Calla lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Also called Arum lily and Zantedeschia
Houseplant · AroidsIT IS NOT A LILY and it is not safe because it is pretty — every part burns the mouth. Also: it wants a wet summer and a DRY winter rest, which is the opposite of most pot plants.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 4 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Bright indirect to full sun
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Average to high
- Hardiness
- Half-hardy — a light frost RHS H3, to -5°C
- Size
- 0.9 m tall · 0.6 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- Southern Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
All parts — the sap carries needle-sharp calcium oxalate crystals.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category C — harmful if eaten, and a skin and eye irritant.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-04.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.