Quick answer: Keep calla lilies moist during active growth, but reduce watering during dormancy. Identify the type before choosing winter care: hardy arum lilies and tender coloured callas need different treatment.
Identify your plant
Calla lilies belong to Zantedeschia. Zantedeschia aethiopica is generally hardier than the tender coloured hybrids. Check the nursery label; the common name alone does not establish hardiness.
Pots and watering
Use a suitable potting compost and a container with drainage. Water newly planted rhizomes sparingly until shoots appear, then increase watering as growth develops. Do not leave an indoor pot standing in water.
Feeding and flowering
Container-grown tender callas benefit from feeding during active growth. Remove faded flower stems to keep the display tidy.
Winter rest
Bring tender types into frost-free conditions. As foliage dies back during dormancy, keep watering minimal. Outdoor protection for hardy types depends on local winters and exposure.
For another flowering container plant, read our potted chrysanthemum guide.
Reference
RHS: Growing zantedeschia. Reviewed on 28 October 2026.
