Zantedeschia aethiopica
Calla Lily · Arum Lily
About the plant
What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
Safety
- Toxicity
- Medium severity. Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Sap/Juice, Stems. Calcium oxalate.
The plant
- Habit
- Herbaceous perennialPlant Finder
- Habit
- Perennial, Forb/herbPLANTS Database
- Height
- 2-3 ftPlant Finder
- Spread
- 1.5-2 ftPlant Finder
- Flower
- Showy, good cut; white spathe with yellow spadixPlant Finder
- Blooms
- June to JulyPlant Finder
- Native range
- Southern AfricaPlant Finder
- Hardiness zones
- 8-10Plant Finder
- Note
- The green capsule round the seed photosynthesises, and appears to secrete a germination inhibitor.Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Watering
- Medium to wet
Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.
Protocol
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Low
Clean the flesh off the seed
Take the seed out of the green capsule and rinse it in water.
Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark
No stated waiting before sowing. Then 28 days to germinate.
100% germination in 28 days.
Every seed, once it is out of the capsule. Left in, germination is delayed. Light and a prior 3 months at 40 made no difference.