The key to growing these plants outdoors in colder zones is to plant them out in spring, and then dig up the calla lily bulbs or rhizomes in the early fall. Dig them up before exposure to cold and frost in the fall. Store in a dry place until early spring.
Your calla lily care in winter will consist of digging the rhizome of the plants. Note that in some areas, like zone 7, callas may be left in ground with added protection over winter and still come back. That said, you may want to play it safe and dig them up. The best time when to dig calla lilies is right after the frost has killed the foliage.
This begs the question “Do calla lilies come back to life after blooming?”
Calla lily care after blooming is an important part of taking care of this special plant Calla lilies are flowering plants that can last for many years if given the right care, returning to bloom each year with renewed vigor.
Calla lily bulbs multiply underground, so digging up calla lilies is a way to keep them productive and establish new plants. Gardening Know How says the best time to dig up calla lilies is right.
How to store calla lily bulbs?
Cut back flower stems after all buds have completed their blooming cycle, but allow the foliage to die back naturally in late summer to early autumn. Cut back the leaves to 3 inches once they have all died back. Loosen the soil around the bulb with your spade. Work out 4 to 6 inches from the stem.
Also, how big of a pot does a calla lily need?
Pots for calla lilies should be at least 10-12 inches (25-30 cm.) in diameter and well draining. While calla lilies need consistently moist soil, improper drainage can cause rots and fungal diseases. The planting medium should also retain moisture but not stay too soggy.
When to plant calla lily rhizomes?
Calla lily rhizomes, which look somewhat like small potatoes, are planted in spring after the danger of frost has passed. By growing calla lily in a pot, in some locations, they can be started indoors earlier than they could be started outdoors.
This is called curing. After the calla lily rhizomes have dried, place them in a paper bag or wrap them in newspaper. Store them in a cool, dry place, somewhere that stays around 50 F.