Calla Lily Zantedeschia 'Bingo'
ABOUT
The Zantedeschia 'Bingo', commonly known as the Calla Lily 'Bingo', is an ornamental plant known for its striking flowers and lush foliage. The plant features a distinctive flower shape, often referred to as spathes, that elegantly curl to form a funnel-like structure. These spathes are typically an eye-catching hue, though the exact color might vary, and they enclose a central, finger-like spadix within. Complementing the exotic beauty of its blooms, the foliage of the Calla Lily 'Bingo' consists of broad, arrow-shaped leaves. These leaves are a deep green color and often speckled with white or lighter green spots, offering a lovely contrast to the vivid blossoms. The overall appearance of this plant is one of elegance and sophistication, making it a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements alike.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Calla Lily, Arum Lily
Common names
Zantedeschia 'Bingo'.
ToxicityTo humans
Calla lily contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to humans. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to symptoms such as a burning sensation in the mouth or throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, difficulty swallowing, and possible vomiting and diarrhea. In extreme cases, it could lead to difficulty breathing or speaking due to the throat swelling. Contact with the sap may also cause skin irritation.
To pets
Calla lily is toxic to pets as well due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. If a pet ingests any part of the plant, they may exhibit symptoms like drooling, pawing at the mouth, oral pain, decreased appetite, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can cause difficulty breathing or swallowing. It's important to seek veterinary attention if a pet has ingested calla lily.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2 feet [60 cm]
Spread
1 foot [30 cm]
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Decorative Appeal: Zantedeschia 'Bingo', commonly known as Calla Lily, has elegant and showy flowers that enhance the aesthetics of any garden or interior space.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is relatively easy to cultivate and maintain, making it suitable for gardeners of all levels of experience.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Calla Lilies can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, beds, and as cut flowers for vases and floral arrangements.
- Attracts Pollinators: The bright and large flowers of the Calla Lily can attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden.
- Long Blooming Period: The plant offers a long flowering season, providing color and interest throughout the warmer months.
- Range of Colors: Zantedeschia 'Bingo' comes in a variety of colors, offering options to complement different design palettes and preferences.
- Compact Size: With its relatively small size, it is suitable for planting in pots or in small gardens where space is limited.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Zantedeschia 'Bingo', commonly known as Calla Lily, is often utilized in fashion for its distinctive shape and elegance, inspiring patterns and designs in clothing and accessories.
- Due to its elegant appearance, the Calla Lily is sometimes used in artistic tattoos, symbolizing beauty or the remembrance of a loved one.
- In craft projects, the sturdy stem and blooms of the Calla Lily are sometimes incorporated into handmade paper, giving the paper a unique floral texture and appearance.
- Calla Lilies are used in perfumery, where the subtle, fresh floral scent of the flowers can be captured and used in fine fragrances.
- In culinary applications, some cultures dip the blooms of Calla Lily in batter and fry them, while being cautious about their potential toxicity if not prepared correctly.
- The Calla Lily is used during Easter celebrations, where they're often associated with resurrection and purity and used as decorations in churches and homes.
- Calla Lilies can be used as natural dyes, where the flowers, depending on their color, contribute to dying fabrics with delicate hues.
- With its sophisticated form, Calla Lily is a popular choice for home décor and painting subjects, where it adds an element of modern simplicity and elegance to a space.
- In photography, the Calla Lily is frequently used as a subject for its interesting lines and form, making it a favorite for still life compositions.
- The flower is often used as a teaching tool in botanical studies due to its unique structure that exemplifies the inflorescence and spadix typical of the Araceae family.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Calla Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Calla Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: The Calla Lily is renowned for its elegant and beautiful blooms, which are often used in wedding bouquets and arrangements.
- Purity and Innocence: With its white variety being especially prominent, the Calla Lily is commonly associated with purity, making it a symbol of innocence and heavenly attributes.
- Marital Bliss: Given their association with weddings, Calla Lilies are emblematic of marital happiness and long-lasting fidelity between partners.
- Rebirth and Resurrection: Its trumpet-shaped blossoms can signify rebirth and the resurrection, a common theme during Easter celebrations and a symbol of new beginnings.
- Overcoming Challenges: Calla Lilies bloom in an array of hostile environments, symbolizing the human ability to triumph over adversity.
WaterCalla lilies, such as Zantedeschia 'Bingo', typically require consistent moisture and should not be allowed to dry out completely, especially during their growing season. As a general rule, water your calla lily with about one gallon of water once a week, ensuring the soil is thoroughly moistened. However, during the hotter summer months or if the plant is situated in a particularly dry environment, you may need to water more frequently, perhaps every 3-4 days. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant. Always allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly before watering again to prevent overwatering and root rot.
LightCalla lilies like Zantedeschia 'Bingo' thrive best in partial shade to full sunlight. The ideal spot is where the plant can receive bright, indirect light for most of the day. An east- or west-facing window would provide the right amount of light indoors. If grown outdoors, provide some shade during the peak afternoon sun to prevent scorching the leaves.
TemperatureCalla lilies, including Zantedeschia 'Bingo', prefer temperatures in the range of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. They can survive minimum temperatures as low as just above freezing, around 35 degrees Fahrenheit, but should be protected from frost. During their growing season, maintaining a consistent temperature within their preferred range is important for the health of the plant.
PruningCalla lilies like Zantedeschia 'Bingo' benefit from pruning to remove spent flowers and yellow or damaged leaves, which encourages new growth and keeps the plant looking tidy. Prune dead foliage throughout the year as needed. After the blooming season and before dormancy, cut back the foliage to the ground to help the plant conserve energy for the next growing season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Calla Lily 'Bingo' is well-draining with high organic matter, such as a mix of peat, perlite, and compost. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, around 5.5 to 6.5.
RepottingCalla Lily 'Bingo' should be repotted every two to three years or when it becomes pot-bound. Repot in spring before the growing season begins.
Humidity & MistingCalla Lily 'Bingo' thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 60% to 70%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Calla Lily 'Bingo' in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant Calla Lily 'Bingo' in partial shade outdoors.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleThe Zantedeschia 'Bingo', commonly known as the Calla Lily 'Bingo', begins its life cycle when the rhizomes are planted in soil with proper drainage and plenty of organic matter. The plant then enters a growth phase where it develops broad, arrow-shaped, dark green leaves and a flower stalk that unfurls to reveal the iconic funnel-shaped flower with a spadix at its center. After flowering, which can occur in late spring to early summer, the plant enters a period of pollination, possibly involving insects transferring pollen from the male to female parts of the spadix. Seeds may develop if pollination is successful; otherwise, the plant can propagate through division of its rhizomes. Following the blooming period, the Calla Lily 'Bingo' enters a dormancy stage where the above-ground foliage dies back, and the plant rests until the next growing season. Finally, with the arrival of warmer temperatures, the Calla Lily 'Bingo' re-emerges from dormancy, completing its cycle and beginning anew with fresh growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Zantedeschia 'Bingo', commonly known as the Calla Lily, can be propagated through division of its rhizomes, which is the most popular method. The best time to divide the rhizomes is during the plant's dormancy period after the foliage has died back, generally in late autumn or early spring. To propagate, gardeners should carefully dig up the rhizomes, shaking off any excess soil and then using a sharp knife to divide them, ensuring each piece has at least one bud. These divided rhizomes can then be replanted in well-draining soil at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters) and spaced approximately 12 inches (30 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. In the right conditions, these new divisions will grow and multiply, producing new Calla Lily plants.
