Calla Lily 'Green Goddess' Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess'
ABOUT
The 'Green Goddess' is a striking plant with large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves that add a lush, tropical feel to any space. The leaves are deep green and sometimes feature lighter spots or streaks, each emanating from a thick, fleshy stem that provides a strong foundation for the broad foliage. The most distinctive feature of the 'Green Goddess' is its elegant blooms. Each flower is not a true flower but rather a modified leaf called a spathe, which wraps around a finger-like spadix. The spathes are a creamy white color, blending into a vivid green at the edges, giving the appearance of being dipped in green paint. This transition from white to green is smooth and adds to the visual interest of the plant. The interior of the spathe reveals a pale yellow spadix that softly contrasts with the white and green of the spathe. As the plant matures, it can produce multiple blooms, creating a showy display that is visually stunning and can add a sophisticated touch to gardens or indoor spaces. The 'Green Goddess' is a variant of the calla lily, with a robust and lush appearance that makes it popular for its ornamental value.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Araceae
Synonyms
Green Goddess Calla Lily, Green Goddess Arum Lily, Green Goddess Calla.
Common names
Richardia africana Kunth, Richardia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Colocasia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Calla aethiopica L.
ToxicityTo humans
The common name of Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess' is calla lily. Calla lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to humans if ingested. When any part of the plant is chewed or swallowed, the crystals can cause immediate pain and irritation to the mouth and throat. Symptoms of poisoning may include intense burning, swelling of the mouth, throat, and lips, difficulty swallowing, and in severe cases, vomiting and diarrhea. If the eyes are touched after handling the plant without washing hands, it can also cause eye irritation.
To pets
The calla lily is toxic to pets, including cats and dogs, due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. When a pet chews or ingests any part of the plant, these crystals can cause oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to symptoms such as swelling of the airways, causing difficulty breathing, which can be life-threatening and require immediate veterinary attention.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The 'Green Goddess' adds a unique visual interest to gardens with its large, white and green spathe and lush foliage.
- Ease of Care: It is a relatively low-maintenance plant that can thrive with minimal attention, given the right environmental conditions.
- Durability: The plant is known for its hardiness and can tolerate a variety of soil types, though it prefers moist, well-drained conditions.
- Versatility in Landscaping: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, pond margins, and as a focal point in floral arrangements.
- Attracts Wildlife: It can attract pollinators such as bees, which are essential for the health of any garden ecosystem.
- Long Blooming Period: The 'Green Goddess' has a long flowering season, often from late spring throughout the summer.
- Seasonal Interest: Even when not in bloom, the plant offers year-round interest with its evergreen leaves in climates mild enough to support it through winter.
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: 'Green Goddess' is often used by photographers as a prop due to its elegant appearance, adding a touch of sophistication to portraits and still life photography.
- Education: This plant is used in botanical education to help students learn about unique flower structures and pollination mechanisms.
- Religious Ceremonies: In some cultures, 'Green Goddess' can be used as a symbol of purity and innocence in various religious ceremonies, such as baptisms and weddings.
- Fashion Inspiration: The striking look of 'Green Goddess' has inspired fashion designers in creating clothing patterns and accessories that mimic its form and color.
- Art Subjects: Due to their unique aesthetic, 'Green Goddess' plants are often used as subjects in painting, drawing, and other forms of visual art.
- Theme Gardens: Gardeners may use 'Green Goddess' to create a theme garden, such as a white garden, where it contributes its lush, green-and-white foliage and flowers.
- Floral Language: In the language of flowers, 'Green Goddess' can be used to convey a message of appreciation and admiration when given as a gift.
- Culinary Garnish: While not edible, the striking appearance of 'Green Goddess' can be used as a temporary decorative garnish for plating high-end culinary dishes in food competitions or photo shoots.
- Performance Art: 'Green Goddess' can be incorporated into performance art pieces, where they might symbolize various themes or simply add to the visual appeal of a set.
- Environmental Studies: It can be planted in controlled environments for study on the impact of plant life on local ecosystems and to attract specific wildlife, such as certain insects for pollination studies.
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- Rebirth and Resurrection: The shape of the 'Green Goddess' calla lily resembles a trumpet, often associated with victory and the start of new beginnings. This symbolism comes from its ability to go dormant and then re-emerge strong and beautiful every year.
