Calla lily (Zantedeschia 'Flame')
Vibrant Calla lily Zantedeschia 'Flame' offers showy yellow to red blooms. A medium-maintenance perennial for wet areas.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The striking Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ is a highly valued addition to any garden looking for bold color and unique structure. While commonly called a Calla lily, this herbaceous perennial brings exotic flair with blooms that begin yellow and mature into brilliant red tones. Their appearance is distinctive, rising directly from rhizomes without traditional stems, making them excellent focal points when in their July to August bloom period.
As a member of the Araceae family, Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ thrives where many plants struggle—moist to wet conditions. Its upright habit reaches up to 2 feet tall, providing vertical interest in garden borders or pond settings. Gardeners appreciate this Calla lily not only for its visual impact but also for its versatility as a stunning cut flower.
Cultivating Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ requires aligning its rhizome planting with spring warmth and providing consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Though native to Southern and Eastern Africa, successful cultivation extends into USDA Zones 8 through 10, offering reliable perennial beauty for gardeners in temperate climates.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: Yellow to red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting should occur in the spring only after all danger of frost has passed, focusing on incorporating rhizomes into moist, well-drained soil. While Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ handles full sun in some regions, providing partial shade is generally best for maintaining peak foliage health, especially in warmer afternoons. The critical cultural note for this Calla lily is its affinity for moisture; it performs best in consistently moist to wet soils.
Watering should be kept consistent to support the medium to wet needs of the plant. This preference makes the Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ ideal for rain gardens or the edges of water features. Maintenance is considered medium; ensure the soil does not dry out completely, particularly during the summer blooming period.
Winter preparation is essential outside of the warmest zones. In colder areas, lift the rhizomes in the fall before the first hard frost. Store them dormant in a slightly damp medium like peat moss or immediately transfer them to containers to overwinter indoors as houseplants, positioning them near strong indirect light.
Landscape Uses
The dramatic look of the Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ makes it a standout element in specialized landscape designs. Its tolerance for wet soil opens up opportunities in rain gardens where runoff collects, or along the muddy peripheries of ponds and water gardens. For a bold statement near borders, plant groupings provide intense color contrast.
Beyond the garden, this Calla lily excels in container culture. Growing Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ in pots allows you to control soil moisture precisely and easily move the plants indoors before winter hits, ensuring they survive as attractive houseplants throughout the colder months. The vivid blooms ensure they are highly recommended for accent plantings wherever high visual impact is desired.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Zantedeschia is a genus of 6 species from southern and eastern Africa, and many hybrids have since been developed. Commonly called calla lilies, they are not true lilies but belong to the arum family, characterized by stemless plants whose foliage and interesting blooms emerge directly from rhizomes. The ‘Flame’ cultivar specifically features spectacular blooms that transition from yellow to a bright red hue, reaching a mature height and spread of about 2 feet.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
Gardeners must remain vigilant concerning rhizome rot; this condition signals overly saturated or poorly draining soil, which is particularly dangerous even for this moisture-loving plant if the period of saturation is too long or water temperature is too cold. Additionally, watch for pests like Japanese beetles, which sometimes find the flowers and foliage of the Calla lily highly palatable and may require physical removal or targeted treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Calla lily suitable for?
This variety, Zantedeschia ‘Flame’, is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, though protection may allow survival into Zone 7.
How large does Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ grow?
Mature clumps generally reach heights between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, with a spread of similar dimensions, creating a dense, eye-catching display.
When does Calla lily bloom?
The blooming period for this strong performer is typically from July into August, showcasing its distinctive flowers that mature from yellow to red.
What sun exposure does Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ need?
It adapts well to full sun, but it generally prefers partial shade, especially where afternoon temperatures are high.
Conclusion
The Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ Calla lily provides exceptional visual architecture and vibrant, changing color throughout mid-summer. Its unique ability to thrive in moist conditions—even functioning near or in water—makes this plant invaluable for specialized garden niches. Ensure your local climate aligns with USDA Zone 8 minimums or commit to appropriate overwintering practices to enjoy the stunning performance of Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ year after year.
Companion Planting for Moist Areas
Choosing companions that share the medium to wet soil needs of the Calla lily is crucial for cohesive design. Excellent partners include bold foliage plants like ornamental rushes (Juncus species) or moisture-loving perennials such as Astilbe or Ligularia, provided they can tolerate partial shade if that is your chosen location for the Zantedeschia ‘Flame’. These groupings will reinforce the feeling of a lush, vibrant waterside planting aesthetic.
In container settings, pair the height of the Calla lily with cascading or mounding plants like Trollius or certain moisture-tolerant annuals that fill out the edges of the pot. This layering technique enhances the overall display and prevents the container from looking sparse around the base of the emerging rhizomes.
Seasonal Care Calendar
For spring success, plant the rhizomes once the threat of frost has completely passed, encouraging vigorous early growth. Summer requires diligent monitoring of soil moisture; deep watering is necessary to maintain the consistently moist to wet conditions the Zantedeschia ‘Flame’ demands for peak flowering.
In autumn, the care pivots based on your zone. For gardeners in Zones 8-10, simply allow natural dormancy after the foliage yellows. Elsewhere, before the first frost, lift the rhizomes, clean them, and store them in a cool, slightly damp medium, or immediately repot them snugly to bring your Calla lily indoors for winter brightness.
