Calla lilies are known for their elegance and striking beauty, making them a favourite in gardens and floral arrangements.
With various types of calla lily available, these flowers come in a stunning range of colours, from classic white to deep purple and vibrant orange. Each variety has its own unique features, from petal shape to growth requirements.
This guide explores 20 beautiful varieties, highlighting their appearance and growing needs to help you find the best option for your space.
1. Zantedeschia aethiopica (Common White Calla Lily)
Zantedeschia aethiopica, commonly known as the common white calla lily, is a perennial plant native to southern Africa. It thrives in moist environments, often found along streams and ponds, and can reach heights of up to 1 metre.
The plant features large, arrow-shaped dark green leaves that can grow up to 45 centimetres long. Its most distinctive feature is the pure white spathe, a funnel-shaped bract that surrounds a yellow spadix, which emits a subtle, sweet fragrance.
This species is evergreen in regions with adequate rainfall and temperatures but may become deciduous in areas with dry seasons. It's important to note that all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate, making them toxic if ingested.
2. Black Star
The 'Black Star' calla lily is renowned for its dramatic, dark purple to almost black spathes, offering a striking contrast in any garden setting. The rich, velvety blooms are complemented by lush, green foliage, creating a bold visual statement.
This variety typically blooms in mid to late summer and prefers well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade exposure. Its unique coloration makes it a popular choice for modern floral arrangements and adds depth to garden colour schemes.
3. Pink Melody
'Pink Melody' is a graceful calla lily variety featuring charming rosy-pink trumpet-shaped flowers that delicately blend to ivory green at their base. Each bloom is surrounded by elegant, arrow-shaped, dark green leaves.
This variety typically blooms from summer to fall, providing a continuous display of colour. 'Pink Melody' thrives in well-drained soil and prefers a position with full sun to partial shade. Its soft hues make it a favourite for romantic garden settings and bridal bouquets.
4. Red Alert
'Red Alert' is a vibrant calla lily variety known for its striking red spathes that can add a bold splash of colour to gardens or floral arrangements. The intense red blooms are set against deep green, arrow-shaped leaves, enhancing their vividness.
This variety typically blooms in the summer months and prefers well-drained soil with ample sunlight. 'Red Alert' is often used in cutting gardens due to its strong stems and long-lasting flowers, making it ideal for vibrant floral displays.
5. California Ice Dancer
'California Ice Dancer' is a calla lily variety that showcases pristine white spathes with a subtle green tint at the base, exuding an air of elegance and purity. The blooms are complemented by glossy, dark green foliage, making it a versatile addition to various garden designs.
This variety flourishes in well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Its timeless beauty makes it a popular choice for both contemporary and traditional floral arrangements.
6. Flame
The 'Flame' calla lily is a vibrant addition to any garden, showcasing fiery orange-red spathes that transition to golden yellow at the base. This striking coloration resembles a flickering flame, making it a popular choice for those looking to add warmth and intensity to their floral displays.
The plant's lush, green, arrow-shaped leaves provide a perfect backdrop to its vivid blooms. 'Flame' typically blooms in mid to late summer and thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade exposure. Its eye-catching appearance makes it a favourite for both garden planting and cut flower arrangements.
7. Captain Reno
'Captain Reno' is a distinguished calla lily variety known for its deep burgundy spathes that exude elegance and sophistication. The rich, velvety blooms are complemented by glossy, dark green foliage, creating a striking contrast that enhances any garden setting.
This variety blooms from early to mid-summer and prefers well-drained soil with ample sunlight. 'Captain Reno' is also prized for its sturdy stems, making it an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements that add a touch of luxury to indoor spaces.
8. Gold Crown
The 'Gold Crown' calla lily is aptly named for its radiant golden-yellow spathes that bring a burst of sunshine to gardens and floral arrangements alike. Its trumpet-shaped blooms are both bold and graceful, standing out brilliantly against the plant's lush, green foliage.
'Gold Crown' typically blooms in mid-summer and flourishes in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Its vibrant colour and robust growth habit make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking to brighten up their outdoor spaces or create cheerful, long-lasting bouquets.
9. NightCap
'Night Cap' is a captivating calla lily variety that features deep purple, almost black spathes, offering a dramatic and mysterious allure. The dark, velvety blooms are accentuated by the plant's lush, green foliage, creating a striking visual contrast.
