Elaborate pruning is not necessary with the indoor calla lily. Use scissors to remove dead flowers and leaves that turn yellow after flowering. You can also cut a flower every now and then for the vase.
When and how should you cut calla lilies?
Cutting calla is necessary to remove dried, faded flowers and yellow leaves. Use a clean, sharp knife and never remove green leaves. To prepare for winter rest, cut off all parts of the plant above the bulb. Wear gloves to protect yourself from the slightly poisonous plant sap.
When is cutting necessary?
- Flowers for the vase
- Dried
- Flowered flowers
- Yellow leaves after flowering time
Cutting calla lilies for the vase
Use a sharp knife as scissors will squeeze the stems too much. Cut the flower as far down as possible.
Before the flower goes into the vase, you should straighten the bottom of the stem; it is not cut at an angle. You can prevent unwanted curling by sticking a strip of scotch tape over the cut point around the stem.
Cutting dry and faded flowers
You should cut off all dried parts of the plant as soon as possible. They pose a risk of rot, which in the worst case scenario will lead to the calla lily dying.
You can also remove flowers that have bloomed. Cut the stems just above the bulb.
You must never remove the green leaves. Through them, the plant gathers strength for the next flowering period. Only when the leaves have turned very yellow and begin to shrink can you cut them.
Preparing Calla for winter rest
Before the calla goes dormant, cut off all parts of the plant above the bulb. This also applies if you only overwinter the onion.
Use clean tools
Only use very sharp and, above all, clean knives or scissors. The calla is very sensitive. The long stems quickly begin to rot or mold if you transmit viral diseases through unclean tools.
Be careful when cutting the poisonous indoor calla
The indoor calla lily is slightly poisonous. This also applies to the plant sap that escapes if it is damaged during cutting. Therefore, always work with gloves when caring for the calla.
Tips & Tricks
Calla is considered the flower of immortality. It is often used in funeral arrangements and funeral wreaths. The beautiful flowers also represent beauty and admiration. They are therefore often given away as cut flowers for weddings or Valentine's Day.
