How to Grow Arum Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Arum lilies produce stunning pure white spathe flowers above glossy arrow-shaped foliage from late spring to midsummer. They thrive in moist to wet soil and are perfect for pond margins, bog gardens, and damp borders. Plant rhizomes 45cm apart in rich, moisture-retentive soil in sun or partial shade. Semi-evergreen in mild areas but needs winter protection in cold gardens — mulch thickly or lift rhizomes. Feed regularly during the growing season for the largest flowers. All parts are toxic if ingested.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks during the growing season from spring to midsummer. Rich feeding promotes larger spathes.
Watch For
- Aphids on young growth and flower stems
- Bacterial soft rot in waterlogged conditions
- Fungal leaf spot in humid weather
Companions
Hostas, Ligularia, Astilbe, Iris sibirica
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Sun or partial shade
Grows well in full sun or partial shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch. Flowers best with good light.
Watering
Keep consistently moist to wet
Naturally a waterside plant. Thrives in consistently moist or even boggy soil. Can grow in shallow standing water up to 30 cm deep. Never let dry out during the growing season.
Fertilizing
Fortnightly liquid feed, spring to midsummer
Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser from spring to midsummer. Rich feeding produces larger and more numerous spathes.
Pruning
Remove spent spathes at the base
Cut spent flower stems at the base once spathes fade. In late autumn, cut back yellowed foliage to ground level, or leave semi-evergreen foliage in mild areas.
Growing Tips
Moisture is key
Arum lilies are naturally waterside plants. They perform best in consistently moist or even boggy soil. They can grow in shallow standing water up to 30cm deep.
Protect from hard frost
Hardy in mild and coastal gardens but vulnerable inland. A thick autumn mulch of straw over the crown is usually sufficient. In very cold areas, grow in pots and move under cover for winter.
Feed for bigger spathes
Unlike many perennials, arum lilies respond well to rich feeding. A fortnightly liquid feed during the growing season produces noticeably larger and more numerous flowers.
All parts are toxic
Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe irritation if ingested. Wear gloves when handling and keep away from children and pets.
