Overwintering Calla Lilies Indoors: Dormancy Requirements

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) require a dormant period to thrive long-term. While a cool basement is traditional, any dark, dry, cool (45–55°F / 7–13°C) location works—a spare closet, unheated garage, or crawl space.

Indoor Dormancy Protocol

1. After foliage yellows naturally, stop watering.
2. Move the pot to a cool, dark, dry spot for 2–3 months.
3. Do not water during dormancy; the rhizome must rest.
4. In late winter, bring into light, resume watering, and fertilize when growth resumes.

Why Many Fail as Houseplants

Colored callas are often forced into bloom for sale. Without a proper dormancy cycle, they exhaust their energy and die. They are not true evergreen houseplants. If you lack a suitable cool space, treat them as annuals or dig and store rhizomes in peat/vermiculite.