The Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) is widely admired for its distinctive flower structure, which is not a true flower but a modified leaf called a spathe, curving around a central spike of tiny true flowers known as a spadix. Its elegant, trumpet-shaped form and glossy, arrow-shaped foliage make it a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements.
Many gardeners seek plants with a similar aesthetic for varied growing conditions, a broader color palette, or indoor suitability. This article explores several plants that share visual kinship with the Calla Lily, highlighting their characteristics.
Plants That Resemble Calla Lilies
Peace Lily
The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is a popular houseplant recognized for its white spathe that resembles the Calla Lily’s form. This hood-like bract surrounds a pale yellow or greenish spadix. Peace Lilies have large, glossy, deep green, oval leaves that emerge from a central stalk, contrasting with the Calla Lily’s arrow-shaped leaves.
Peace Lilies thrive indoors in warm, humid environments with indirect sunlight, and are known for their air-purifying qualities. Their spathe remains white, sometimes developing a greenish tint with age, unlike Calla Lilies which exhibit a wide spectrum of colors. Peace Lilies are larger, often reaching up to 6 feet, compared to Calla Lilies which grow to 2-3 feet.
Anthurium
Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum), also known as the Flamingo Flower, features a waxy, heart-shaped or oval spathe. These spathes come in various colors, including red, pink, white, and green, often with a contrasting yellow or white spadix. Both Anthuriums and Calla Lilies belong to the Araceae family and possess a spathe and spadix structure, but their overall forms differ.
Anthurium leaves are heart-shaped, glossy, and deep green, contributing to a tropical appearance. Unlike the funnel-shaped spathe of the Calla Lily, the Anthurium’s spathe is flatter and more open. Native to tropical regions, these plants prefer warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light, making them suitable indoor plants.
Water Arum
The Water Arum (Calla palustris) is distinct from the Calla Lily but shares a similar inflorescence structure, featuring a white spathe enclosing a greenish spadix. This aquatic perennial has glossy, heart-shaped leaves that arise on long stalks from its rhizome. Its appearance is often mistaken for a single flower, like the Calla Lily.
A primary distinguishing factor for the Water Arum is its preferred habitat: it flourishes in shallow, still water or boggy conditions, often found at pond edges. The Calla Lily prefers moist but well-drained soil and can be grown in water up to 12 inches deep. Its leaves are typically smaller, measuring 2-4 inches long, and its growth habit is rambling, spreading to form dense colonies.
Arum Lily
The term “Arum Lily” can refer to the white Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), but also to Arum italicum. This plant has large, arrowhead-shaped leaves that are dark green with silver-gray or white stripes or veins. Its flower consists of a greenish-white, hood-like spathe enclosing a pale to dark yellow or dull brown spadix.
Unlike the Calla Lily, Arum italicum often has an unpleasant odor during blooming, which attracts pollinators like flies. Its growth cycle differs: foliage emerges in autumn, persists through winter, and often dies back in summer, with red-orange berries appearing after flowering. This plant can be invasive in some regions due to its spread through underground tubers and berries.
Voodoo Lily
The Voodoo Lily (Amorphophallus konjac) has an inflorescence with a spathe and spadix structure, similar in form to Calla Lilies but different in other aspects. Its spathe is large, often ruffled, and can range from brown-purple to deep reddish-purple or maroon, surrounding a spadix. A characteristic of the Voodoo Lily is the strong, foul odor it emits during its brief blooming period, resembling rotting flesh, which attracts pollinators.
Its foliage is distinct, with a single, intricately divided leaf that emerges after the flower, giving an umbrella-like appearance on a mottled stem. This tuberous plant can grow large, with leaves up to 4 feet across and stems up to 6 feet tall. Its growth habit involves summer dormancy, with the leaf dying back in late summer or fall, contrasting with the Calla Lily’s consistent foliage.
Selecting Your Ideal Calla Lily Alternative
Choosing a plant that resembles a Calla Lily involves considering several factors beyond aesthetics. The desired growing environment is a primary consideration; some, like the Peace Lily, thrive as indoor houseplants, while others, such as the Water Arum, require aquatic or boggy conditions. Light requirements also vary, with Peace Lilies preferring indirect light and many Calla Lily varieties thriving in brighter conditions, requiring a match to the intended location.
Moisture needs are another criterion, ranging from the moist soil preferred by Calla Lilies to the wet, even standing water, suitable for Water Arums. Bloom color preferences are met, as many of these plants offer a spectrum of hues, from the white of Peace Lilies to the reds and pinks of Anthuriums. Plant size and growth habit should align with the available space and design intentions, whether a compact indoor plant or a larger garden specimen. Toxicity concerns, particularly in homes with pets or children, warrant investigation, as many plants in the Araceae family contain irritants.