Calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) are admired for their elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms and striking foliage, making them a popular choice for gardens and containers. Native to South Africa, these plants enhance any landscape. Companion planting, which involves strategically placing different plant species together, can further enhance their beauty and contribute to a healthier garden ecosystem.
Calla Lily Growing Needs
Calla lilies thrive in specific environmental conditions. They prefer partial sun, especially in hotter climates where afternoon shade prevents scorching. While some varieties tolerate full sun, bright, indirect light is ideal for optimal blooming.
Soil composition is also key. They perform best in organically rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Consistent moisture is necessary, but avoid waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, between 5.5 and 6.5, is suitable. Calla lilies have an upright, clumping growth habit, with tall stems and broad, often speckled, leaves.
Why Companion Plant with Calla Lilies
Companion planting with calla lilies offers several advantages. Pairing them with other plants enhances the garden’s visual appeal by introducing contrasting textures, colors, and forms. This creates a dynamic, layered look, highlighting the calla lilies.
Beyond aesthetics, companion planting provides practical benefits. Groundcover companions suppress weeds, reducing competition for nutrients and water. They also retain soil moisture by shading the soil, reducing watering frequency. Some attract beneficial pollinators, supporting plant health, while others deter pests like aphids.
Ideal Companion Plants for Calla Lilies
Selecting companion plants for calla lilies involves choosing species that share similar growing preferences for light, soil, and moisture. This ensures all plants thrive together. Choose plants with shallow root systems to avoid competing with calla lily rhizomes for nutrients and water.
Foliage Plants
Foliage plants provide a lush backdrop and textural contrast to calla lily blooms. Hostas are an excellent choice, with broad, varied leaf shapes and colors that complement the upright structure of calla lilies. Many hosta varieties thrive in partial shade, aligning with calla lily light needs. Ferns, such as asparagus fern, offer fine, airy textures that contrast with the calla lily’s bold leaves and spathes. Elephant ears (Alocasia spp.) provide large, dramatic leaves, creating a tropical feel, and prefer moist soil and partial shade.
Flowering Plants
Flowering companions extend the blooming season or introduce complementary colors. Impatiens, especially New Guinea impatiens, suit shaded areas and offer continuous vibrant blooms that enhance calla lilies. Astilbes, with their feathery plumes, enjoy moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, providing a different floral texture. For sunny locations, marigolds offer bright, warm colors that complement many calla lily shades, and some deter pests. Freesias, with their delicate blooms, thrive in moist, well-draining soil and are good partners.
Groundcovers
Groundcovers maintain soil health and provide a neat appearance around calla lilies. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) forms a low-growing carpet of lime green leaves, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture around calla lilies. It prefers partial shade, but the shade from taller calla lilies can be sufficient. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is another effective groundcover thriving in similar moist, shaded conditions, offering attractive foliage and small flower spikes.
Creating and Caring for Your Combined Garden
Designing a garden space with companion plants involves thoughtful arrangement. Group plants by their mature size, placing taller calla lilies behind or among shorter companions for visual depth and layering. Experiment with color schemes, using complementary or contrasting hues for visual appeal. Planting calla lilies in groups of odd numbers, such as three, five, or seven, creates a more natural, impactful display than single plants.
Maintaining your combined garden requires consistent attention to ensure plants thrive. Consistent watering is important, especially during dry spells, to keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged; container plantings may require more frequent watering than in-ground beds. Fertilization should be balanced for all plants, avoiding high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote foliage growth at the expense of calla lily blooms. Monitor the garden for pests or diseases that could affect the grouping. Applying organic mulch helps suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and provides a slow release of nutrients.