The indoor calla (Zantedeschia) reacts to too many pollutants in the potting soil with growth disorders. Sometimes it stops blooming or even dies completely. Experts recommend repotting calla lilies every spring, even if the pot is still large enough.
How do you properly repot a calla lily?
To repot a calla, carefully remove the plant from the old pot, rinse off the soil and shorten long roots. Fill a clean pot with fresh soil, plant the tuber 5-7 cm deep and then water well. Wear gloves when repotting as the calla is slightly poisonous.
The best time to repot
Immediately after the rest period is the best time to repot the calla lilies. The plant will do well if you plant it in new soil every year.
Many pollutants accumulate in the potting soil if it is used for a long time. Through fertilizer, irrigation water and pests, the concentration of pollutants can become so high that the calla becomes sick or even dies.
How to repot the calla correctly
- Take out of the old pot
- Rinse off all soil
- Clean old or new pot well
- Feel with fresh earth
- Plant the tuber approximately five to seven centimeters deep
- Cover with soil
- Press firmly
- Water the pot in the immersion bath
Take the calla lily out of the old pot carefully so as not to damage the tuber. Cut off very long roots before placing the flower in new potting soil.
Rinse the bulb under running water to thoroughly remove the old soil.
The right pot
As with all houseplants, the pot should be neither too big nor too small. There should still be a good two to three centimeters of space around the tuber.
If you reuse the old pot, wash it well to completely remove all harmful substances. To be on the safe side, you should also clean new pots before repotting.
Cleanliness plays a big role. All equipment that you use when repotting must be completely clean and germ-free (€10.00 on Amazon).
Attention: The calla is slightly poisonous
Don't forget the gloves when doing any care work. You should never touch the calla lily with your bare skin, as the poison it contains can cause serious skin irritation.
Tips & Tricks
When repotting your calla lilies, always use a support base. The poisonous sap that the plant secretes leaves stains on the ground that are difficult to remove. You should then clean the surface thoroughly or dispose of it.
