Arum Lily Care and Growing is easy if you follow the procedure correctly. Read on to learn about How to Grow Arum Lilies in this detailed article below!

Look at some stunning flowers starting with ‘A’ here

Arum Lily Plant Profile

Native to South Africa, Arum Lily’s rigid and vertical flower stalk ends in a spathe flared funnel that hides a yellow or orange spadix. The plant blooms in shades of white, orange, yellow, pink, and dark purple from summer to early fall.

Arum Lilies are widely noted for their beauty and are used as cut flowers for decorative purposes.

Botanical Name: Zantedeschia

USDA Zones: 8-11

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Arum Lily Plant Propagation

The simplest and quickest way of propagating Arum Lily is by division of rhizomes or plant bulbs. You can also grow it from seeds, but it is a time-consuming process.

  • Take the plant out from the pot or garden and clean the soil around the roots to have a good look at the bulbs. Using a sharp knife, divide the clumps with a bit of root attached to them.
  • Get a 10-12 inches deep pot and fill it with fertile, loosened soil.
  • Sow the rhizomes at a depth of 4-6 inches and cover them with a thin layer of the potting mix.
  • Sowing one rhizome per pot is advisable as the plants spread their leaves wide and far.
  • Plant them with the flat surface facing the ground and the pointed end upwards. The new shoot will grow from the pointed end.
  • Water well and Keep the pot in bright sunlight.

New shoots appear within 2-3 weeks of planting the rhizomes. 

Pro Tip: Divide the rhizomes in late fall to let them heal by spring before the onset of their growing season.

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Requirements for Growing Arum Lily

Sunlight

Choose a location that is sunny but not hot. However, do not expose the plant to long hours of the scorching sun. Also, it is sensitive to cold drafts and windy exposure. A location that gets bright but indirect light is best.

The arum can also be planted near a pond or stream and directly into the water as it is a semi-aquatic plant.

Soil

The arum prefers evenly moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with a humus-rich fertilizer and a handful of perlite to ensure proper drainage.

Watering

This plant grows well at the pond’s edge, revealing its extensive watering needs. Water the Arum Lily thoroughly and regularly. However, do not wet the plant when it goes dormant in winter.

Temperature & Humidity

Arum Lilies love considerably warmer temperatures like 60-80 F or 16-27 C. Temperatures below 50 F or 10 C will lead the plant to dormancy.

Also, Arum Lilies thrive in humid climates, so keep a humidifier handy to make up for the dry weather.

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Arum Lily Care

Fertilizer

Arum lily is a demanding plant and needs regular fertilization. Feed the plant with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer every month during the growing season for a beautiful flower show.

Alternatively, organic manure such as cow dung compost, bone meal, and fish emulsion also boosts plant growth. Do not fertilize the lilies in the dormant periods.

Mulching

Mulch the base of the plant with organic matter such as hay, birch chips, or dry leaves to protect it from cold.

Pruning

Arum lilies do not require to be pruned; you may trim overgrown plants if they look messy and cut off any leaves that have turned black due to winter frost.

Pests and Diseases

It can be affected by fungal diseases like root rot or collar rot and pests, including aphids, mites, and mealybugs. Use a monthly dose of insecticidal soap solution to fight the pests.

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Overwintering Arum Lily

Arum lily care in winter is easy in mild winter climates (USDA Zones 8-11). Whereas, in cooler zones, you will need to save the bulbs from frost, and collect and dry them in the sun for a few days.

Move the potted plant indoors or in a greenhouse, at a temperature around 50 F or 10 C, and reduce watering.

Toxicity

Keep it away from the reach of children as it should not be ingested under any circumstances. Care must be taken with its sap when cutting or pruning, due to its hyper-irritating nature.

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  • Moyra

  • August 12, 2016 At 7:11 pm

  • I bought this last week and have done anything with it except water it. It looked great when I bought it and has signs of new growth but one or two of the established leaves are yellowing at the edges. Can you tell me what may be causing this? PS very informative inspirational web site

  • Reply

  • Fionna Marais

  • September 28, 2016 At 1:36 pm

  • I’m not an expert but yellow leaves in plants usually means overwatering.

  • Reply

  • Nellie Nel

  • November 12, 2016 At 1:12 pm

  • I need advice on cultivating arum lilies in standing water

  • Reply

  • Nellie Nel

  • November 12, 2016 At 1:13 pm

  • Thanks

  • Reply

  • vivian gerard

  • April 13, 2017 At 2:57 pm

  • i had the arum lily but dont know if it survied this last winter i see no new shoots coming up when should they start poking thru the groung in abbotsford bc zone 8

  • Reply

  • Ann Terry

  • April 29, 2017 At 9:31 pm

  • Will white arum lilies grow in Brisbane I haven’t had success so far

  • Reply

  • Diana

  • July 13, 2017 At 6:06 pm

  • Arum Lillies will grow very successfully in a pond but in the Autumn it must be removed and planted into the ground or the freezing water will kill it. Sadly I know this from experience. So too much water in not a problem. Yellow leaves could be caused by a lack of nutrients. Mine is in chalky soil, has been watered when required, is in semi shade and has flowered well this year. Another I know of has grown in clay/silty soil, been well watered, situated in full sun with north wind protection and has produced more flowers than mine. Both have had leaf yellowing but the leaves are simply removed.

