Learning how to transplant calla lilies allows you to propagate new plants or refresh their growing space. This simple process can rejuvenate an overcrowded clump or help you move these elegant flowers to a better spot in your garden. With the right timing and technique, you can ensure your callas thrive after being moved.
This guide will walk you through every step. We will cover the best times to transplant, how to prepare the new location, and detailed instructions for digging up and replanting your calla lily rhizomes. You will also learn essential aftercare tips to promote healthy growth and beautiful blooms.
How To Transplant Calla Lilies
The core process of transplanting calla lilies involves a few key stages. You need to choose the right time, handle the rhizomes carefully, and provide proper post-transplant care. Following these steps methodically will give your plants the best chance for success.
When Is The Best Time To Transplant Calla Lilies
Timing is the most critical factor for a successful transplant. The goal is to move the plants when they are dormant and not actively growing. This minimizes stress and allows them to establish roots in their new location before demanding growth begins.
For gardeners in most climates, the ideal time is in the fall, after the foliage has died back. This signals the plant is entering dormancy. Alternatively, you can transplant in early spring, just as new growth is about to emerge from the soil. Avoid transplanting during the summer flowering period, as this can shock the plant and interrupt blooming.
Transplanting In Fall
Fall transplanting is often prefered for calla lilies in warmer climates (USDA zones 8-10). Once the leaves have yellowed and died back, you can dig up the rhizomes. This allows you to divide them and replant immediately before winter rains help with establishment.
Transplanting In Spring
In colder regions (zones 7 and below), spring transplanting is safer. If you dig up rhizomes in the fall, you must store them indoors over winter. Then, replant them after the last frost date in spring. You can also transplant entire clumps in early spring before significant growth appears.
Essential Tools And Materials You Will Need
Gathering your tools before you start makes the job smoother. You do not need specialized equipment, just a few basic gardening items.
- A garden spade or shovel
- A garden fork (very helpful for loosening soil)
- Sharp, clean knife or pruning shears
- Gardening gloves
- A hose or bucket of water
- Fresh potting mix or well-amended garden soil
- Optional: A tarp or wheelbarrow for holding soil and plants
Choosing And Preparing The New Planting Site
Calla lilies need specific conditions to flourish. Do not just dig a hole anywhere; take time to prepare a welcoming new home for them.
Sunlight Requirements
Calla lilies perform best in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, they appreciate afternoon shade to protect them from intense heat. Aim for at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
Soil Conditions And Drainage
This is non-negotiable. Calla lilies require rich, moist, but exceptionally well-draining soil. They love water but will quickly rot in soggy, waterlogged ground. If your soil is heavy clay, you must amend it.
- Work in generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure.
- For poor drainage, consider raising the planting bed or creating a mound.
- For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix designed for bulbs or indoor plants.
Spacing Considerations
Give your calla lilies room to grow. Plant rhizomes about 12 to 18 inches apart. This spacing ensures good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases, and gives each plant ample resources.
Step-By-Step Guide To Digging Up Calla Lily Rhizomes
Now, let’s get to the practical work. Handling the rhizomes with care during this phase is crucial.
- Water the Plant: A day before digging, give the calla lily a thorough watering. This moistens the soil, making it easier to dig and reducing stress on the roots.
- Cut Back Foliage: Using your shears, trim any remaining foliage down to about 2-3 inches above the soil line. This makes handling easier and helps the plant focus energy on root establishment.
- Dig a Wide Perimeter: Insert your spade into the soil about 6-8 inches away from the base of the plant. You want to dig a wide circle around it to avoid slicing through the rhizomes.
- Lift the Clump: Gently work the spade or fork under the root ball and carefully lift the entire plant clump from the ground. Shake off excess soil gently.
How To Divide Calla Lily Rhizomes
Transplanting is the perfect opportunity to divide your calla lilies and create new plants. Division helps control size and encourages more vigorous blooming.
- Clean the Rhizomes: Rinse the soil off the clump with a gentle spray of water. This allows you to see the growth points clearly.
- Inspect for Health: Look for firm, healthy rhizomes. Discard any sections that are mushy, rotten, or show signs of disease.
- Identify Growth Points: Look for the “eyes” or small pinkish buds on the rhizome. These are where new shoots will emerge.
- Make the Division: Using your clean, sharp knife, cut the rhizome into sections. Ensure each section has at least one, but preferably two or three, healthy growth eyes.
- Let Them Callus: Before replanting, let the cut surfaces dry and form a callus for a few hours. This helps prevent rot when they are placed in moist soil.
Planting Calla Lily Rhizomes Correctly
Proper planting depth and orientation are key. Getting this wrong can lead to poor growth or rot.
