Golden calla (Zantedeschia elliottiana)

Overview

The Golden calla, scientifically known as Zantedeschia elliottiana, offers sensational summer color with its bright yellow spathes set against richly spotted foliage. This stemless herbaceous perennial is highly valued for its architectural structure and clear, sunny blooms, despite its common name suggesting a true lily relationship—it actually belongs to the Arum family. Gardeners prize the Zantedeschia elliottiana for its ability to brighten moist areas of the landscape, providing a tropical accent that reliably flowers from mid-summer into early fall.

Growing to about 2 to 3 feet tall, the Golden calla requires consistently moist, fertile soil and performs best with full sun or light afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates. While it can be grown as a tender perennial in USDA Zones 9 and 10, gardeners further north must treat the tubers as annuals or provide specialized indoor overwintering care. Successfully cultivating Zantedeschia elliottiana depends heavily on balancing its need for constant moisture with excellent drainage to prevent tuber rot.

Aesthetically, the striking yellow spathe surrounding the spadix makes this a focal point plant. The large, arrowhead-shaped leaves, often dramatically speckled with white, add textural interest even when the plant is not in flower. If you seek bold, architectural color for waterside plantings or large containers, the allure of the Golden calla is undeniable.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Araceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Native Range: South Africa
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-10
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 2-3 ft
  • Spread: 1-2 ft
• Bloom Time: July to September
• Bloom Description: Yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

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How to Grow

For optimal performance, plant Zantedeschia elliottiana tubers in spring after all danger of frost has passed. They thrive best in fertile, organically rich, well-drained sandy loams. Ensure the site receives full sun exposure, though providing dappled shade during the hottest part of the afternoon can benefit plants in very hot summer locations. Proper spacing of at least 12 inches between plants allows adequate air circulation.

Consistent moisture is the critical factor for healthy Golden calla growth; never allow the soil to dry out completely during the active growing season from spring through flowering cessation. Integrate regular fertilization during this period to support vigorous blooming. However, once flowers fade in late summer to early fall, dramatically reduce watering and cease fertilization. This slow dry-down period signals the plant to enter dormancy naturally.

For gardeners outside of Zones 9-10, overwintering is essential. Tubers grown in the ground must be carefully dug up after foliage dies back, allowed to dry for several days in the sun, and then stored indoors in peat or vermiculite at cool temperatures (50-55°F). Alternatively, growing Zantedeschia elliottiana in containers simplifies overwintering; simply stop watering once foliage dies back and move the pots inside before the first frost.

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Landscape Uses

The dramatic appearance of the Golden calla makes it highly effective as a specimen plant near water features, such as ponds, pools, or small streams, where its moisture needs are easily met. Its bright yellow color also provides excellent contrast when used in mixed summer borders alongside dark foliage plants or deep purple annuals. For those in colder climates, growing in large containers allows easy mobility, ensuring tubers can be moved indoors reliably before fall frosts arrive.

When used as an annual display, pair the Golden calla with contrasting textures, perhaps using upright grasses or deep green foliage plants like coleus or sweet potato vine in companion containers. Because it is stemless and its flowers rise directly from the base, it works best planted where its base is somewhat obscured, allowing the flower stalks and leaves to emerge cleanly above surrounding groundcovers or low edging plants.

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Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

The Zantedeschia elliottiana, commonly called golden calla lily or Elliott’s calla, is a stemless herbaceous perennial whose flowers and leaves rise impressively to 2-3’ tall from underground tuberous rhizomes. Each flower structure features a vibrant yellow finger-like spadix surrounded by a showy yellow spathe born atop a leafless stalk. Its long-stalked, arrowhead-shaped, dark green leaves are notably and beautifully spotted with white.

Landscape Uses

Effective near ponds, pools or small streams, borders or in containers. Where not winter hardy, tubers must be brought indoors in fall for overwintering.

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Tolerances

No specific tolerances listed beyond native range and hardiness data.

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Potential Problems

The most significant cultural issue facing Zantedeschia elliottiana is susceptibility to soft rot, caused by Erwinia bacteria, which thrives in overly moist or poorly drained soils. Prevention involves ensuring excellent soil structure and avoiding persistent waterlogging. Fungally, rust can occasionally develop on the stems, leaves, and spent flowers, requiring monitoring.

Pest management should focus on soft-bodied creatures: watch carefully for slugs and snails that may feast on tender new growth and developing blooms. Additionally, Japanese beetles have been noted to feed upon the flowers and foliage of this tropical beauty. Promptly addressing pest infestations helps maintain the pristine appearance of the Golden calla.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Golden calla suitable for?

Golden calla (Zantedeschia elliottiana) is hardy for year-round outdoor growth in USDA Zones 9 and 10.

How large does Zantedeschia elliottiana grow?

This plant typically reaches a height between 2 and 3 feet, spreading to between 1 and 2 feet wide at maturity.

When does Golden calla bloom?

Zantedeschia elliottiana produces its striking yellow blooms reliably throughout the summer, generally from July through September.

What sun exposure does Zantedeschia elliottiana need?

This species prefers full sun for best flowering, though it benefits from some afternoon shade during intensely hot summer periods.

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Conclusion

The Golden calla offers exceptional value to the summer garden through its unique bicolored foliage and brilliant yellow spathes, making Zantedeschia elliottiana a highly desirable tropical accent. Remember that maintaining consistent moisture without waterlogging is key to managing this perennial successfully. Before planting, confirm that your climate falls within USDA Zones 9-10 or be prepared to dig and store the tubers promptly in the fall.

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Container Growing

Growing the Golden calla in containers is an excellent strategy, particularly for gardeners outside of Zone 9. Use a high-quality potting mix amended with compost to ensure fertility and drainage. Since containers dry out faster than garden beds, you must be diligent about providing medium water needs throughout the summer months to keep the soil consistently moist.

Container culture provides the flexibility needed for overwintering. When the foliage begins to die back in late summer or early fall, cease fertilization and significantly reduce watering. Bring the entire container indoors before the first frost. During winter dormancy, treat the container like a dormant tuber storage, keeping it relatively dry in a cool, dark location until spring growth resumes.

Propagation Tips

The primary method for propagating Zantedeschia elliottiana is division of the underground tuberous rhizomes, which should be done in the spring before new active growth begins. Carefully lift the clump, gently tease the tubers apart, ensuring each division has at least one viable growth point, and replant immediately.

While division is faster, propagation by seed is also possible, though significantly slower to reward the gardener. Be aware that plants grown from seed may take two to three years before they mature sufficiently to produce their first flowers, so patience is required if using this method for increasing your stock of Golden calla.