Calla lily (Zantedeschia 'Rubylite Pink Ice')

Overview

Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ is a captivating herbaceous perennial known for its vibrant, light pink spathes that appear from mid-summer into early fall. Although commonly called a Calla lily, this striking plant belongs to the Araceae family, offering architectural interest with leaves and flowers emerging directly from the rhizome. Gardeners highly prize Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ for its excellent performance as a cut flower and its ability to thrive in moist or water-adjacent environments.

This particular hybrid is relatively compact, typically reaching only 1 to 1.5 feet tall, making it versatile for smaller spaces or container gardens. A defining trait is its preference for consistently moist to wet soil, distinguishing it from many common perennials. Whether utilized as an annual accent, a pond edge planting, or overwintered indoors, the Calla lily provides sophisticated color.

Cultivating Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ successfully involves understanding its specific moisture and temperature requirements. While it offers high visual impact, its medium maintenance needs mean gardeners must pay attention to winter protection in cooler zones or ensure adequate soil saturation during the growing season. These characteristics make the Calla lily a superb choice for rain gardens or waterside plantings.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Araceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-10
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 0.5-1 ft
• Bloom Time: July to September
• Bloom Description: Light pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium to wet
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Plant rhizomes of Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ in the spring only after all danger of frost has completely passed. These plants perform best when situated in moist to wet soils, although they can handle full sun in some climates; conversely, they often prefer partial shade in hotter regions like St. Louis. Ensure the planting location mimics swampy or boggy conditions for optimal performance, as these Calla lilies are tolerant of wet soil conditions.

Watering requirements are significant; keep the media consistently moist. For gardeners in Zones 9-10, they may thrive outdoors year-round. However, for those in cooler zones, including Zone 7 where protection might be warranted, lifting the rhizomes in the fall before the first hard frost is crucial. Store the lifted rhizomes in a damp medium like peat, or immediately transplant them into containers to be brought indoors for overwintering as houseplants.

Container culture offers flexibility, allowing overwintering indoors near a bright, indirect light window. If planting near the edge of ponds or water gardens in shallow water or mud, the rhizomes might survive mild winters if the water depth prevents deep freezing. Always handle Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ with attention to preventing rhizome rot, which is a primary cultural concern associated with this genus.

Landscape Uses

The adaptability of Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ makes it an excellent feature plant across diverse landscape settings. Due to their love of moisture, they are outstanding additions to rain gardens, where they utilize excess runoff while showcasing their dramatic blooms. They also serve beautifully as vertical accents in traditional borders or as sophisticated focal points when grouped in containers.

For aquatic landscapes, Calla lilies excel when planted directly in shallow water at pond peripheries. This placement not only satisfies their high water needs but also creates a striking display where the flowers appear to rise from the water surface. Even when grown year-round in pots that are moved indoors for winter, these Calla lilies remain attractive houseplants.

Consider pairing the soft light pink of Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ with deep purple foliage or fine-textured grasses to enhance their visual impact. Their geometric form contrasts nicely with billowing perennials, adding structure to summer water features or moist woodland margins.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Good Cut

Noteworthy Characteristics

Zantedeschia is a genus of 6 species from southern and eastern Africa, resulting in numerous highly developed hybrids. Commonly called calla lilies, they actually belong to the arum family, not true lilies, and present as stemless plants where flowers and leaves emerge from rhizomes. The specific hybrid ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ is valued for its reduced stature, generally reaching only 12-15 inches tall, featuring a light pink spathe surrounding a yellow finger-like spadix borne high on a leafless stalk throughout summer.

Tolerances

• Wet Soil

Potential Problems

Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ is susceptible to rhizome rot if drainage is poor or if the rhizomes are kept too cold and wet during dormancy. To mitigate this, ensure excellent drainage in containers or lift rhizomes in colder climates. Additionally, Japanese beetles are known to feed aggressively on the foliage and flowers of Calla lilies, requiring vigilant monitoring and manual removal or appropriate pest control during their active season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Calla lily suitable for?

Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 10, though some protection might extend viability into Zone 8.

How large does Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ grow?

This hybrid typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet, with a spread of 0.5 to 1 foot.

When does Calla lily bloom?

This plant produces its light pink blooms starting in July and continues flowering well into September, making it a reliable summer color source.

What sun exposure does Calla lily need?

The standard recommendation for Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ is full sun, though protection from the hottest afternoon rays is often beneficial in very warm zones.

Conclusion

The Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’ remains a star for gardeners seeking dramatic, elegant summer color, particularly those with access to consistently wet soil conditions. Its compact size and stunning light pink display make it a worthy inclusion in any garden palette, whether as a reliable perennial or a cultivated container specimen. Before planting, confirm your local USDA hardiness zone compatibility or plan for proper winter rhizome storage immediately.

Companion Planting

When situating Zantedeschia ‘Rubylite Pink Ice’, consider pairing it with plants that share its love for moisture. Bog iris (Iris pseudacorus) or various species of Caltha (Marsh Marigold) make excellent companions near pond edges, as they enjoy perpetually wet feet alongside your Calla lily. In rain gardens, grouping them with moisture-loving native grasses or moisture-tolerant perennials like Astilbe or Rodgersia can create rich textural contrast.

For container groupings that sit near a patio, use fine-textured trailers spilling over the edge, such as creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’), which provides a splash of complementary gold foliage against the pink and green of the Calla lily. Since containers dry out faster, pairing them with plants needing consistent water ensures you approach watering uniformly.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is the critical time to introduce your Calla lily rhizomes to the garden soil after the last threat of frost has diminished. Ensure planting depth is correct—just below the soil surface—and immediately establish a consistent watering schedule to keep the soil moist as new growth emerges. Summer requires close observation of water needs, especially during heat waves, to maintain the medium level between medium and wet to support peak blooming.

As autumn approaches, gardeners in marginal zones (like high Zone 8 or low Zone 9) should begin preparations for winter dormancy or indoor relocation. If overwintering indoors, reduce watering gradually, allowing the foliage to naturally die back before storing the rhizomes or moving the potted plant to a cooler location. Spring cleanup involves refreshing the soil if overwintering in pots or planting fresh rhizomes in the garden beds once soil temperatures are warm enough to encourage sprouting.