Blooming from mid to late summer, 'Night Cap' thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. Its unique coloration makes it a standout choice for gardeners looking to add depth and intrigue to their landscapes, as well as for floral designers aiming to create bold, contemporary arrangements.
10. Picasso
The 'Picasso' calla lily is a bi-coloured beauty, showcasing creamy white spathes with rich purple throats that blend seamlessly, reminiscent of an artist's brushstroke.
This elegant variety is further complemented by its dark green, arrow-shaped leaves, some of which may be speckled with white spots, adding to its ornamental appeal.
'Picasso' typically blooms in mid-summer and prospers in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade exposure. Its sophisticated appearance makes it a popular choice for formal garden settings and upscale floral arrangements, where it adds a touch of artistic flair.
11. Crystal Blush
'Crystal Blush' is a captivating calla lily variety known for its delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers that start as pure white and gradually transition to a soft pink hue as they mature. This subtle colour change adds a dynamic and elegant touch to gardens and floral arrangements.
The blooms are complemented by mid-green, arrow-shaped leaves, creating a harmonious and refined appearance. Typically blooming from summer to fall, 'Crystal Blush' thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade.
Its understated beauty and graceful form make it a popular choice for weddings and formal events, as well as a charming addition to garden beds and containers.
12. Captain Safari
'Captain Safari' is a striking calla lily variety that boasts vibrant orange spathes with hints of red and yellow, reminiscent of a fiery sunset. These bold, trumpet-shaped blooms are set against lush, dark green foliage, creating a vivid contrast that enhances any garden setting.
Blooming from early to mid-summer, 'Captain Safari' prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Its robust stems and long-lasting flowers make it an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements, adding a touch of tropical flair to indoor displays. This variety's eye-catching colours and sturdy growth habit have made it a favourite among gardeners and florists alike.
13. Garnet Glow
'Garnet Glow' is a captivating calla lily variety that showcases deep pink to burgundy spathes, reminiscent of the rich tones of garnet gemstones. The elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers are complemented by dark green, arrow-shaped leaves, some of which may be speckled with white spots, adding to its ornamental appeal.
Blooming from mid to late summer, 'Garnet Glow' thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. Its vibrant colour and graceful form make it a popular choice for adding depth and sophistication to garden beds, borders, and floral arrangements.
14. Mango
The 'Mango' calla lily is a vibrant variety that features stunning mango-orange spathes with hints of yellow, evoking the warm hues of a tropical sunset. These eye-catching, trumpet-shaped blooms are complemented by lush, green foliage, creating a lively and exotic appearance.
'Mango' typically blooms from mid-summer to early fall and flourishes in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Its bold colour and robust growth habit make it an excellent choice for adding a splash of warmth and energy to garden beds, borders, and container plantings. Additionally, 'Mango' is popular in floral arrangements, bringing a touch of tropical flair to indoor spaces.
15. Captain Romance
'Captain Romance' is an exquisite calla lily variety known for its soft pink, trumpet-shaped blooms that exude elegance and charm. The flowers are complemented by rich green foliage speckled with small white dots, adding visual interest to the plant.
Blooming from late spring to late summer, 'Captain Romance' reaches a height of up to 25 inches and thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade.
Its long-lasting blooms and graceful appearance make it an excellent choice for beds, borders, containers, and cut flower arrangements, adding a touch of romance to any setting.
16. Schwarzwalder (Black Forest)
'Schwarzwalder,' also known as 'Black Forest,' is a captivating calla lily variety celebrated for its deep, velvety maroon to near-black spathes. These dramatic blooms create a striking contrast against the plant's glossy, dark green, arrow-shaped leaves, making 'Schwarzwalder' a standout choice for gardeners seeking to add depth and sophistication to their landscapes.
Typically reaching heights of 18 to 24 inches, this variety blooms from early to mid-summer. It thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade exposure.
The unique coloration of 'Schwarzwalder' makes it a popular choice for modern floral arrangements, adding a touch of elegance and mystery to bouquets and centerpieces.
17. Captain Rosette
'Captain Rosette' is a charming calla lily variety that features soft pink, trumpet-shaped spathes, exuding a delicate and romantic appeal. The blooms are complemented by lush, green, arrow-shaped leaves, some of which may display subtle white spotting, adding to the plant's ornamental value.
