calla lily (arum lily) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause painful mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
- What grows well with Calla lily (arum lily)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Calla lily (arum lily). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Tolerates standing water at the margins of ponds; foliage may die back in cold or dry spells and regrow.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Taro Colocasia esculenta
- Caladium (angel wings) Caladium bicolor
- Lacy tree philodendron Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
- Swiss cheese plant Monstera deliciosa
- Giant taro (elephant ear) Alocasia macrorrhizos
- Flamingo flower Anthurium andraeanum
- Tannia (malanga, yautía, cocoyam) Xanthosoma sagittifolium
- Elephant foot yam (suran, buk) Amorphophallus paeoniifolius