Happy Flower Pot

Calla lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica (Araceae)

Also called Calla Lily, Pig Lily, White Arum, Trumpet Lily, Florist's Calla, Garden Calla, Arum Lily.

Cats and dogs

Toxic to cats and dogs

Cats: toxic Dogs: toxic

What makes it toxic: Insoluble calcium oxalates.

Signs to watch for: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Source: ASPCA entry "Calla Lily", checked October 3, 2026.

Light

  1. Low light 3+ mol
  2. Medium light 6+ mol
  3. Bright indirect 10+ mol Best
  4. Direct sun 12+ mol

Calla lilies want plenty of light and warmth: start potted rhizomes in a warm, bright spot. Garden guidance from both sources is sun to partial shade, with some shade preferred in hot climates to avoid scorch (at some cost to flowering).

Direct sun: a little gentle morning sun is fine.

On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 2.2 (how these numbers are set).

Will it grow in my window?

Care

Care level: Moderate. Water: Water sparingly until shoots appear, then keep consistently moist while growing; after flowering let the leaves die down and keep it nearly dry during dormancy.

Needs a winter dormancy with little or no water, kept out of bright light (RHS).

Pet-safe plants for similar light

Sources