Calla lilies: the most elegant flower

What it means to give calla lilies

The calla lily is associated with purity, elegance and rebirth. Its simple, almost sculptural shape makes it perfect for minimalist bouquets, and its white color has made it a flower for weddings, christenings and farewells.

What looks like a single rolled petal is actually a modified leaf, the spathe, wrapped around the yellow spadix where the real flowers are. Besides classic white, there are yellow, pink, orange and almost-black purple callas, from other Zantedeschia species.

Cala, alcatraz or cartucho

It is the same flower with different names in each Spanish-speaking country: alcatraz in Mexico and Central America, cala in Spain, Argentina and Chile, and cartucho in Colombia and Peru. Its scientific name honors the Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi, and although it is called a calla lily in English, it is not related to lilies.

Diego Rivera’s flower

The calla lily is native to southern Africa, but it adapted so well to Mexico that today it is a symbol of the country. Diego Rivera painted it again and again in the arms of Indigenous flower sellers and porters, as in Nude with Calla Lilies (1944). In Mexican markets it is sold almost all year:

• Spain: April, May.
• Mexico and Central America: January, February, March, April, November, December.
• Argentina, Chile and Uruguay: June, July.

When to give calla lilies

• Weddings: a bridal bouquet of white callas is one of the most elegant and easiest to carry.
• Sympathy: white, in a wreath or a bouquet, they convey respect and peace.
• Openings and new homes: for their meaning of rebirth and new beginnings.
• For someone with a minimalist style: three callas in a tall vase need nothing else.

How to care for a bouquet of calla lilies

1. Shallow water: about 5 cm (2 in). The stem is fleshy and softens if deeply submerged.
2. A clean angled cut with a sharp knife, without crushing the stem.
3. No direct sun or heating: the spathes wrinkle in the heat.
4. Handle with care: pollen from the yellow spadix stains clothes and the sap irritates the skin.

In pots and in the garden

The white calla lily is a very rewarding plant: it grows in damp spots, at the edge of ponds or in large pots with plenty of water, and blooms again every spring. Colored callas, on the other hand, are hybrids of other Zantedeschia species that prefer less water and are widely sold in pots as houseplants.

If you are given one in a pot, give it plenty of light but no strong midday sun, and if it is a colored one, let the soil dry out a little between waterings.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to give calla lilies?

Purity, elegance and rebirth. That is why they appear at both weddings and funerals: the same flower serves to begin something and to say a respectful goodbye.

What are calla lilies called in Spanish?

In Mexico and Central America they are called alcatraz; in Spain, Argentina and Chile, cala; in Colombia and Peru, cartucho. Despite the English name, it is not a true lily.

Why did Diego Rivera paint calla lilies?

For Rivera the calla lily was a symbol of Indigenous Mexico and of labor: he painted it in the arms of flower sellers and porters in many works, such as Nude with Calla Lilies (1944).

Are calla lilies toxic?

Yes. They contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and stomach if chewed. Keep them away from cats, dogs and small children.

How do I care for a bouquet of calla lilies?

Shallow, cool water, a clean angled cut and a spot out of direct sun. The stem is fleshy and softens if deeply submerged. Well cared for, they last up to two weeks.