Calla Flowers

Calla flowers (commonly called calla lilies) are elegant spathe-and-spadix blooms from the genus Zantedeschia, prized in weddings and sympathy designs for their sculptural form and symbolism of purity and refined beauty.

Occasions & recipients

Find flowers by occasion

Best occasions

  • Weddings and bridal bouquets
  • Funerals and sympathy
  • Easter and religious ceremonies
  • Anniversaries
  • Baptisms/First Communion

Suitable for

  • Spouse or partner
  • Newlyweds
  • Grieving family
  • Mother or maternal figure
  • Colleague or client
Color taboos
  • All‑white arrangements can signify mourning/funerals in many East Asian cultures.
  • Deep purple/black tones read somber; avoid for birthdays unless the recipient prefers dark florals.
  • In parts of Southern Europe, white callas are closely tied to funerals—choose colored varieties for celebrations.
Card messages
  • Wishing you a lifetime of elegant love—congratulations on your wedding.
  • With deepest sympathy—may these callas bring peace and remembrance.
  • Celebrating your enduring love—happy anniversary.
  • Easter blessings—may hope and renewal fill your home.
  • Warm wishes in your new home—may grace and beauty bloom in every room.

At a glance

Key details

Quick reference for habitat, gifting etiquette, and safety when choosing flowers for different occasions and recipients.

Use this section as a practical checklist: where they grow, how to present them thoughtfully, and what to keep in mind regarding toxicity and sensitivity.

Botanical info

Taxonomy
Genus Zantedeschia (not a true lily); Family Araceae; Order Alismatales; commonly sold as calla lily; notable species: Z. aethiopica (white), Z. elliottiana (yellow), Z. rehmannii (pink).
Distribution
Native to southern Africa; naturalized in Mediterranean/oceanic climates; cultivated worldwide as cut flowers and ornamentals.
Conservation
Not globally threatened; widely cultivated. Some species (e.g., Zantedeschia aethiopica) naturalize and may be invasive in mild, wet regions—use nursery-propagated stock and dispose of garden waste responsibly.
Presentation etiquette
Condition stems in clean, cool water 2–4 hours before gifting; keep stems long and upright to prevent spathe bruising. Choose white for sympathy/religious settings, colored for celebrations. Avoid mixing with fruit (ethylene sensitive). Remove damaged leaves; minimal greenery showcases their sculptural form.
Ideal delivery time
Deliver in the cool morning; for weddings, 1 day before the event; for funerals, day‑of or the day before the service.
Toxicity
All parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals; ingestion causes oral burning, drooling, and vomiting (pets and humans). Sap may irritate skin/eyes—keep away from children, cats, and dogs.
Allergenicity
Low airborne pollen; sap contains calcium oxalate raphides that can irritate skin and mucous membranes—handle with gloves if sensitive.

Meaning & taboos

Symbolism & color
A classic emblem of purity, refined elegance, and the renewal of life—equally at home in weddings and memorials.

Growing & tools

Care & gear
Growing tips
Rhizomatous perennials (USDA 8–10; grown as annuals or lifted in colder zones). Plant rhizomes 5–8 cm deep after frost in rich, well‑drained, consistently moist soil; sun to bright partial shade (more shade in hot climates). Keep evenly moist during active growth; feed every 2–3 weeks. White Z. aethiopica tolerates boggy sites; colored hybrids prefer slightly drier soil and a dry rest after bloom. Protect from frost; lift/store rhizomes dry at 10–15°C where winters freeze. Watch for snails, slugs, and aphids; avoid waterlogged pots.
Recommended tools
  • Hand trowel
  • Bulb/rhizome planter
  • Bypass snips
  • Watering can or soaker hose
  • Fertilizer scoop
Symbolizes
  • Purity and innocence
  • Elegant beauty
  • Faith and holiness
  • Rebirth and resurrection
  • Sympathy and remembrance
  • Marital bliss