How to Water Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Quick Answer
Water your Calla Lily every 4–6 days in spring and summer when the top inch of soil is dry. Cut back sharply once leaves yellow in fall and rest dry through winter.
Calla Lilies grow from underground stems that rot fast in cold soggy soil. They like steady moisture in active growth but punish a soggy winter rest.
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How Often and How Much to Water
Adjust the sliders below for your pot size, light, and setting. The numbers assume a rich moisture-retaining mix and a pot with drainage.
Setting
Every
9days
Use
1cup
Your Watering Rhythm Across the Year
Soil dries faster in the growing season, which varies by region. Slow down watering in the off-season to avoid overwatering.
Pacific
Mountain
Midwest
Northeast
Southeast
JFMAMJJASOND
Growing season
Growing season
9days
Resting season
3–4weeks
How to Water Your Calla Lily
Soak deeply during active growth, taper sharply when leaves yellow. Calla Lilies follow a clear seasonal rhythm and watering on the calendar is the fastest way to rot the rhizome.
1
Use room-temperature water at the soil line, not on the leaves or flower spathes.
2
Pour slowly until water runs out the drainage holes. That tells you the rootball is fully soaked.
3
Empty the saucer after 10 minutes so the rhizome isn't sitting in water.
4
Water in the morning so any splash on the leaves dries by night.
Should You Water Your Calla Lily Today?
Always check before you pour. Calla Lilies wilt fast when thirsty during active growth, but a soggy week kills the rhizome outright. The dry winter rest is mandatory for next year's flowers.
Hold off
Leaves held up and stiff
Flower spathes firm and upright
Soil sits tight against the pot wall
Top inch of soil still feels damp
Pot feels heavy when lifted
Ready for water
Leaves wilting or drooping during the day
Flower stalks bending or sagging
Top inch of soil dry to the touch
Visible gap between soil and pot wall
Pot feels light when lifted
If Something Looks Off
Underwater and overwater both make the leaves yellow and wilt. The soil and the rhizome firmness tell you which one you have.
Underwatered
Soil
Bone-dry and pulled away from the pot wall
Leaves
Whole plant wilting at once but still firm at the base
Pace
Slow droop over a couple of days that bounces back within hours of a soak
Next steps
Set the pot in a basin of room-temperature water for 20 to 30 minutes
Drain fully and return to its usual spot out of harsh afternoon sun
Expect leaves and flower stalks to lift back up within 6 to 12 hours
Resume a steady rhythm of watering when the top inch dries
Overwatered
Soil
Stays dark and waterlogged for over a week with a sour smell
Rhizome
Soft or mushy when you press at the soil line
Leaves
Yellowing from the base outward with new growth limp
Pace
Sudden collapse that worsens even after you stop watering
Next steps
Stop watering immediately and move to a bright airy spot
Lift the rhizome out of the pot and inspect. Trim any dark mushy sections back to firm white tissue and let the cut surface dry for a day
Repot in fresh well-draining mix and a clean pot with drainage
Wait at least 10 days before the first watering
Watch for fungus gnats around the soil. They thrive in damp pots and confirm the mix is staying wet too long
Got More Questions?
Why are the leaves yellowing in late summer?
Yellowing leaves at the end of the active season is normal. Calla Lilies are going into their dormant rest and the rhizome is pulling nutrients back from the foliage.
Cut watering back as the leaves yellow. Once they fully dry, cut them off at the soil line and let the rhizome rest dry through winter.
Should I dig up the rhizome for winter?
In USDA zones 8 and warmer, leave rhizomes in the ground. Below zone 8, dig them after the first frost blackens the foliage, brush off soil, let them dry for a week, and store in a cool dry spot until spring.
For container plants in cold climates, just bring the pot indoors and stop watering. Resume watering in spring when new growth emerges.
Why isn't mine flowering?
Calla Lilies need a clear dormant rest to bloom well. If you skipped the dry winter period, the rhizome didn't reset and won't push flowers the next season.
Give it a strict winter dry-rest this year and feed lightly during active growth. Flowers should return the following spring or summer.
Can I use tap water?
Yes. Calla Lilies tolerate ordinary tap water without issue. Chlorine and fluoride at typical municipal levels are not a problem.
For container plants, flush deeply once or twice a year to clear any salt buildup from fertilizer or hard water.
How long can I leave it alone for vacation?
About a week during active growth. Soak deeply before you leave and move slightly back from the brightest window so the plant uses water more slowly.
During winter dormancy, several weeks unattended is fine. The rhizome wants a dry rest anyway.
Are self-watering pots OK?
Mixed bag. Calla Lilies like consistent moisture in active growth but the rhizome rots in continuously soggy soil, especially during the dormant rest.
If you use one, dump the reservoir entirely once leaves yellow in fall and don't refill until spring growth starts. A regular pot with finger-checking is more forgiving.
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About This Article
Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist
Editorial Process
Watering guidance verified against Zantedeschia aethiopica growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.
8,861+ Greg users growing this plant
USDA hardiness zones 8a–11b