This variety typically blooms from early to mid-summer and reaches a height of approximately 16 to 20 inches.
'Captain Rosette' prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Its gentle hues make it an excellent choice for wedding bouquets, garden borders, and container plantings, where it can add a touch of elegance and grace.
18. Sunshine
The 'Sunshine' calla lily is aptly named for its vibrant, golden-yellow spathes that bring a burst of warmth and cheerfulness to any garden setting. These bright, trumpet-shaped blooms are set against a backdrop of lush, green foliage, creating a lively and eye-catching display.
'Sunshine' typically blooms from mid to late summer and can reach heights of up to 20 inches. It thrives in well-drained soil with full sun exposure, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color to their landscapes.
The radiant blooms of 'Sunshine' also make it a popular choice for cut flower arrangements, bringing a touch of brightness indoors.
19. Captain Hollywood
'Captain Hollywood' is a striking calla lily variety known for its large, vibrant red spathes that command attention in any setting. The bold blooms are complemented by sturdy, upright stems and lush, green foliage, making 'Captain Hollywood' a favorite among gardeners and florists alike.
This variety typically reaches a height of 18 inches and blooms from early spring to fall. It performs best in full sun to partial shade and requires moist, well-drained soil for optimal growth.
The dramatic coloration and robust nature of 'Captain Hollywood' make it an excellent choice for garden beds, containers, and striking floral arrangements.
20. Captain Ventura
'Captain Ventura' is a graceful calla lily variety that showcases pure white, chalice-shaped spathes, exuding an air of elegance and purity. The pristine blooms are set against an elegant backdrop of mid-green, arrow-shaped leaves adorned with white spots, adding to the plant's ornamental appeal.
Typically reaching heights of 16 to 20 inches, 'Captain Ventura' blooms from summer to early fall. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil.
The timeless beauty and sophisticated appearance of 'Captain Ventura' make it a popular choice for weddings, formal events, and refined garden settings.
Conclusion About The Types Of Calla Lily
Calla lilies are more than just elegant flowers—they bring a unique charm to any space with their striking colours and graceful shape.
With so many types of calla lily available, there’s a perfect variety for every occasion, whether you’re looking to brighten up a garden, enhance an indoor setting, or create a sophisticated floral arrangement.
Some varieties thrive in outdoor landscapes, while others make a bold statement in bouquets and centrepieces. Choosing the right type depends on your personal style, preferred colours, and growing conditions.
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With free and guaranteed on-time delivery, Windflower Florist makes gifting effortless. Need same-day flower delivery in Singapore? We’ve got you covered. Browse our collection today and let us help you create unforgettable floral moments.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Types Of Calla Lily
Does The Type Of Calla Lily Affect Its Lifespan?
Yes, different types of calla lily have varying lifespans depending on the variety and growing conditions. Hardy varieties like Zantedeschia aethiopica can live for several years with proper care, while hybrid types may have a shorter lifespan, especially in non-ideal climates. Proper watering, soil quality, and seasonal care can extend their longevity.
Are Certain Types Of Calla Lily More Fragrant Than Others?
Most types of calla lily are not strongly scented, but some varieties may have a mild fragrance. Zantedeschia aethiopica (common white calla lily) is known to have a light, sweet scent, while coloured hybrids are typically unscented. Fragrance strength can also vary depending on the climate and growth conditions.
Is There A Difference In Care Between Fresh And Dried Types Of Calla Lily?
Yes, fresh calla lilies require regular watering, indirect sunlight, and proper soil conditions to thrive, while dried or preserved calla lilies need no watering and should be kept away from moisture and direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Fresh blooms last about 7–14 days in a vase, whereas dried arrangements can last for months or even years with proper handling.
Can Different Types Of Calla Lily Grow In Tropical Climates?
Yes, many types of calla lily thrive in tropical climates, particularly varieties like Zantedeschia aethiopica that enjoy warmth and humidity. However, proper drainage is crucial to prevent root rot in consistently wet conditions. Some hybrid varieties may require partial shade to protect them from excessive heat.
When Is The Best Time To Plant Different Types Of Calla Lily?
The best time to plant calla lilies depends on the climate. In warm regions, they can be planted year-round, while in cooler areas, spring is ideal once the risk of frost has passed. Bulbs should be planted when temperatures consistently stay above 13°C for optimal growth.