- Dig the Hole: In your prepared soil, dig a hole about 4 inches deep.
- Position the Rhizome: Place the rhizome in the hole with the growth eyes (the bumpy points) facing upward. If you’re unsure, plant it horizontally.
- Cover with Soil: Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming it down to remove large air pockets. The top of the rhizome should be about 3-4 inches below the soil surface.
- Water Thoroughly: Give the newly planted rhizome a good, deep watering to settle the soil around it.
Post-Transplant Care And Maintenance
Your job isn’t over once the rhizomes are in the ground. Consistent aftercare ensures they establish well and produce stunning flowers.
Watering Schedule After Transplanting
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy for the first few weeks. This encourages new root growth. Once you see green shoots emerging, you can maintain a regular watering schedule, providing about 1 inch of water per week, more during hot, dry spells.
Fertilizing For Growth And Blooms
Calla lilies are heavy feeders. About a month after planting, begin feeding with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 formula) every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus as blooming time approaches to support flower development.
Mulching And Weed Control
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, like bark chips or straw, around the plants. This helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature. Keep the mulch a couple inches away from the base of the stems to prevent rot.
Troubleshooting Common Transplant Problems
Sometimes, issues arise. Here’s how to identify and fix common problems after transplanting calla lilies.
Yellowing Leaves After Transplant
Some yellowing of older leaves is normal due to transplant shock. However, widespread yellowing can indicate overwatering, poor drainage, or a nutrient deficiency. Check your soil moisture and ensure the planting site drains well.
Lack Of Flowering
If your calla lilies grow leaves but no flowers, several factors could be at play. The most common are too much nitrogen fertilizer (which promotes leafy growth), insufficient sunlight, or the rhizomes being planted too shallow or too deep. It can also take a season for divided plants to build up enough energy to bloom.
Pests And Diseases To Watch For
Keep an eye out for common issues. Aphids and spider mites can sometimes bother the foliage; a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap usually handles them. The main disease threat is rhizome rot, caused by overly wet soil. Ensuring excellent drainage is your best prevention.
Transplanting Calla Lilies In Pots And Containers
The process for container-grown calla lilies is similar but with a few specific considerations. They typically need dividing and repotting more frequently, every year or two.
- Choose a container with excellent drainage holes that is at least 10-12 inches in diameter.
- Use a premium potting mix, not garden soil.
- Follow the same planting depth guidelines (3-4 inches deep).
- Water potted callas more frequently, as containers dry out faster than garden soil.
- You may need to lift and store the rhizomes indoors over winter if you live in a cold climate, as pots freeze more easily than the ground.
Overwintering Transplanted Calla Lilies
In regions with cold winters (zones 7 and below), calla lily rhizomes will not survive freezing in the ground. After the first frost kills the foliage in the fall, you need to prepare them for winter.
- Carefully dig up the rhizomes you transplanted.
- Cut off the dead foliage, leaving about an inch of stem.
- Let them dry in a warm, airy place for a few days.
- Brush off any dry soil and store them in a box or paper bag filled with slightly moist peat moss or vermiculite.
- Place the box in a cool, dark, and dry location where temperatures stay between 50-60°F.
- Replant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in the spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Transplant Calla Lilies While They Are Blooming?
It is not recommended. Transplanting during bloom puts immense stress on the plant, often causing it to abort its flowers and focus on root survival. For the health of the plant and to preserve the blooms, always wait until the dormant period.
How Deep Should You Plant Calla Lily Bulbs?
Calla lily rhizomes should be planted about 3 to 4 inches deep with the growth eyes facing upward. This depth provides stability, protects the rhizome from temperature fluctuations, and is ideal for proper shoot emergence.
Why Are My Transplanted Calla Lilies Drooping?
Drooping, or wilting, is a classic sign of transplant shock. It usually means the roots are struggling to take up enough water to support the leaves. Ensure the soil is moist (not waterlogged), provide some temporary shade during the hottest part of the day, and be patient. They should perk up as new roots form.
How Often Should Calla Lilies Be Divided?
Calla lilies benefit from being divided every 2 to 4 years. Signs that they need dividing include overcrowded clumps, smaller leaves, and significantly reduced flowering. Regular division keeps the plants healthy and productive.
What Is The Difference Between A Calla Lily Bulb And Rhizome?
People often refer to calla lily “bulbs,” but they are technically rhizomes. A rhizome is a thickened underground stem that grows horizontally and stores energy. True bulbs, like tulips, have a different layered structure. The planting and care for rhizomes is similar to bulbs, but it’s helpful to know the correct term when seeking advice.