Zantedeschia 'Philomena'

RHS Plant Profile

arum lily 'Philomena'

Herbaceous Perennial

A tender perennial to 50cm tall, forming an upright clump of white-spotted, arrow-shaped leaves. In summer it produces striking flowers composed of a pink spathe wrapped round a yellow spadix; the flowers are carried on stout stems and are good for cutting. Grow in a cool conservatory or as seasonal bedding

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Zantedeschia can be deciduous or semi-evergreen, tuberous perennials with lance-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves and tiny yellow flowers forming a dense spike-like spadix, with a showy, hood-like spathe, sometimes followed by orange berry-like fruits
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks. Calla lilies need a period of dormancy over winter, with little or no water. Once the leaves die down after flowering, move them to a dry, frost-free, preferably dark location until spring. See Zantedeschia cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Cut flowers

Pruning

Remove the flowers as they start to fade, pulling the entire stem out at the base

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free