Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily)

Other names: Trumpet lily, White arum lily, Egyptian lily, Lily of the Nile, Richardia, African lily, Altar lily, Calla lily, Calla aethiopica

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Species

Z. aethiopica is a perennial suitable for ponds, bog gardens, or moist soil. It has rich green, arrow-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped white spathes in spring and summer.

Season of interest

Flower
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Flower
Foliage
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Foliage

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Height and spread Metric \| Imperial
Size	Max height	Max spread	To maturity
1 m	0.5 m	5-10 years
3 ft	1 ft	5-10 years

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Size

Max height

Max spread

To maturity

1 m

0.5 m

5-10 years

3 ft

1 ft

5-10 years

Where to grow

Soil

Soil type

Clay
Loamy

Soil drainage

Boggy damp conditions
Pond/In water

Soil pH

Acid
Alkaline
Neutral

Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Aspect

West
South

Exposure

Exposed
Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in loam soil (ideally in planting baskets) in water up to 30cm deep, in full sun. Protect overwintering plants by removing the baskets and storing them in a frost-free environment.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Waterside, Bog garden

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

H2, H1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Upright, Clump-forming

Native to

South Africa, Lesotho

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested. The sap may irritate skin and eyes.

Plant care

Pruning

Propagation methods

Division

Pests

Aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Monthly care advice

Planting aquatic plants baskets with heavy loam soil

Overwinter tender plants in frost-free place

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (51)

Zantedeschia

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Zantedeschia 'Cameo' Arum lily 'Cameo'

Zantedeschia 'Mozart' Arum lily 'Mozart'

Zantedeschia aethiopica Arum lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess' Arum lily 'Green Goddess'

Zantedeschia 'Amethyst' Arum lily 'Amethyst'

Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Kiwi Blush' Arum lily 'Kiwi Blush'

Zantedeschia 'Picasso' Arum lily 'Picasso'

Zantedeschia 'Captain Safari' (Captain Series) Arum lily 'Captain Safari'

Zantedeschia x rehmannii 'Red Embers' Arum lily 'Red Embers'

Zantedeschia 'Schwarzwalder' Arum lily 'Schwarzwalder'

Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Crowborough' Arum lily 'Crowborough'

Zantedeschia 'Lipstick' Arum lily 'Lipstick'

Zantedeschia 'Captain Branco' (Captain Series) Arum lily 'Captain Branco'

Zantedeschia 'Purple Heart' Arum lily 'Purple Heart'

Zantedeschia 'Rubylite Rose' Calla lily 'Rubylite Rose'

Zantedeschia 'Glencoe' Arum lily 'Glencoe'

Zantedeschia 'Crystal Blush' Arum lily 'Crystal Blush'

Zantedeschia 'Cantor' Arum lily 'Cantor'

Zantedeschia 'Golden Nugget' Arum lily 'Golden Nugget'

Zantedeschia 'Captain Marrero' (Captain Series) Arum lily 'Captain Marrero'

Zantedeschia 'Red Alert' Arum lily 'Red Alert'

Zantedeschia 'Flame' Arum lily 'Flame'

Zantedeschia 'Black Magic' Arum lily 'Black Magic'

Zantedeschia 'Firelights' Arum lily 'Firelights'

Zantedeschia 'Naomi' Daylily 'Naomi'

Companion plants (74)

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Gunnera atropurpurea Purple gunnera

Gunnera perpensa River pumpkin

Nymphaea 'Mrs Richmond' Waterlily 'Mrs Richmond'

Myosotis scorpioides variegated Variegated water forget-me-not

Nymphaea odorata Fragrant waterlily

Nymphaea 'Sunny Pink' Waterlily 'Sunny Pink'

Nymphaea 'Fire Crest' Waterlily 'Fire Crest'

Nymphaea 'Walter Pagels' Waterlily 'Walter Pagels'

Nymphaea 'Rene Gerard' Waterlily 'Rene Gerard'

Nymphaea 'Paul Hariot' Waterlily 'Paul Hariot'

Schoenoplectus lacustris Bulrush

Nymphaea 'Ellisiana' Waterlily 'Ellisiana'

Nymphaea 'Snow Princess' Waterlily 'Snow Princess'

Nymphaea 'Black Princess' Waterlily 'Black Princess'

Nymphaea 'Inner Light' Waterlily 'Inner Light'

Nymphaea 'Rembrandt' Waterlily 'Rembrandt'

Nymphaea 'Carolina Sunset' Waterlily 'Carolina Sunset'

Nymphaea 'Gold Medal' Waterlily 'Gold Medal'

Nymphaea 'Rattana Ubol' Waterlily 'Rattana Ubol'

Nymphaea 'Chrysantha' Waterlily 'Chrysantha'

Related content

Good, you now have them in ideal conditions to flower next year. I had two Viburnum in pots when I moved house, one went straight into the ground and is a fully grown flowering tree the other I kept in its pot and it eventually got put in the ground about four years later, it took ages to achieve the height and flowering capabilities that the first one did.So I think you should find your plants will now thrive.
Patricia

Posted: Sunday 23rd of October 2011 12:11 PM

Re: Re: Not flowering

Shoot User

1143 0

Thank you Patricia. They are planted in a fertile soil in my bog garden which has full sun. Regards

Posted: Sunday 23rd of October 2011 06:18 AM

Re: Not flowering

Shoot User

1143 1

They need fertile, moist soil; they will grow in part shade with reduced flowering. As your plant has been in a pot the soil is probably not fertile enough. They grow in damp places at the edges of a pond, so I imagine you should plant it in decent soil, that is damp all year, but in a sunny location.
Patricia

Posted: Saturday 22nd of October 2011 02:51 PM

Not flowering

Shoot User

1143 2

I was given a large specimen 2 years ago, it remained in a large pot because of moving, after moving early this year, I divided the specimen and planted. In all of this time I have not had one single flower. Has anyone any idea why this could be?

Posted: Saturday 22nd of October 2011 08:11 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 01:11 AM

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Shoot User

1369 0

Zantedeschia plants are prone to getting yellowing of the leaves and this usually means they need a feed. have you tried a slow release feed that feeds up to a 6 month period? otherwise all you can do is just remove the yellowing of the leaves and keep them moist but not too wet.
Rachel.

Posted: Wednesday 25th of February 2009 09:02 PM Last reply: Wednesday 25th of February 2009 09:02 PM

humm..

Shoot User

1369 0

In my garden I have Zantedeschia too- the flowers are finishing now it seems- seems like most of my plants flowering times has been sped up by this weather we have had.
Are all the leaves going yellow- or just the outside ones? What type of soil are they planted in? I know you said they are mulched- but in the afternoon when you feel the soil at the roots- is it bone dry or is it still moist?

Posted: Monday 16th of June 2008 08:53 PM Last reply: Monday 16th of June 2008 08:53 PM