Crown of Thorns is a resilient succulent known for its thorny stems and long-lasting colorful blooms. Native to Madagascar, this plant thrives in bright light and warm conditions, making it a great choice for sunny indoor spaces. Its drought-tolerant nature means it prefers less frequent watering compared to many houseplants. With the right environment, it can bloom throughout much of the year. Read the full guide to learn how to help your Crown of Thorns grow strong and vibrant.
Calla Lily (Zantedeschia species) is an elegant flowering plant admired for its smooth, trumpet-shaped blooms and lush green foliage. The flowers rise above the leaves on tall stems and have a graceful, sculptural shape that makes them stand out in both indoor and garden settings. Their clean lines and refined appearance have made Calla Lilies popular in floral arrangements, home décor, and even wedding bouquets.
Native to southern Africa, Calla Lilies naturally grow in warm regions with seasonal rainfall. The plant forms clusters of broad, arrow-shaped leaves that create a full, vibrant base for its flowers. While the classic variety produces white blooms, modern cultivars can display a range of colors, including pink, yellow, orange, purple, and deep burgundy.
Because of their striking blooms and relatively compact growth, Calla Lilies are often grown indoors in pots or outdoors in warm garden beds. With proper light, careful watering, and the right soil conditions, these plants can bloom beautifully and become a stunning focal point in any plant collection. In this blog, you will learn how to care for Calla Lilies, including their light, watering, soil, and temperature needs to help them grow and flower successfully.
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LIGHTING
Calla Lilies grow best in bright, indirect light, which helps support strong growth and vibrant blooms. Placing the plant near a sunny window indoors usually provides the right level of brightness. Gentle morning sunlight is generally well tolerated, but strong afternoon sun may be too intense and can scorch the leaves or cause them to fade.
When grown outdoors, Calla Lilies perform well in partial sun or light shade. They benefit from several hours of sunlight each day, but some protection from harsh midday sun helps maintain healthy foliage and longer-lasting flowers. Locations that receive morning sun and afternoon shade are often ideal. If the plant does not receive enough light, growth may become weak and flowering may be reduced. Leaves may appear smaller, and the plant may produce fewer blooms.
WATERING
Calla Lilies prefer consistently moist soil, especially during their active growing and flowering period. Unlike many houseplants, they do not like to dry out completely. The soil should feel slightly moist but not soggy. Water the plant when the top layer of soil begins to dry, making sure the soil stays evenly moist.
When watering, allow the water to soak through the soil until excess moisture drains from the bottom of the pot. Good drainage is important because standing water around the roots can lead to rot. Pots with drainage holes and a well-draining soil mix help maintain the right moisture balance.
During the blooming season, Calla Lilies may need watering more frequently because they use more moisture to support flower production. After flowering, the plant may enter a natural resting period. At that time, watering can be reduced slightly to match the plant’s slower growth.
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TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Calla Lilies grow best in moderate to warm temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. These conditions help support healthy foliage and steady flower development. Extremely high heat can stress the plant and shorten the life of the blooms, while temperatures below 50°F may slow growth and damage the leaves.
Stable temperatures are important for Calla Lilies. They should be kept away from cold drafts, air conditioners, and sudden temperature changes. If grown outdoors, they perform best in mild climates where temperatures remain relatively consistent.
Calla Lilies also appreciate moderate humidity, which helps keep the foliage fresh and prevents the leaves from drying at the edges. Average household humidity is often sufficient, but slightly higher humidity can encourage healthier growth. If indoor air is very dry, especially during winter, placing a humidifier nearby or grouping plants together can help improve the environment.
SOIL AND FERTILIZER
Calla Lilies grow best in rich, well-draining soil that can retain some moisture without becoming waterlogged. A high-quality indoor potting mix works well, especially when combined with materials like perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. The soil should stay lightly moist but allow excess water to drain away easily to protect the roots.
Using a pot with drainage holes is important to prevent standing water at the bottom of the container. Although Calla Lilies enjoy consistent moisture, soil that stays overly wet for long periods can lead to root rot.
During the active growing season in spring and summer, regular feeding can support healthy foliage and strong flower production. A balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength every 3–4 weeks is usually sufficient. This provides the nutrients needed for steady growth and blooming. After the flowering period ends and the plant begins to slow down, fertilizing can be reduced or stopped. During the plant’s resting phase, it requires fewer nutrients.
TOXICITY
Calla Lilies are considered toxic if ingested. Like many plants in the Zantedeschia genus, they contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth, throat, and digestive system when chewed or swallowed. In pets such as cats and dogs, ingestion may lead to symptoms like drooling, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing.
