Calla Lily 'Captain Nuria' Zantedeschia 'Captain Nuria' (PBR) (Captain Series)
ABOUT
Captain Nuria is a captivating cultivar distinguished by its elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers that are creamy-white with a blush-pink base, creating a two-tone effect that's both sophisticated and eye-catching. The spadix, a finger-like spike, rises from the flower's center, adding to its exotic charm. The blooms are carried on strong, upright stems that elegantly rise above the plant's foliage. The leaves of Captain Nuria are lush and arrow-shaped, with wavy edges that contribute to the plant's overall lush appearance, creating a striking contrast against the delicate blossoms. These glossy, green leaves often have speckles or blotches of white, which can vary from leaf to leaf, giving each one a unique pattern. The plant gives off an air of luxury and can make a statement in any setting where its beautiful blooms are prominently displayed. Captain Nuria, part of the Captain Series, is a plant that brings an aesthetic appeal with its distinctive flowers and decorative foliage, making it a popular choice for an ornate touch in gardens and floral arrangements alike.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Araceae
Synonyms
Calla Lily, Arum Lily, Captain Nuria Calla Lily
Common names
Zantedeschia 'Captain Nuria' (PBR) (Captain Series)
ToxicityTo humans
Calla lily is potentially toxic to humans if ingested. This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. If eaten, it can lead to symptoms such as burning or swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat, as well as difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, the reaction may lead to gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant may also cause skin irritation in some individuals. It is important to keep calla lilies out of the reach of children who may be tempted to eat parts of the plant.
To pets
Calla lily is toxic to pets if ingested. Similar to its effects in humans, the calcium oxalate crystals within the plant can irritate a pet's mouth, leading to symptoms such as excessive drooling, pawing at the face due to irritation, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. If a pet consumes part of the calla lily plant, it may suffer from oral irritation, potential swelling of the mouth and throat, and gastrointestinal upset. It is important to prevent pets from accessing the plant to avoid accidental ingestion.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Zantedeschia 'Captain Nuria' is known for its beautiful spathes, which are often mistaken for petals, offering aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Easy to Grow: It is a low-maintenance plant ideal for beginners or those who prefer plants that do not require much care.
- Long Blooming Period: The calla lily enjoys a long flowering period, providing splashes of color throughout the growing season.
- Versatile Planting: Suitable for planting in flower beds, borders, and containers, allowing for versatility in garden design and landscaping.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, these plants can tolerate periods of drought, making them suitable for xeriscaping or gardens in arid regions.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: The plant is not typically favored by deer or rabbits, which aids in preventing damage from wildlife in the garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: Calla lilies can attract beneficial insects such as bees, which are important for pollination of many plants.
- Cut Flower Usage: The blooms are excellent for use in floral arrangements, making them valuable for both professional florists and home gardeners.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Zantedeschia 'Captain Nuria' can be used as a natural dye, with the pigments extracted from the petals to color fabrics and textiles.
- The calla lily's strong, flexible stems may be used in basket-weaving or as a natural material for crafting small items like wreaths.
- Due to their shape and sturdiness, the leaves of the calla lily can serve as natural funnels or scoops in outdoor settings.
- When dried and pressed, calla lily flowers are used in botanical artwork and to beautify handmade papers or bookmarks, preserving their form and color.
- The unique shape of the spadix, the flower's central spike, could inspire designs and patterns in jewelery making.
- Calla lilies can be featured in photography projects due to their elegant form, serving as a subject for high-speed water drop photography.
- The rich colors of Zantedeschia 'Captain Nuria' can be a source of pigment for natural inks used in traditional pen and ink drawings.
- These flowers can be used in eco-printing, a technique where plants leave their prints on fabric or paper, due to their distinct shape and pigmentation.
- Their spathes (the outer part of the flower that resembles a petal) can be used to create molds or casts for artworks and sculptures.
- In educational settings, calla lilies can serve as a model to teach botanical characteristics and flower anatomy, especially their distinctive inflorescence.
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- Purity: Zantedeschia 'Captain Nuria', commonly known as Calla Lily, often symbolizes purity due to its sleek, white bloom that looks immaculate and untouched.
