Calla Lilies

Calla Lily Winter Care: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Calla lilies are beautiful and elegant flowers that can add a touch of sophistication to any garden. However, these plants are not cold hardy, so they require special care during the winter months to ensure their survival. This article provides a comprehensive guide to calla lily winter care, covering everything from determining when and how to dig up the plants to storing and replanting them in the spring.

Winter Care for Calla Lilies in Warm Climates

If you live in USDA plant hardiness zone 8 or higher, your calla lilies can survive the winter outdoors in the ground. To care for them, simply mulch the spot where they grow and stop watering them for the winter. This will allow the plants to go dormant and rejuvenate themselves.

If your calla lilies are not performing well in a warm climate, you may need to follow the instructions for storing calla lily rhizomes for winter. This may be necessary if the plants are not getting enough dormancy.

Winter Care for Calla Lilies in Cold Climates

In USDA plant hardiness zones 7 and below, calla lilies will not survive the winter cold. Therefore, you will need to dig up the rhizomes of the plants for winter storage.

When to Dig Up Calla Lilies

The best time to dig up calla lilies is right after the frost has killed the foliage. This ensures that the plants have stored all the nutrients they can to survive the winter.

How to Dig Up Calla Lilies

1. Use a shovel to carefully dig around the base of the plant, taking care not to damage the rhizomes.
2. Once the rhizomes are exposed, gently lift them out of the ground.
3. Brush off any remaining dirt from the rhizomes, but do not wash them, as this can cause them to rot.
4. Cut off the foliage from the top of the rhizomes, leaving about 2 to 3 inches of the dead leaves.
5. Allow the rhizomes to dry in a warm, dry place for four to seven days. This process, called curing, helps the outer skin of the rhizomes to toughen up and survive the winter.

Storing Calla Lily Rhizomes

After the calla lily rhizomes have dried, place them in a paper bag or wrap them in newspaper. Store them in a cool, dry place, somewhere that stays around 50°F (10°C).

Replanting Calla Lilies in the Spring

In the spring, when the danger of frost has passed, you can replant your calla lily rhizomes.

1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil.
2. Dig a hole that is twice the width of the rhizome and just deep enough to accommodate it.
3. Place the rhizome in the hole with the芽 facing up.
4. Cover the rhizome with soil and water it well.
5. Mulch around the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Additional Tips for Calla Lily Winter Care

• If you live in a particularly cold climate, you may want to provide extra protection for your calla lilies during the winter. You can do this by covering them with a thick layer of mulch or straw.
• Calla lilies can also be grown in containers, which makes it easy to move them indoors during the winter months.
• If you are unsure whether your calla lilies are hardy in your climate, it is always best to err on the side of caution and dig them up for the winter.

Conclusion

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your calla lilies survive the winter and return to bloom beautifully in the spring.