How to grow Giant White Arum Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Arum Lilies can be left outside in most frost-prone areas if it is given a deep winter mulch. It can withstand a frost if protected by trees 1.

Grow in moist soil with heavy loam soil in water 30cm (12") deep. Mulch plants well in winter by folding the leaves over the plant.

Arums can tolerate sun, but do best in partial shade 1.

Growing Giant white arum lily from seed

Germinate seeds in wet sand 1. The grey seeds can be sown in clean seedling mix and covered lightly. Take care not to sow them too thickly as they will need space to form the fleshy roots2.

Transplanting Giant white arum lily

The fleshy rootstock can be divided when the plant is dormant, it should be re-planted about 5 cm deep. It may also be propagated by division where the plant is not dormant, use a sharp spade to cut out a section for replanting.2

As Giant white arum lily is half hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Harvesting Giant white arum lily

The more the flowers are cut, the more the plant will produce, but take care as the sap/juice is an irritant to mucous membranes 1.

Seed Saving Giant white arum lily

The fruit is ripe when it has turned yellowish and is soft. The pulp should be removed and the seed dried off. 2

How long does Giant white arum lily take to grow?

These estimates for how long Giant white arum lily takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Giant white arum lily to germinate?
24 days

Average 24 days | Min 21 days | Max 30 days (2)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Giant white arum lily?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Giant white arum lily is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Giant white arum lily?
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Giant white arum lily Etymology

The genus Zantedeschia was named in honour of the Italian physician and botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773 – 1846), who published works on the flora of the province of Brescia in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.2

The species name aethiopica is not directly related to Ethiopia – in classical times it meant south of the known world i.e. south of Egypt and Libya. Several southern African plants were given this specific epiphet early on. 2

Giant white arum lily Folklore & Trivia

- the flower means “forsaken” when used in a bouquet 1

Other names for Giant white arum lily

Calla lily, Calla, Arum, common arum lily, white arum lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Calla aethiopica, Richardia aethiopica

Misspellings: Cala Lily, Calla Lilly

Footnotes

1 :Growing Herbs with Margaret Roberts; First published 1985

2 Zantedeschia aethiopica on the South African National Biodiversity website, PlantzAfrica:http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantwxyz/zantedeschaeth.htm


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