- Beauty: The elegant form and graceful lines of the Calla Lily have long been associated with beauty, making it a popular choice in art and fashion.
- Rebirth: As the Calla Lily is a perennial plant that regrows every spring, it is often connected to themes of rebirth and renewal.
- Faith: In Christian symbolism, the Calla Lily is associated with faith and purity, often depicted in religious art involving the Virgin Mary.
- Transcendence: Its ability to rise above the water in which it sometimes grows lends the Calla Lily to represent transcendence and spiritual enlightenment.
- Eternal Life: The Calla Lily's association with Easter and the resurrection of Christ has connected it to themes of eternal life in Christian tradition.
- Marriage: Due to its beauty and form that integrates both femininity and masculinity, the Calla Lily is a common choice in wedding bouquets and arrangements, symbolizing the union of a couple.
- Overcoming Challenges: The Calla Lily emerges from a bulb under the ground and blooms into a beautiful flower, symbolizing the overcoming of challenges or adversity.
WaterCalla Lily 'Captain Nuria' prefers to be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water them deeply once a week with approximately one gallon of water per plant, adjusting for rainfall and natural humidity. During active growth in the spring and summer, they may require more frequent watering, ensuring the top layer of soil does not dry out. In the dormant winter period, reduce watering significantly to prevent rot, providing just enough to keep the soil from completely drying out, which might be as little as half a gallon every couple of weeks, depending on the environment.
LightCalla Lily 'Captain Nuria' thrives best in partial shade to full sun. They perform optimally when they receive morning sunlight and are protected from the intense heat of the afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates. An east-facing or west-facing garden that provides several hours of sunlight with some afternoon shade is ideal for these plants.
TemperatureCalla Lily 'Captain Nuria' enjoys moderate temperatures and should be kept within a range of 50°F to 75°F for optimal growth. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 45°F but should not be exposed to frost or freezing conditions. The ideal temperature range for these plants is between 60°F and 70°F.
PruningPruning Calla Lily 'Captain Nuria' is primarily focused on removing spent blossoms and yellowing leaves to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy appearance. Prune away dead or damaged foliage any time of the year, and after flowering, trim off the flower stalks close to the base. The best time for a more thorough pruning and shaping of the plant is in late autumn or early winter, when the plant is entering dormancy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCalla Lily 'Captain Nuria' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A mix of two-thirds loam or potting soil with one-third peat moss and a handful of perlite or sand to improve drainage makes an ideal soil composition.
RepottingCalla Lily 'Captain Nuria' should be repotted every one to two years, best done in spring, to refresh the soil and to accommodate root growth as the plant matures.
Humidity & MistingCalla Lily 'Captain Nuria' prefers a high humidity environment, around 60-70%, to mimic its natural habitat, but it can tolerate lower humidity levels if necessary.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light, and keep moist in well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade; keep soil moist and well-drained.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleZantedeschia 'Captain Nuria' (Calla Lily) begins its life cycle as a rhizome, a type of underground stem that stores energy. After planting, the rhizome will sprout and produce glossy, arrow-shaped leaves, followed by the distinctive flowers that this cultivar is known for, typically in spring or early summer. The flowers, which are actually spathes surrounding a central spadix, last for several weeks before wilting. Following flowering, the plant will enter a period of growth where it stores energy in the rhizome for the next cycle. As temperatures cool, the Calla Lily will die back and enter a dormancy period, conserving its energy in the rhizome throughout the winter. With the return of warmer temperatures and proper care, the cycle begins anew, with the rhizome generating new growth for the next flowering season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Zantedeschia 'Captain Nuria' (PBR) or more commonly known as calla lily, is typically propagated through division which is most effectively done in the late winter or early spring just as the plant comes out of dormancy. To propagate, carefully lift the tuberous rhizomes from the soil and gently clean off any excess dirt. Using a sharp and sterile knife, divide the rhizome, ensuring that each section has at least one growth point or “eye.” Replant the divisions at a depth of 3 to 4 inches with the growth points facing up in well-draining soil. This act of dividing helps to rejuvenate older plants and create new plants, which can enhance the vigor and flowering potential of calla lilies in your garden.
