Blue Calla Lily Plant Care

Zantedeschia valida (Letty) Y.Singh

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Featuring large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves, this plant originates from South Africa where it thrives in wet, marshy areas. Plant collectors are drawn to Zantedeschia valida for its unique foliage and striking appearance, making it a sought-after addition to any collection.

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Water

Every 5–7 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Blue Calla Lily?

Water Blue Calla Lily every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Blue Calla Lily Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Blue Calla Lily?

Blue Calla Lily (Zantedeschia valida) belongs to the Araceae family within the Zantedeschia genus. Blue Calla Lily is native to KwaZulu-Natal and occurs between Ladysmith and Dundee. Blue Calla Lily is also known as Blue Arum Lily.

Blue Calla Lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Blue Calla Lily produces showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Blue Calla Lily?

Zantedeschia valida requires watering every 5–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 5–7 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Blue Calla Lily Need?

Blue Calla Lily thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Blue Calla Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Blue Calla Lily Prefer?

Zantedeschia valida grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Blue Calla Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Blue Calla Lily?

Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Blue Calla Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Blue Calla Lily?

Feed Blue Calla Lily every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Blue Calla Lily?

Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Blue Calla Lily?

Blue Calla Lily can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to calla lily plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Blue Calla Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic to humans and pets if ingested

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Blue Calla Lily?

Blue Calla Lily is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Blue Calla Lily Need?

Blue Calla Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Blue Calla Lily is native to KwaZulu-Natal and occurs between Ladysmith and Dundee.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8b – 10b

Keep exploring plants

Blue Calla Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Zantedeschia genus — compare its care with other Zantedeschia species on PlantoScan.

Zantedeschia is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.

Blue Calla Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Zantedeschia valida (Letty) Y.Singh, family Araceae (first published in S. African J. Bot. 62: 323 (1996)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Blue Calla Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8b – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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