Calla Lily 'Choco Queen' Zantedeschia 'Choco Queen'
ABOUT
The plant known as 'Choco Queen' is a striking variety displaying rich, deep shades. Its lush foliage is a glossy green, creating a vivid backdrop for the blooms. The flowers are the true showstoppers, distinguished by their unique funnel-like spathes that elegantly curve around the finger-like spadix at the center. These spathes boast a deep, chocolate-brown to maroon hue, a color not commonly seen in the floral world, which adds an element of luxury and sophistication to gardens or indoor settings. The spadix, contrastingly, typically has a paler tone that creates a subtle yet captivating contrast against the darker spathe. The plant also features strong, sturdy stems that rise gracefully above the foliage, carrying the blooms with an air of elegance that is eye-catching in mixed borders or as standalone features.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Araceae
Synonyms
Choco Queen Calla Lily, Chocolate Calla Lily
Common names
Zantedeschia 'Choco Queen'
ToxicityTo humans
Calla Lily, including the variety 'Choco Queen', contains calcium oxalate crystals. These are toxic to humans if any part of the plant is ingested. Symptoms of poisoning can include a burning sensation in the mouth or throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, difficulty swallowing, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea. In severe cases, difficulty breathing may occur due to swelling of the airways. Contact with skin may also cause irritation or a blistering rash in sensitive individuals.
To pets
Calla Lily, including the 'Choco Queen' variety, is toxic to pets due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. If a pet ingests any part of the plant, it can experience symptoms such as oral irritation, intense burning, and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to respiratory problems if swelling obstructs the airway.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Burgundy
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Zantedeschia 'Choco Queen', commonly known as Calla Lily, produces elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers that add aesthetic appeal to gardens and indoor spaces.
- Easy Maintenance: Calla Lilies are relatively easy to care for and do not require extensive gardening skills to thrive.
- Versatility in Landscaping: They can be used in various garden settings, including borders, containers, and as focal points.
- Diversity of Use: The flowers are popular in floral arrangements and bouquets, making them ideal for both gardeners and florists.
- Long Blooming Period: The plant has a generous blooming period that extends through late spring to early summer, providing long-lasting color.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Calla Lilies have moderate drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Compact Size: The plant can be ideal for smaller gardens or spaces where a compact, yet showy plant is desired.
- Attracts Wildlife: They can attract beneficial insects like butterflies, adding extra life to the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Prop: The Calla Lily 'Choco Queen' is often used by photographers for its striking dark blooms as a compelling subject for floral photography.
- Crafts: The sturdy stems and distinctive flowers can be used in floral crafts, such as making wreaths or other decorative items.
- Fabric Dyeing: The pigments from the 'Choco Queen' petals might be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering a unique range of colors.
- Art Inspiration: Artists may use the dramatic appearance of the 'Choco Queen' as inspiration or the actual subject for paintings and drawings.
- Floral Arrangement Classes: Due to its unique color, it can serve as a teaching tool in floristry courses, demonstrating how to incorporate unusual colors into arrangements.
- Culinary Decoration: Although not edible, the blooms can be used as non-toxic decorative elements on plates or serving trays for special events.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried petals of the 'Choco Queen' can be used as biodegradable confetti for celebrations, as an alternative to synthetic confetti.
- Ink Making: The natural pigments in the flowers may be used to make inks for calligraphy or art purposes.
- Scented Potpourri: The flowers, while not the most fragrant, can still be dried and included in potpourri mixes to add visual appeal.
- Bookmarks: Pressed 'Choco Queen' flowers can create beautiful and natural bookmarks, adding an artistic touch to reading.
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- Elegance: The Zantedeschia 'Choco Queen', commonly known as the Calla Lily, has a graceful appearance that is often associated with sophistication and beauty, making it a symbol of elegance.
- Rebirth: Calla Lilies are perennials, meaning they bloom again year after year, symbolizing renewal and rebirth.
- Purity: The sleek lines of the Calla Lily are traditionally linked to notions of purity and innocence, especially in the white varieties.
- Devotion: Owing to their long-lasting flowers, Calla Lilies are commonly used to represent feelings of deep devotion and loyalty.
- Faith: The flower's trumpet shape resembles a goblet, which in some cultures can signify faith or a holy grail.
- Overcoming challenges: With its sturdy stem that holds the flower upright, the Calla Lily can be a symbol of triumph over hardships and difficulties.
- Admiration: The unique and enchanting beauty of Calla Lilies makes them a symbol of admiration and attraction.
- Femininity: The soft curves of the Calla Lily are often associated with femininity and the beauty of womanhood.
WaterThe Calla Lily, which is the common name for Zantedeschia 'Choco Queen', should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This typically means watering once every week, but frequency may increase to twice a week in hotter seasons. Apply about one gallon of water slowly to the base of the plant, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the dormant period in winter, reduce watering to every other week or less, just enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out.
LightCalla Lily thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. An ideal spot for this plant is a location where it can receive some morning sunlight but is shaded from the intense afternoon sun. A north or east-facing window would provide the perfect lighting conditions.
TemperatureCalla Lily prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season. The plant can survive a minimum temperature of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be exposed to temperatures below this as it can cause damage. A consistent and stable temperature within this range is ideal for optimal growth.
PruningPruning the Calla Lily should be done to remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves to encourage new growth and maintain the plant's appearance. This can be done as needed throughout the growing season. The best time to prune heavily, such as cutting back dead foliage, is in the fall after the plant has finished blooming and is entering dormancy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Calla Lily 'Choco Queen' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. A mix of two parts peat moss, one part perlite, and one part potting soil rich in organic matter works well for this plant, providing the necessary nutrients and moisture retention for optimal growth.
RepottingCalla Lily 'Choco Queen' should be repotted every two years or when it becomes root-bound. They require fresh soil to ensure continued health and growth. It's best to repot in the spring before the growing season begins.
Humidity & MistingCalla Lily 'Choco Queen' prefers high humidity levels, around 60-70%. To maintain this, you may need to use a humidifier or place a tray with water and pebbles beneath the pot, ensuring the pot is not sitting directly in the water.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, enrich soil, and ensure good drainage.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life of a 'Choco Queen' Calla Lily begins with the planting of a rhizome, a type of bulb, in moist, well-draining soil with part to full sunlight exposure. Upon emerging in spring, the rhizome sprouts into a lush, leafy plant, and its unique pointed, arrow-shaped leaves unfurl. As the plant matures, typically from late spring to early summer, it produces striking, funnel-shaped flowers that are often chocolate-brown with a creamy yellow spike in its center, known as a spadix, surrounded by a spathe. After flowering, the plant enters a period of dormancy, especially in cooler climates, where the foliage dies back and the plant survives underground as a rhizome. During its dormancy, the plant requires less moisture and prepares to survive through adverse conditions, until favorable growth conditions return. The cycle repeats itself when temperatures warm again, and the rhizome re-sprouts, continuing the perennial cycle of the Calla Lily.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Zantedeschia 'Choco Queen', commonly known as 'Chocolate Calla Lily', is most commonly propagated by division, which ideally should be done when the plant is dormant, typically in late autumn or early spring. The division process involves unearthing the rhizome, which is the underground stem of the plant, and gently separating it into smaller sections, ensuring that each piece has at least one growing point or eye. These sections can then be replanted into pots with well-draining soil, buried about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm) deep. The pots should be kept in a warm location with indirect light until new growth appears. Once the plants are established and the risk of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors to their final location. It's important to maintain consistent moisture without overwatering during the early stages of growth.
