How to Plant Calla Lilies in a Pond (Care & Grow Guide)
by Tory Jon | Last Updated: November 15, 2022
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You can easily transform the appearance of your garden or pond with the calla lily! From its elegant, trumpet-shaped white flowers to the dark, emerald-green foliage forming a wavy pattern over the leaves, there is a lot to love about these aquatic plants.
You will find Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) growing abundantly from late spring through summer. The beautiful cut flowers from this plant can complement your interior décor, as well.
That said, it is important to note that all parts of the calla lily are poisonous, so keep the plant out of reach from children and pets.
For koi ponds, ensure that these pond plants are not submerged to depths where your fish could easily access and feed on them.
Common Names
Calla, arum lily
Plant Type
Light Requirements
Full Sun to partial shade
Hardiness Zones
USDA 8-11
Bloom
Late spring through summer
Grow Up To
12 to 24 inches
Flower Color
Most commonly white, but can also be found in pink, yellow, purple, and black
How To Plant Calla Lilies In A Pond
For best results, plant your calla lilies in moist soil in the boggy areas of your pond. The ideal planting depth is 2 inches. Calla lilies thrive in a moist environment, so be sure to water them during extended dry spells. They are better off in full sun, except for warmer zones where you may want to give them partial shade.
I recommend that you use extra-large fabric planters when putting your calla lilies in the pond. With heavy loam soil in the fabric planter, plant two to three calla lilies in the container. You can then place the container in the part of your pond where it will get the most sun. When placing in the pond, ensure that the water is about an inch above the roots.
You will get the best bloom and rich plants if you fertilize once a month, preferably June through August.
Calla Lily Care Guide
Since this aquatic plant is a perennial in the south (hardiness zones 8 or higher), you can leave your calla lilies in the ground during winter. However, they need to be in dry soil so they can go dormant. Moist soil may lead to the plant rotting.
Calla lilies are annuals in the north. So, you must lift the bulbs and store them indoors before the first frost. The best way to overwinter indoor is to simply let the plants go dormant by withholding moisture.
To do this, lift the plants gently from the soil, trim the dried foliage off, and air-dry the calla lily bulbs in a well-ventilated area before storing them. For best results, store the bulbs in a cool, dark area throughout the winter.
You should replant in the spring as soon as the frost is over.
Calla Lilies Care Card
Download our free printable care card for the Calla Lilies plant! Click the care card below and save the PDF file to your computer. You can easily print off the 3x5 care card or access it right from your phone. Get all the important information you need to keep your Calla Lilies plants healthy and happy!
Plus, we provide a blank card for you to print and fill out yourself. Print it as many times as you like to create cards for all your plants!
Pond Plant Care Card Set