  • Reply

  • Diana

  • July 13, 2017 At 6:07 pm

  • Oh and we live in chilly East Yorkshire.

  • Reply

  • Cibells

  • August 9, 2017 At 11:03 am

  • I have a ‘black’ arum lily in a pot. This year, the actual flowerhead is filled with small bulbs. Can I plant these?

  • Reply

  • durant29

  • October 27, 2018 At 5:56 pm

  • Yes. Remove the fleshy outer coat, then plant the small black seeds about 1cm below the surface. They will sprout in the spring.

  • Reply

  • vivian gerard

  • April 6, 2018 At 3:30 pm

  • love the arum lily in the flower beds but mine all died as it was just so cold this winter now bought one and have put it in a pot when should i put it outside in abbotsford bc just love them

  • Reply

  • Wilma Wilson

  • June 5, 2018 At 10:41 pm

  • I have a white arum lily from a plant my Grandmother had, and she died in 1963! I keep it indoors in a pot. I haven’t had any flowers for a while, but it’s healthy, and I’m just glad it’s still alive!

  • Reply

  • Double D

  • June 23, 2018 At 12:48 pm

  • Why is my Callalily a double plus then growing a Nother one right on the same stand beside it

  • Reply

  • Christine Brownie

  • September 20, 2018 At 1:24 pm

  • I have a almost black army lily. Is the care the same as a white one?

  • Reply

  • Twizz

  • May 21, 2019 At 1:58 pm

  • Arum Lillies are not nice plants at all.

  • Please grow something else from this wonderfull catalogue.

  • They are poisonous, extremely invasive to the natural environment, almost impossible to kill off and dont even help bees. In Australia, they are a notifiable weed.

  • Thank you.

  • Reply

  • John

  • November 14, 2022 At 6:43 pm

  • You are 100% right if you live in OZ They are not indigenous to your country and them and any other non indigenous trees and plants should not be encouraged. In South Africa, Arums are lovely (bees adore them) gardens are full of them.

  • Enjoy your indigenous garden!!

  • Reply

  • Fionna Marais

  • September 28, 2016 At 1:36 pm

  • I’m not an expert but yellow leaves in plants usually means overwatering.

  • Reply

I bought this last week and have done anything with it except water it. It looked great when I bought it and has signs of new growth but one or two of the established leaves are yellowing at the edges. Can you tell me what may be causing this? PS very informative inspirational web site

I’m not an expert but yellow leaves in plants usually means overwatering.

I need advice on cultivating arum lilies in standing water

Thanks

i had the arum lily but dont know if it survied this last winter i see no new shoots coming up when should they start poking thru the groung in abbotsford bc zone 8

Will white arum lilies grow in Brisbane I haven’t had success so far

Arum Lillies will grow very successfully in a pond but in the Autumn it must be removed and planted into the ground or the freezing water will kill it. Sadly I know this from experience. So too much water in not a problem. Yellow leaves could be caused by a lack of nutrients. Mine is in chalky soil, has been watered when required, is in semi shade and has flowered well this year. Another I know of has grown in clay/silty soil, been well watered, situated in full sun with north wind protection and has produced more flowers than mine. Both have had leaf yellowing but the leaves are simply removed.

Oh and we live in chilly East Yorkshire.

  • durant29
  • October 27, 2018 At 5:56 pm
  • Yes. Remove the fleshy outer coat, then plant the small black seeds about 1cm below the surface. They will sprout in the spring.
  • Reply

I have a ‘black’ arum lily in a pot. This year, the actual flowerhead is filled with small bulbs. Can I plant these?

Yes. Remove the fleshy outer coat, then plant the small black seeds about 1cm below the surface. They will sprout in the spring.

love the arum lily in the flower beds but mine all died as it was just so cold this winter now bought one and have put it in a pot when should i put it outside in abbotsford bc just love them

I have a white arum lily from a plant my Grandmother had, and she died in 1963! I keep it indoors in a pot. I haven’t had any flowers for a while, but it’s healthy, and I’m just glad it’s still alive!

Why is my Callalily a double plus then growing a Nother one right on the same stand beside it

I have a almost black army lily. Is the care the same as a white one?

  • John
  • November 14, 2022 At 6:43 pm
  • You are 100% right if you live in OZ They are not indigenous to your country and them and any other non indigenous trees and plants should not be encouraged. In South Africa, Arums are lovely (bees adore them) gardens are full of them.
  • Enjoy your indigenous garden!!
  • Reply

Arum Lillies are not nice plants at all. Please grow something else from this wonderfull catalogue. They are poisonous, extremely invasive to the natural environment, almost impossible to kill off and dont even help bees. In Australia, they are a notifiable weed. Thank you.

You are 100% right if you live in OZ They are not indigenous to your country and them and any other non indigenous trees and plants should not be encouraged. In South Africa, Arums are lovely (bees adore them) gardens are full of them. Enjoy your indigenous garden!!

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