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Zantedeschia aethiopica - Calla lily in water?

squirral87k4-WvGwTsquirral87k4-WvGwT Posts: 167
in Plants
Hello,

I was given some white calla lily, dug out from a friend’s garden. It has white flowers and is evergreen.

I think it’s ‘zantedeschia aethiopica’ based on my internet search.

I’ve read online that these can live in ponds/water.

If I put the plant (with no soil) in a large garden bowl filled with water and large stones (for the roots to grasp onto)… will it survive? Basically like a mini pond with no filtration.

Thanks.
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Posts

  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    As far as I am aware a plastic aquatic basket is used for planting which is then placed in water.
  • squirral87k4-WvGwTsquirral87k4-WvGwT Posts: 167
    Thanks @Elfer. I have lots of plastic pots so I’ll just add lots of holes to them…. 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    it's not evergreen but it does need soil .
    The self seed in my garden, but I've not grown them IN water. muddy sides I know they're happy. I've read they WILL grow in water, but I've never done it. 
    Devon.
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    IIRC correctly it should be planted in soil in aquatic basket in 30cm of water.
  • squirral87k4-WvGwTsquirral87k4-WvGwT Posts: 167
    Thanks… might reconsider if it needs soil

    @Hostafan1 thanks, just checked on RHS, says it’s “semi-evergreen” - I guess it’s evergreen where I am in the SE.
  • Rob LockwoodRob Lockwood Posts: 380
    Intrigued about this plant as thought I'd killed mine off (again) but it keeps coming back.  I seem to remember the Crowborough one (mine) is the hardiest of the arum lilies but not quite hardy, which kind of leads me to think you're asking for it if growing in water.  Think they need lots of damp though - it's my planting in pots in the hot sun which keeps "killing mine off" :)
    So, I should put mine in the pond as I think it needs waterlogging (and I haven't got a bog garden) but haven't dared to so far.  Welcome any experiences!
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    they set masses of seeds and are very easy to germinate
    Devon.
  • squirral87k4-WvGwTsquirral87k4-WvGwT Posts: 167
    @Rob Lockwood if it needs waterlogged soil then it will thrive in my clay soil which gets waterlogged in the winter. I’ve planted them… will wait and see!
  • Rob LockwoodRob Lockwood Posts: 380
    edited June 2021
    Good luck squirral!
  • squirral87k4-WvGwTsquirral87k4-WvGwT Posts: 167
    Thanks (I really need to change my ‘squirral’ username!!)
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