Can you grow calla lily in water? Yes, but only the right type. The white arum calla, Zantedeschia aethiopica, grows as a marginal water plant in up to 12 in (30 cm) of water, according to NC State Extension. Colorful hybrid callas need drained soil and a dry winter rest, so keep them out of standing water.
Key takeaway: Grow white calla lily in water at a pond edge or in a sealed container with the crown above the water line. Hybrid callas rot when waterlogged. All callas are toxic if eaten, so keep them away from pets and small children.
| Calla type | Standing water? | Winter care |
|---|---|---|
| White arum calla (Z. aethiopica) | Yes, as a marginal, up to about 12 in (30 cm) deep | Hardy to about USDA zone 8; bring in pots in colder areas |
| Colored hybrid callas (Z. elliottiana, Z. rehmannii hybrids) | No; need drainage | Dry dormant rest; lift rhizomes in cold areas |
| Cut calla stems | Yes, in a vase | Not applicable; fresh water every few days |
Which Calla Lily Grows in Water?
Only Zantedeschia aethiopica, the large white arum or calla lily, is a true bog and marginal plant. The Royal Horticultural Society says it is the only calla to grow in shallow water, in a planting basket no deeper than 1 ft (30 cm). Hybrid callas in pink, yellow, orange and purple are not suited to calla lily in water culture.
Check the plant tag before you buy. If it lists a color hybrid or “Zantedeschia hybrid,” grow it in pots of well-drained mix instead. For other options, see our list of plants that grow in water.
How Deep Should Calla Lily Be in Water?
Set a white calla lily in water so the pot or rhizome sits under 2–12 in (5–30 cm) of water while the crown, where leaves emerge, stays at or above the surface. Penn State Extension master gardeners advise keeping the crown above water. Start shallow and lower the pot slowly as the plant settles.
- Pot the rhizome in heavy garden loam or aquatic soil, not light potting mix that floats.
- Top with gravel about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep to hold soil in place.
- Place on a shelf so water just covers the pot rim at first.
- Lower over weeks to a depth of up to about 12 in (30 cm), keeping the crown dry.
- Watch growth: yellowing new leaves can signal it is too deep.
How Do You Grow Calla Lily in Water Indoors?
To grow calla lily in water indoors, use a watertight container without drainage holes, a pot of heavy soil inside it, and enough water to keep the soil saturated. Give bright light, ideally a sunny window or a grow light, and keep temperatures between about 60–75°F (16–24°C). Top up water as it evaporates.
- Container: a glazed pot, bucket or tub 12–18 in (30–46 cm) wide.
- Water level: 1–3 in (2.5–8 cm) above the soil surface is easy to manage indoors.
- Water changes: replace about a quarter of the water every week or two to keep it fresh.
- Feeding: use aquatic fertilizer tablets pressed into the soil in spring and summer.
- Mosquitoes: change water often or use mosquito dunks labeled for that use.
Can Calla Lily Grow in Water Without Soil?
A calla lily in water without soil is possible for a while, but it is not ideal. A rhizome held in pebbles in a vase can sprout and leaf out, yet without soil it lacks steady nutrients and support. For long-term growth, plant in heavy soil underwater or use a hydroponic setup with nutrients.
If you try a soil-free display, rest the rhizome on clean pebbles with only its base and roots touching water. Rinse the pebbles and replace water weekly. In hydroponics, a mild leafy-green nutrient solution works better than plain tap water. Our Kratky method guide shows a simple passive system, and our clay pebbles guide explains a clean, airy medium.
How Do You Keep Cut Calla Lilies Fresh in Water?
Cut calla lilies last well in a vase, much like other flowers kept in plain water culture. Recut stems at an angle with a sharp knife, place them in clean, cool water with flower food, and change the water every two to three days. Calla stems are soft and can split or curl, so a little water in the vase is often enough.
- Keep vases away from heat, direct sun and ripening fruit.
- Remove any slimy stem ends when you change water.
- Wash hands after handling, since sap can irritate skin.
Why Is My Calla Lily in Water Rotting?
A calla lily in water usually rots because it is the wrong species, the crown is submerged, or the water is warm and stale. The RHS warns that overwatering rots the rhizomes of hybrid callas. Remove soft, smelly tissue, let the rhizome dry, and replant in drained mix if it is a hybrid.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mushy rhizome | Hybrid calla in standing water | Move to well-drained mix |
| Yellow leaves | Too deep, low light or low nutrients | Raise pot, add light, feed |
| No flowers | Too little light or a young plant | More sun; divide crowded clumps |
| Green, smelly water | Algae and decay | Partial water change; remove dead leaves |
Is Calla Lily Toxic to Pets?
Yes. NC State Extension lists Zantedeschia aethiopica as poisonous, with calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth pain, swelling and drooling if chewed. Keep a calla lily in water out of reach of cats, dogs and children, and don’t place it in a fish tank or bowl that pets drink from.
How Do You Overwinter and Divide Calla Lilies?
White callas are hardy to about USDA zone 8. In colder areas, lift the pot from the pond before frost and keep it in a cool, bright spot with wet soil. Divide crowded clumps in spring. Hybrid callas need dry dormancy: stop watering in fall, let leaves die back and store rhizomes cool and dry.
FAQ About Calla Lily in Water
Can I put a potted calla lily from the store in water?
Only if it is the white Z. aethiopica. Most gift-shop callas are hybrids that need drainage.
How long does a calla lily in water last?
A white calla planted in soil under water can grow for years. Cut stems often last a week or more with fresh water.
Can calla lilies grow in an aquarium?
Not fully submerged. Leaves must stay above the water.
Do callas in water need fertilizer?
Yes, light feeding with aquatic plant tablets during the growing season.
Does a calla lily need full sun in water?
Full sun to part shade works; in hot summers, afternoon shade helps.
Sources
- N.C. State Extension Plant Toolbox — Zantedeschia aethiopica
- Royal Horticultural Society — How to Grow Zantedeschia
- Penn State Extension — The Calla Lily as an Aquatic Plant
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Zantedeschia aethiopica con fiori by Anna.Massini (CC BY 4.0); Calla Lilies. (52981342617) by Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand (Public domain); Pond-edge plants at Achamore Garden – geograph.org.uk – 5446824 by M J Richardson (CC BY-SA 2.0); Basilikum (Ocimum basilicum) Stecklinge — Josef Schlaghecken by Schlaghecken Josef (CC BY-SA 4.0)