How do I save calla lilies bulbs for next year?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Calla lilies are beautiful flowers that can be saved and replanted year after year if cared for properly. The key steps are:

Allow foliage to die back naturally after blooming.
Dig up bulbs carefully in fall when leaves turn yellow.

Remove soil and trim roots.
Store bulbs in a cool, dry place over winter.
Replant the following spring after danger of frost has passed.

With a little time and care devoted to digging up and storing the bulbs, calla lilies will continue providing their gorgeous blooms season after season.

When to Dig Up Calla Lily Bulbs

Calla lilies are tender perennials hardy only in zones 8-11. In cooler climates they must be dug up in fall for storage over winter.

The best time for digging up the bulbs is after the foliage has died back naturally following blooming. This allows the plant to reabsorb nutrients back into the bulb for strong growth next season.

Plan to dig up calla lily bulbs once the leaves and stems turn completely yellow or brown. This typically occurs in late summer or fall. Avoid cutting back the foliage too early while it is still green.

Some key signs that calla lily bulbs are ready for harvest include:

Leaves and stems are yellow or brown in color

Plants look dried up and deflated
Frosts or cooler night temperatures have arrived

Aim to dig the bulbs before the ground freezes or the bulbs may rot over winter if left in the ground too long.

How to Dig and Store Calla Lily Bulbs

Follow these steps for successfully digging, cleaning and storing calla lily bulbs:

Carefully dig up bulbs using a garden fork or shovel. Try to dig at least 6 inches away from the plant to avoid damaging the bulb.
Gently shake or brush off excess soil but be careful not to damage the root mass.

Cut off any dead, dried up foliage and roots using scissors or pruning shears.
Select large, healthy bulbs for replanting. Discard any that are soft, moldy or diseased.
Allow bulbs to dry and cure for 1-2 weeks spread out on newspaper in a warm, dry spot out of direct sun.

Once cured, place bulbs in breathable mesh bags or paper bags. Pack with peat moss, vermiculite or wood shavings to cushion them.
Store bags of bulbs in a cool, dark place around 45-60°F over winter. A basement, garage or crawl space usually works well.
Check bulbs occasionally over winter. Remove any that show signs of rotting or disease.

In spring after danger of frost, replant healthy bulbs in well draining soil in a sunny location.

Proper curing allows cuts and nicks from digging to callous over. Storing the bulbs over winter mimics the dormancy period they need before restarting the growth cycle in spring.

Potting and Overwintering Calla Lily Bulbs

An alternative to digging and bare root storing calla lily bulbs is to pot them up for overwintering as container plants.

Here is the process:

Dig up bulbs as described above, gently removing soil and pruning roots.
Select a container with drainage holes that is only slightly larger than the root mass.

Use a well-draining potting mix amended with compost or bulb fertilizer.
Bury bulbs just deep enough so tops are at soil level.
Water well then allow soil to dry out between waterings over winter.

Store potted bulbs in a cool indoor location out of direct sun.
Check soil moisture monthly and watch for new growth in late winter.
Transition back to outdoor growing when warm enough.

The advantage of potting calla lily bulbs is they are easier to monitor over winter. However, pots require more attention to watering and proper storage temperatures.

Caring for Calla Lilies in Winter

Calla lilies require very little care when dormant over the winter months but a few simple practices will maintain bulb health:

Store bulbs or pots at the proper temperature between 45-60°F.

Check periodically for rotting bulbs and remove any diseased ones.
Re-dust bulbs with vermiculite or wood shavings if they appear dry.
Water potted bulbs only if soil is mostly dry to the touch.

Avoid letting bulbs freeze, get too warm or overly wet.

The resting bulbs need cool, dark conditions similar to their native South African winters. Taking a hands-off approach avoids unnecessary moisture that can lead to decay.

If you notice new white sprouts emerging from bulbs while in storage, move them to a slightly warmer place around 60°F to encourage new growth until they can be replanted. Avoid letting new shoots get too long before transplanting.

When to Replant Calla Lily Bulbs Outdoors

Calla lilies should be replanted outdoors once all danger of frost has passed in spring. This is typically after the average last frost date for your local growing zone.

Aim to transplant bulbs about 2-4 weeks before the end of the typical frost season. This gives them a head start on establishing roots before summer.

Check these signs to determine if calla lily bulbs are ready for replanting:

Soil temperatures reach at least 55-65°F.
Daytime air temperatures are in the 60s or warmer.
Nighttime lows stay above 40°F.

No more expected frosts or freezes.
Bulbs have sprouted and new growth is emerging.

Moving pots or bags of bulbs back outside too early increases the chance of cold damage. Be patient and wait for consistently mild conditions before replanting.

How to Replant Calla Lily Bulbs

Follow these tips for successfully transplanting stored calla lily bulbs back into the garden:

Select a site with full sun to partial shade exposure.
Prepare soil well by mixing in compost to improve drainage.

Dig holes or beds 2-3 times as deep as bulb height.
Gently place bulbs pointy end up in holes, barely covered with soil.
Space bulbs about 1 foot apart to allow room for growth.

Backfill holes and firm soil gently around bulbs.
Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil and eliminate air pockets.
Apply mulch around planted bulbs to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Once established, calla lilies grow rapidly in warm weather and will bloom about 60-90 days after planting.

Provide supplemental water if dry spells occur in early summer. Always take care not to overwater as calla lilies are prone to rot in soggy soil.

Caring for Calla Lilies After Planting

With proper care, calla lilies will grow vigorously and flower prolifically throughout the growing season:

Watering – Water deeply then allow soil to partially dry out between waterings. Avoid wet feet.
Fertilizing – Feed bulbs monthly with a water soluble, high phosphorus fertilizer.
Support – Stake taller stems or plant near other structures for support.

Deadheading – Cut off spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
Troubleshooting – Watch for aphids, slugs, botrytis, root rot, or other pests and diseases.

Remove spent foliage again in fall once it turns yellow. Dig up bulbs to store or compost plants after the first frost.

Continually dividing and replanting the small offset bulbs will create more calla lilies each year.

Key Tips for Storing Calla Lily Bulbs

Follow these important reminders for successfully saving calla lily bulbs from season to season:

Allow foliage to die back fully after blooming.

Dig carefully to avoid cutting or damaging bulbs.
Dry and cure bulbs for 1-2 weeks in a warm spot before storage.
Pack bulbs in breathable material like peat or wood shavings.

Keep stored bulbs cool, dry and dark around 45-60°F.
Check periodically for rotting bulbs and remove diseased ones.
Replant outdoors only after danger of frost has passed.

Provide plenty of sun, space, water and fertilizer after transplanting.

With proper harvesting, curing, cool storage over winter and replanting in spring, calla lily bulbs can thrive for many years as perennial flowers in the garden.

Conclusion

Calla lilies are exotic beauties in the garden but require digging up and storing their bulbs over winter in cooler climates. By allowing the foliage to die back naturally, carefully digging bulbs, drying and storing them properly over winter, and then replanting in spring, the blooms can be enjoyed year after year. Taking time to properly cure, store in cool dry conditions, and replant the bulbs at the right time will keep calla lilies thriving season after season.