The sap can also cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals. For this reason, it is a good idea to wash your hands after handling the plant, especially after pruning or repotting. Because of this toxicity, Calla Lilies should be kept out of reach of pets and small children.
EXTRA CARES
POTTING AND REPOTTING
Calla Lilies benefit from occasional repotting to provide fresh soil and enough space for their roots to grow. In most cases, repotting every 1–2 years is sufficient, especially if the plant is grown in a container. Signs that repotting may be needed include roots growing out of the drainage holes, crowded rhizomes, or slower growth.
The best time to repot Calla Lilies is at the beginning of the growing season in spring. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one and make sure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. Fresh, well-draining potting mix will help support healthy root development and steady growth.
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When repotting, gently remove the plant from its container and loosen the root ball. If the rhizomes have multiplied, they can be carefully separated and replanted in individual pots. Place the rhizomes just below the soil surface and water lightly after planting. After repotting, keep the plant in bright, indirect light and maintain evenly moist soil while it adjusts to its new container.
PROPAGATION
Calla Lilies are most commonly propagated through division of their rhizomes, which are the thick underground stems that store nutrients and produce new growth. This method is simple and usually done when repotting the plant.
The best time to propagate Calla Lilies is during spring, at the beginning of the growing season. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently separate the rhizomes, making sure each section has at least one healthy growing point or “eye.” Each division should also have some roots attached to help it establish more quickly.
Once separated, plant the rhizomes in fresh, well-draining potting mix. Place them just below the soil surface with the growing points facing upward. Water lightly after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while the new plants begin to establish. Place the newly planted divisions in bright, indirect light and maintain warm temperatures to encourage growth.
PRUNING
Calla Lilies do not require heavy pruning, but occasional trimming helps keep the plant healthy and looking tidy. Removing yellowing, damaged, or old leaves allows the plant to direct its energy toward new growth and flower production.
During the blooming season, faded or spent flowers can be cut back to the base of the stem. This process, often called deadheading, helps keep the plant looking neat and may encourage additional blooms. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make clean cuts and reduce the risk of plant damage.
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After the flowering period ends, some leaves may naturally begin to yellow as the plant prepares for a resting phase. At this stage, trimming away dying foliage can help maintain the plant’s appearance and prevent potential pest issues.
FLOWERING TIPS
Calla Lilies are known for their elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms that usually appear during spring and early summer. Under the right conditions, each plant can produce several flowers that last for many weeks. The blooms are not only beautiful but also long-lasting, making Calla Lilies popular both as houseplants and as cut flowers.
Calla Lily flowers come in a variety of colors depending on the variety. While the classic type is pure white, modern cultivars may produce blooms in pink, yellow, orange, purple, burgundy, or even near-black shades. The colorful part that looks like a petal is actually a modified leaf called a spathe, which surrounds the small central flower spike.
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Bright light is one of the most important factors for encouraging flowering. Plants that receive bright, indirect light throughout the day tend to produce stronger stems and more blooms. Insufficient light may result in healthy foliage but few or no flowers.
Consistent moisture and regular feeding during the growing season can also support flowering. Keeping the soil evenly moist and applying a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during spring and summer helps provide the nutrients needed for bloom production.
After the flowering period ends, Calla Lilies often enter a natural resting phase. During this time, growth slows and the leaves may begin to fade. Reducing watering and allowing the plant to rest for several weeks can help it store energy.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Calla Lilies are generally easy to grow, but a few common issues may appear if their care conditions are not ideal. Most problems are related to watering, light, temperature, or pests.
One of the most common issues is yellowing leaves, which is often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Calla Lilies prefer consistently moist soil, but soil that stays too wet can damage the roots and lead to rot. Using well-draining soil and containers with drainage holes helps prevent this problem.
Another concern is reduced flowering. If the plant produces plenty of leaves but very few flowers, it may not be receiving enough light. Calla Lilies need bright conditions to bloom well. Moving the plant to a brighter spot or ensuring it receives consistent light during the growing season can improve flowering.
Brown leaf edges or drooping leaves may occur when the plant is exposed to very dry air, strong direct sunlight, or inconsistent watering. Keeping the soil evenly moist and protecting the plant from harsh afternoon sun can help maintain healthy foliage.
Calla Lilies may also attract common houseplant pests, such as spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs. These pests usually appear on the undersides of leaves and can weaken the plant if not treated early. Regularly checking the leaves and maintaining good airflow around the plant can help prevent infestations.
