Calla lilies (Zantedeschia, also called arum lilies) are clumping, rhizomatous plants from southern Africa, grown for their glossy leaves and elegant funnel-shaped blooms in white, pink, yellow and purple. They suit shady to part-shade Sydney beds and pots, but the white form is a weed in parts of Australia and all calla lilies are toxic to pets.
This guide covers the types, colours and look-alikes, where to plant them, how to look after them and what goes wrong.
Key points
- Calla lilies range from compact coloured hybrids to large white arum lilies, so check the mature size on the label (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions).
- Plant in part shade and moist, well-drained soil; coloured hybrids need more sun and less water.
- Maintenance is low, but dispose of cuttings and tubers in your green bin so white arum lily does not spread.
- Watch-out: calla lilies are commonly listed as toxic to dogs and cats, so contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline if a pet chews them.
Calla lilies at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Zantedeschia (white arum lily is Z. aethiopica) |
| Type | Clumping perennial; white forms are evergreen, coloured hybrids can die back in winter |
| Mature size | Compact to large clumps (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) |
| Sun | Part shade for white forms; sun to part shade for coloured forms |
| Soil | Rich, moist but well-drained |
| Water | Regular in the growing season; coloured hybrids rot if waterlogged |
| Frost tolerance | Moderately hardy; coloured types may die back in frost (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) |
| Flowering season | Late winter to summer, depending on type (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) |
| Native to Australia? | No. Native to southern Africa |
Calla lilies types: colours, pink and purple options
These are the types most often sold under calla lily or arum lily names.
| Type | Size | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| White arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) | Large clump (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Shaded borders, wet corners | Treated as an environmental weed in parts of NSW; do not plant near bushland |
| Pink calla lily (Zantedeschia hybrids) | Compact (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Pots and sunny borders | Soft pink to deep rose spathes; pink arum lily in search terms |
| Purple calla lily (dark hybrids) | Compact (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Pots, patios | The most common answer to “purple lily plant” |
| Yellow and orange callas | Compact (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Pots, bright borders | Spotted leaves on many varieties |
| Pink and white lilies (true Lilium) | Tall stems (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Cut flowers, mixed beds | A different plant; highly toxic to cats |
Calla lilies vs princess lilies, Gymea lily and true lilies
Many searches for lilies mean a different plant, so use this table to confirm what you want.
| Plant | What it is | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Princess lilies (Alstroemeria) | Tuberous perennials with speckled flowers | Not true lilies; cut flowers that bloom for months |
| Doryanthes excelsa (Gymea lily) | Large Australian native with a tall red flower spike | Size is much larger than calla lilies (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) |
| True lilies (Lilium), including Lillian-type flowers | Bulbs with scented, trumpet or star flowers | Need well-drained soil and shade at the roots |
| Lys flower | French word for lily | Usually refers to Lilium or the iris-type fleur-de-lis |
| Agapanthus (a purple lily plant) | Strappy clumper with blue-purple flowers | Weedy in some areas; not a true lily |
Where to plant calla lilies in Sydney
- Plant white calla lilies in part shade under trees or along a south-facing fence, where soil stays damp.
- Give coloured calla lilies morning sun and good drainage, because their tubers rot in waterlogged soil.
- Use pots on patios for coloured types, which makes it easy to control water and move them out of cold spots.
- Keep white arum lilies away from bushland, creeks and drains, since seed and tubers can escape.
- Place them where children and pets will not chew the leaves or flowers, especially in a small courtyard.
- Improve heavy clay with compost, and add coarse material for drainage if your soil stays boggy in winter.
How to plant calla lilies
- Plant tubers in late winter to spring, or buy potted plants in flower from late winter to summer.
- Choose a pot with drainage holes, or prepare a bed by digging in compost.
- Set tubers with the growing tips facing up and cover them with soil, following the depth on the packet.
- Water lightly at planting, then more as shoots appear, avoiding soggy soil while tubers are dormant.
- Mulch lightly around the plants and keep the mulch off the crown.
- Stake tall flower stems if they flop in wind.
- Follow the Sydney Water rules: water before 10 am or after 4 pm, use a trigger nozzle on hand-held hoses and never leave a hose running unattended.
Growing lilies: calla lily care through the year
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Spring to summer | Keep the soil evenly moist. Drip irrigation can run between 10 am and 4 pm. |
| Feeding | Spring and early summer | Use a fertiliser for flowering plants exactly as the label directs. |
| Mulching | Autumn or spring | Lay a thin layer of mulch to hold moisture around the roots. |
| Deadheading | During flowering | Cut spent flower stems low down; wear gloves because the sap can irritate skin. |
| Resting coloured callas | Late autumn to winter | Let the foliage die back and reduce watering until new shoots appear. |
| Pest and disease watch | Spring and summer | Look for snails, aphids and leaf spot; for insects, see a pest controller. |
Common problems with calla lilies
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves in summer | Waterlogged tubers or normal dormancy | Improve drainage and cut back watering as leaves die back. |
| Leaves but no flowers | Too much shade or too much nitrogen | Move to brighter light and use a flower fertiliser. |
| Brown leaf tips | Hot wind or dry soil | Mulch and water deeply in a heatwave. |
| Soft, smelly tubers | Rot from wet soil | Lift and discard rotted tubers and replant in drier soil. |
| Clumps spreading into beds or bushland | White arum lily is invasive | Dig out tubers and put them in your green bin; do not dump them. |
FAQ: calla lilies and arum lilies
Are calla lilies and arum lilies the same?
Yes, calla lily and arum lily are common names for Zantedeschia. The white form (Z. aethiopica) is usually called arum lily and is weedy in some regions, while the coloured hybrids sold as calla lilies are more compact. Check the label to confirm which one you are buying.
Is there a pink calla lily?
Yes. Pink calla lily hybrids range from soft blush to deep rose and suit pots and sunny beds. They are often sold as pink arum lily. Coloured callas die back in winter, so mark the spot and cut back watering until shoots return in spring.
Are calla lilies safe for pets?
Calla lilies are commonly listed as toxic to dogs and cats, and owners report mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting. Keep pets away from the plants, and if one chews them, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline straight away for advice.
What is the best purple lily plant?
For a true lily look, choose a purple calla hybrid. For strappy blue-purple flowers, agapanthus is common but weedy in some areas. Check the botanical name and ask your nursery which suits your site.
Getting calla lilies looked after in Sydney
We weed, divide and tidy shady garden beds as part of regular maintenance, and Sydney gardeners typically charge about $52 to $115 per hour including GST (October 2026). See our types of flowers guide for more plants, or book garden maintenance in Sydney.
