Calla lily: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Zantedeschia
Calla lily (Zantedeschia, family Araceae) usually lasts 7–10 days in a vase. In season: Year-round. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: focal flower.
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Calla lily
- Botanical name
- Zantedeschia
- Family
- Araceae
- Aliases
- None
- Native origin
- Tropical Americas, Africa and Mediterranean wetlands
- Growth habit
- Bulbous or tuberous perennial with fleshy, upright succulent scapes.
- Stem length
- 50–70 cm
- Natural colours
- White, Yellow, Pink, Purple, Orange
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in spring and summer
- Commercial supply
- Available year-round via commercial greenhouse production
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- Cold storage
- Cold storage suitable (2–5°C constant temperature, high humidity).
- Special care
- Use shallow water: the fleshy stems turn mushy and split when submerged. Stems can be curved gently by warming them in your hands. Despite the name it is not a true lily.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Focal flower in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Use shallow water: the fleshy stems turn mushy and split when submerged. Stems can be curved gently by warming them in your hands. Despite the name it is not a true lily.
For florists
Try Calla lily in a client design
We fill in the brief from this page. No stock yet? Load the sample flowers — Calla lily included — and see a recipe, quote and preview image in about a minute. New shops get 30 free credits.
Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Use shallow water: the fleshy stems turn mushy and split when submerged. Stems can be curved gently by warming them in your hands. Despite the name it is not a true lily.
- Calla lily is mildly toxic to cats and dogs: remind clients with pets to keep it out of reach.
Where it fits
| Use | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. |
| Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ! | Mildly toxic if eaten — advise keeping it out of reach. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | About 7–10 days in a vase — fine to make up a day ahead. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as calla lily and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Baby's breath | Filler flower | 7–10 days |
| Bouvardia | Filler flower | 7–10 days |
| Dendrobium orchid | Line flower | 10–14 days |
| Love-lies-bleeding | Line flower | 7–10 days |
| Eucalyptus | Foliage | 10–14 days |
| Monstera leaf | Foliage | 10–14 days |
Substitutes
When calla lily is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisianthus | 7–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Gerbera daisy | 6–10 days | Year-round | None | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Lily | 7–10 days | Year-round | Strong | ⚠ toxic to cats |
| Rose | 5–7 days | Year-round | Light | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
FAQ
How long does calla lily last in a vase?
Usually 7–10 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is calla lily in season?
It is available year-round.
How do you keep calla lily fresh?
Use shallow water: the fleshy stems turn mushy and split when submerged. Stems can be curved gently by warming them in your hands. Despite the name it is not a true lily.
What does calla lily symbolise?
Purity and devotion. Flower meanings are popular conventions and vary between cultures.
What colours does calla lily come in?
Naturally in white, yellow, pink, purple, orange (not counting dyed stems).
Is calla lily toxic to cats or dogs?
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
What can I use instead of calla lily?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Lisianthus, Gerbera daisy, Lily, Rose.
Related guides
In season at the same time
RoseLilyCarnationGerbera daisyLisianthusBaby's breathBird of paradiseOrchids (cut)