- Purity and Innocence: Commonly found in white, the 'Green Goddess' calla lily’s color exemplifies purity and innocence, which makes it a popular choice for weddings and religious ceremonies.
- Majesty and Beauty: The 'Green Goddess' has a regal look, with its large and glossy leaves, and it’s often associated with majestic beauty, which gives a noble feel to any garden or floral arrangement.
- Femininity and Grace: The smooth lines and graceful contours of the flower are often likened to the female form, embodying characteristics of femininity and grace.
- Transcendent Love: Both because of its association with weddings and its perennial nature, the 'Green Goddess' is symbolic of enduring and true love that goes beyond the physical realm.
- Divine Focus: In some religious contexts, the flower's spadix (the spike in the center) has been thought to symbolize a focus toward God or the divine, pointing upright towards the heavens.
Water'Green Goddess' Calla Lilies prefer consistent moisture and should be watered once the top inch of soil begins to dry out. This typically translates to watering once every week, although this frequency could increase during hot, dry periods or if the plant is in a particularly sunny location. Ensure you're providing enough water to saturate the soil around the plant without causing standing water, which could amount to about half a gallon for outdoor plants and less for those in containers. Monitor the plant's response to watering and adjust your schedule accordingly to maintain a happy balance for your 'Green Goddess'.
LightThe 'Green Goddess' Calla Lily thrives best in partial shade to full sun. They should be positioned in a spot where they can receive ample bright, indirect sunlight for most of the day, while still being protected from the harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch their leaves. Morning sun followed by afternoon shade is an ideal condition for these plants to ensure they perform their best.
Temperature'Green Goddess' Calla Lilies favor moderate climates and are comfortable in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive temporarily in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit but should not be exposed to frost conditions. To encourage flowering and vigorous growth, maintain the temperature within their preferred range and protect them from sudden temperature drops and gusty winds.
PruningPruning 'Green Goddess' Calla Lilies is mostly done to remove spent flowers or yellowed leaves, which promotes healthy growth and can encourage more blooms. It's best to prune the plant after flowering by cutting the dead stems at the base. Typically, a thorough pruning is done annually, during late fall or early winter, when the plant begins to die back naturally. Always use clean, sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts without damaging the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Calla Lily 'Green Goddess' requires a moist, well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter. A blend of peat, perlite, and compost works well for this plant. The ideal soil pH for Calla Lily 'Green Goddess' is slightly acidic to neutral, around 5.5 to 6.5.
RepottingCalla Lily 'Green Goddess' should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and accommodate the growing rhizome. Early spring, just before the growing season, is the best time for repotting.
Humidity & MistingCalla Lily 'Green Goddess' thrives in high humidity conditions, preferably between 60% to 70%. To maintain these levels, a humidifier, pebble tray, or regular misting can be beneficial for the plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
For Calla Lily 'Green Goddess,' provide bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Place Calla Lily 'Green Goddess' in partial shade and maintain consistent moisture.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess', commonly known as the Calla Lily 'Green Goddess', begins with seed germination, which occurs when environmental conditions are warm and moist. Following germination, seedlings emerge and develop into juvenile plants with characteristic arrow-shaped leaves and a rudimentary rhizomatous root system. As the plant matures, it enters the vegetative stage, during which it develops a more extensive root system and foliage, preparing for flowering. The reproductive stage is marked by the plant producing its distinctive large spathes, which are often mistaken for flowers, while the actual flowers are the tiny blooms on the spadix inside the spathe. After pollination and fertilization, the plant produces berries containing seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. During the dormant stage, especially in cooler climates, the foliage dies back, and the plant conserves energy in the rhizome to survive until the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
The Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess', more commonly known as the Calla Lily 'Green Goddess', is best propagated through division of its rhizomes. This is typically carried out in the late winter or early spring just before the new growth starts. To propagate by division, carefully remove the plant from its pot or the ground and shake off excess soil. You will see clumps of rhizomes, which are underground stems, often with multiple growing points. Using a clean, sharp knife, divide the rhizomes into sections, ensuring each piece has at least one growing point. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were previously growing, with the growing points just below the soil surface. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them. This method is favored for its simplicity and effectiveness, allowing gardeners to create new plants that are true to the parent's form and characteristics.
