Indoor Calla Lily Care: Light, Water, Dormancy, and Outdoor Planting in Arizona

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) Care: From Gift Plant to Garden Perennial

A calla lily gifted 2 weeks ago yellowed after one watering. It's indoors by a window in Arizona (76–78°F).

Immediate Issues

• Light: Calla lilies need direct sun. A south-facing window with no blinds is minimum indoors.
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist—never bone dry, never soggy.
• Repotting: Not needed; they thrive in 6" pots for years.

Outdoor Planting in Arizona

• If in USDA zone 10 (low desert), plant in ground with morning sun, afternoon shade.
• Water regularly; they love moisture.
• They naturalize and bloom annually like tulips in the North.

Dormancy Cycle

1. After blooming, foliage yellows. Stop watering.
2. Dig rhizomes, dry, store in paper bag in cool (50–60°F), dry place for 3 months.
3. Check periodically; when new shoots appear, repot, water, and place in sun.

Fertilizer

Monthly with balanced fertilizer during active growth.

Indoors, a sunny window is non-negotiable. Outdoors in zone 10, they're easy perennials.