Zantedeschia aethiopica

RHS Plant Profile
arum lily

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arum lily RHS 2002
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Other common names

African lily, altar lily, calla lily, Egyptian lily, lily of the Nile, richardia, trumpet lily, white arum lily

Synonyms

Brosimum aethiopica, Calla aethiopica

Aquatic Herbaceous Perennial Bogs
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A clump-forming herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial with erect, long-stalked, dark glossy green, arrow-shaped leaves to 40cm in length and funnel-shaped white spathes to 25cm in length, with yellow spadices

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–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)
H4

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 eaten; skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten; skin/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
Correct
Plant Range
S Africa, Lesotho

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in full sun or part shade in moisture-retentive soil; in containers planted in peat-free John Innes No2 potting compost or can also be grown as a marginal plant in water up to 30cm (1ft) deep. Use aquatic compost and a 30cm (1ft) deep planting basket. See zantedeschia cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Tidy any foliage blackened by frosts

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids or Thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal and bacterial rots and a virus