Flower encyclopedia

Calla Lily: Meaning, Varieties & Care

Zantedeschia species from southern Africa, grown as cut flowers and pot plants.

Calla Lily at a glance

Calla lilies are not true lilies. They are aroid plants (Zantedeschia) whose 'flower' is a spathe around a spadix. White callas are associated with formality, weddings and sometimes sympathy. Coloured callas are modern and sculptural. All parts are irritating if chewed, and they are not a cat-safe Lilium alternative in the sense of being edible — they are simply a different toxin profile.

Flower: Calla Lily
Botanical name: Zantedeschia
Family: Araceae
Colours: White, Pink, Yellow, Purple / black-red
Typical season: Commercial cuts are widely available; garden bloom is warmer months in frost-free or lifted-bulb climates.
Fragrance: Usually light.
Popular for: wedding, sympathy, congratulations
Vase life: Often around a week; avoid bruising the spathe.

What is a calla lily?

The elegant trumpet is a modified leaf (spathe), not a petal. That is why callas look architectural compared with roses.

White Zantedeschia aethiopica is the classic large calla. Modern coloured miniatures come from other species and hybrids.

Origin: Southern Africa. · Habitat: Moist soils in nature; greenhouse cuts commercially.

What does a calla lily mean?

White callas are often linked with purity, rebirth and elegant sympathy. They appear in both bridal and funeral work — styling decides the tone.

Calla Lily colours

White

Formality, weddings and remembrance

Often chosen for wedding, sympathy

Pink

Admiration

Often chosen for anniversary

Yellow

Gratitude

Often chosen for thank-you

Purple / black-red

Modern drama

Often chosen for wedding

Calla Lily varieties

Large white calla

Classic arum form used in formal designs.

Mini coloured callas

Shorter, saturated stems for contemporary bouquets.

When is calla lily in season?

Treat shop availability as mostly year-round with quality peaks.

USA
Year-round commercial supply through imports and greenhouses.
canada
Year-round florist supply; outdoor garden season is shorter.
UK
Everyday imported florist flower; British garden season is separate.
europe
Strong Dutch auction and greenhouse distribution.
australia
Local season plus imports from the opposite hemisphere.
UAE
Imported; protect from heat after delivery.

Seasonal flower calendar →

How to care for calla lilys

Recut, use clean water, and handle spathes gently — bruises show as transparent patches.

Pet safety: Aroids contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate mouth and gut. Not the same as Lilium kidney failure in cats, but still keep away from pets that chew plants.

Pollen: Low compared with Oriental lilies.

Calla Lilys for different occasions

Callas read formal. They are a poor match for a playful kids' birthday.

wedding sympathy

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Browse the live catalog for bouquets and gifts that include calla lilys.

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Calla Lily delivery

BlossomPot lists delivery destinations we actually publish. US city pages are gift-delivery destinations. Canada, Australia and Europe city pages explain how to send gifts from those cities to a US address — they are not local florist storefronts we do not operate.