How to Fertilize Calla Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.

Quick Answer

Use a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer at half strength. Feed every two weeks from spring through summer. Switch to a bloom booster like 10-30-20 when buds form, and stop in fall.

When Should I Start Feeding My Calla Lily?

Start fertilizing when new green shoots appear in spring, which varies by a few weeks depending on your climate zone and whether the plant is growing indoors or outdoors.

Pacific Feb–Oct

Mountain May–Aug

Midwest Apr–Sep

Northeast Apr–Sep

Southeast Mar–Oct

Stay on top of plant care

Get seasonal reminders for watering and fertilizing — personalized for your plants.

Try Greg Free

How Often Should I Fertilize My Calla Lily?

Feed every two weeks during the active growing season, from when new shoots emerge in spring through the end of summer. This matches the plant's natural push to produce foliage and flowers.

Taper to once a month in early fall as growth slows. Once the leaves start yellowing, stop feeding entirely and let the rhizome rest through winter.

Signs of over-fertilizing include brown leaf tips and weak, leggy stems. If you notice salt crust on the soil surface, flush the pot with plain water a few times before the next feeding.

Feeding Calendar

Spring & Summer

Half-strength liquid every 2 weeks

Early Fall

Half-strength liquid once a month, tapering off

Late Fall & Winter

No feeding while the rhizome rests

What Is the Best Fertilizer for Calla Lily?

A balanced liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio around 10-10-10 works well through most of the growing season. Once flower buds begin to form, switching to a bloom-boosting formula like 10-30-20 encourages larger, more vibrant blooms.

Dilute to half the label's recommended strength. Calla Lilies are moderate feeders, but too much fertilizer causes soft, floppy growth and fewer flowers.

Liquid fertilizer is the best delivery method because it distributes evenly through the root zone with each watering. Slow-release granules are a decent backup if you tend to forget feedings, but they give you less control over when to taper off.

Synthetic

Jack's Classic Blossom Booster 10-30-20

High-phosphorus formula designed for flowering plants. Mix 1/4 teaspoon per gallon for Calla Lilies.

Miracle-Gro All Purpose Liquid 12-4-8

Widely available balanced liquid for the vegetative growth phase. Use half the recommended dose.

Organic

Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed 2-3-1

Gentle organic blend that feeds both the plant and the soil. Mix 1 tablespoon per gallon every two weeks.

Espoma Flower-tone 3-4-5

Granular organic option with beneficial microbes. Scratch into the top inch of soil once a month during the growing season.

How Do I Fertilize My Calla Lily?

Water your plant first

Give your Calla Lily a thorough watering about an hour before fertilizing. Moist soil protects the roots from fertilizer burn.

Mix the fertilizer at half strength

Measure your liquid fertilizer at half the dose listed on the label. For most concentrates, that is about 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water.

Pour evenly around the base

Apply the diluted solution directly to the soil, working your way around the stem. Avoid getting fertilizer water on the leaves or inside the flower spathe.

Switch to bloom formula at bud stage

When you see flower buds forming, swap to a high-phosphorus fertilizer like 10-30-20 to support bigger blooms. Keep the same half-strength dilution.

Flush the soil monthly

Once a month, water thoroughly with plain water until it runs out the drainage holes. This washes out excess salts that can build up from regular feeding.

Got More Questions?

Can I use coffee grounds on my Calla Lily?

Coffee grounds are mildly acidic and Calla Lilies prefer slightly acidic soil, so a thin sprinkle on the surface is fine occasionally. However, they do not replace a proper fertilizer because they provide very little phosphorus or potassium.

What happens if I over-fertilize my Calla Lily?

Too much fertilizer causes brown, crispy leaf edges and can actually reduce flowering. In severe cases, salt buildup damages the roots. Flush the soil with plain water several times and skip feeding for a month to let the plant recover.

Should I fertilize my Calla Lily while it is dormant?

No. Calla Lilies go through a natural rest period after flowering when the foliage dies back. Feeding during dormancy can rot the rhizome because the plant is not actively taking up nutrients.

Do Calla Lilies need a special bulb fertilizer?

A standard bloom-boosting fertilizer works perfectly well. Bulb-specific fertilizers tend to be slow-release granules, which are fine for outdoor beds but give you less control in pots.

Can I use banana peels to fertilize my Calla Lily?

Banana peels break down very slowly in soil and deliver minimal nutrients to a potted plant. You are better off using a liquid fertilizer that provides balanced nutrition right away.

Stay on top of plant care

Get seasonal reminders for watering and fertilizing — personalized for your plants.

Try Greg Free

About This Article

Kiersten Rankel M.S.

Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist

About the Author

Kiersten Rankel holds an M.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University. A certified Louisiana Master Naturalist, she has over a decade of experience in science communication, with research spanning corals, cypress trees, marsh grasses, and more. At Greg, she curates species data and verifies care recommendations against botanical research.

See Kiersten Rankel's full background on LinkedIn.

Editorial Process

Fertilizer recommendations verified against Zantedeschia aethiopica growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.

8,581+ Greg users growing this plant

USDA hardiness zones 8a–11b

Citations:
NC State Extension
Missouri Botanical Garden
ASPCA

More Calla Lily Care

Annual Benefits Bugs Care Indoors Care Outdoors Companion Plants Direct Sunlight Flower Flower Problems Hardiness Zone How to Grow How to Plant Humidity Landscaping Ideas Black Spots on Leaves Brown Spots on Leaves Leaves Curling Leaves Drooping Leaves Dropping Leaves Falling Over Leaves Mushy Yellow Leaves Lifecycle Light Requirements Perennial Pollination Problems Propagating Repotting Root Rot Roots Size Temperature Varieties How Often to Water Weeds What Eats When to Plant Where to Plant Wilting Winter