Calla Lily 'Red Alert' Zantedeschia 'Red Alert' (PBR)
ABOUT
The Zantedeschia 'Red Alert', commonly known as the Calla Lily 'Red Alert', features a striking appearance. This plant is known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that boast a rich, red hue, drawing the eye with their bold color. The flowers gracefully curl to form an elegant flute-like shape, with a yellow spadix at the center contributing a contrasting tone to the red petals. This central spadix is where the actual tiny flowers are clustered. The lush foliage of the Calla Lily 'Red Alert' forms a glossy backdrop to the radiant flowers. Its leaves are arrow-shaped, showcasing a deep green color with a glossy finish that can sometimes exhibit spotted or speckled patterns. Overall, the Calla Lily 'Red Alert' is appreciated for its vivid floral display, which provides a splash of color to gardens and indoor spaces alike. Its distinctive flower shape and color are key characteristics that make it a beloved ornamental plant.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Araceae
Synonyms
Calla Lily, Arum Lily
Common names
Zantedeschia 'Red Alert' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Calla Lily, which includes Zantedeschia 'Red Alert', is toxic to humans. If ingested, the Calla Lily can cause symptoms such as oral irritation, burning, swelling of lips, tongue, and throat, difficulty swallowing, and possible vomiting. Contact with the sap may also cause skin irritation.
To pets
Calla Lily, which includes Zantedeschia 'Red Alert', is also toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Symptoms of poisoning from ingesting any part of the plant may include oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and a decrease in appetite. In severe cases, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance may occur, so it is important to seek veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested part of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: The Zantedeschia 'Red Alert', commonly known as the Calla Lily, produces striking red flowers that add a splash of color to any garden setting.
- Easy to Grow: This variety of calla lily is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it suitable for both experienced and novice gardeners.
- Long Blooming Period: The plant enjoys a long flowering period, typically from late spring into summer, providing extended visual interest.
- Versatile Planting Options: Calla lilies can be planted in beds, borders, and containers, offering flexibility in garden design.
- Attracts Pollinators: The vibrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollination of plants in 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- The Calla Lily 'Red Alert' can be used as a dye plant for natural fabric coloration, with its pigmented spathe potentially providing a source of red hues.
- As a photography subject, due to its unique red coloring, it's often used by photographers looking for striking, vibrant plant material for fine art photography.
- Calla Lilies can be used in floral watercolor painting classes as live models due to their elegant form and striking color that inspire artists.
- In culinary settings, though not edible, the Calla Lily 'Red Alert' can be used as an organic decoration to embellish cake designs or table settings in luxury events.
- This plant might be utilized in fashion design as an inspiration for patterns and prints due to its distinctive red color and shape.
- In educational settings, the 'Red Alert' can be used as a subject for botanical studies focusing on hybrid plant varieties and genetic modification.
- The spathe and spadix structure can inspire biomimicry in fields such as architecture and product design, influencing forms and structures in innovative ways.
- Calla Lily 'Red Alert' may be included in psychological color studies, given its intense red shade, to understand the impact of color on human emotion.
- It can be used in crafting, specifically in making realistic sugar flowers for cake decoration, due to its simple yet iconic structure.
- In eco-friendly burial practices, biodegradable urns sometimes incorporate Calla Lily seedlings like 'Red Alert' for symbolic rebirth in memorial plantings.
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- Passion: The vibrant red color of the 'Red Alert' Calla Lily is often associated with intense emotion and deep passion, making it a popular choice for romantic occasions.
- Beauty: Calla Lilies, with their smooth contours and grace, symbolize exceptional beauty, and the 'Red Alert' variety, with its striking hue, enhances this symbolism.
- Purity: Despite its bold color, Calla Lilies traditionally represent purity and innocence which can be attributed to the flower's elegant form and historical association with weddings.
- Resurrection: The Calla Lily's association with the Christian Easter season lends it the symbolism of resurrection and new beginnings, reflecting its ability to bloom anew each season.
- Admiration: Gifting 'Red Alert' Calla Lilies can be a gesture of admiration, as the flower's stately appearance and captivating color suggest a sense of admiration and respect.
- Overcoming Challenges: The 'Red Alert' Calla Lily's ability to thrive in various conditions is often seen as a symbol of triumph over difficulties or challenges.
WaterThe Calla Lily 'Red Alert' should be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. In general, this might mean watering once a week, but frequency can vary based on temperature and humidity. Use room temperature water, and gently pour it around the base of the plant until you see excess water escaping through the drainage holes. For potted plants, this may equate to about 16-32 ounces of water for a 6-8 inch pot, adjusted based on the pot size and environmental conditions. Avoid over-watering to prevent rot.
LightCalla Lily 'Red Alert' thrives best in bright, indirect sunlight. Place the plant in a spot where it can receive plenty of light but is shielded from direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves. An east or west-facing window with filtered light is ideal for this plant.
TemperatureCalla Lily 'Red Alert' prefers temperatures between 60 to 75°F for optimal growth. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 50°F, but should not be exposed to temperatures below 45°F as this can damage the plant. Avoid placing it in drafty areas or near sources of extreme heat.
PruningPrune your Calla Lily 'Red Alert' to remove any yellowing or dead leaves, and to cut back spent flower stalks to encourage new growth. Pruning is typically done after the blooming period, which is usually in late summer or fall. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears for clean cuts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor the Calla Lily 'Red Alert', a soil mix that is rich in organic matter with good drainage is ideal. Use a blend of peat, perlite, and compost. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. This ensures optimal nutrient uptake and plant health.
RepottingThe Calla Lily 'Red Alert' should be repotted every two to three years or when it outgrows its current container. To encourage vibrant growth and flowering, repot in spring before the growing season.
Humidity & MistingThe Calla Lily 'Red Alert' prefers high humidity levels, ideally between 60-70%. Regular misting or a humidity tray can help maintain these conditions indoors to mimic its native environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Calla Lily 'Red Alert' in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, moist soil, and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleZantedeschia 'Red Alert', commonly known as calla lily, begins its life as a rhizome, which is a type of underground stem that stores energy for the plant's growth. In spring, the rhizome gives rise to shoots that grow into strong stems and large, lush leaves. The plant then produces its striking red spathes, which are often mistaken for flowers but are actually leaf-like bracts that surround the true flowers—small, yellowish spikes called spadices. After pollination, which is often aided by insects attracted to the spathe's vibrant color and the spadix's fragrance, the plant forms seeds which can be dispersed to generate new plants. As the growing season ends, the calla lily enters a period of dormancy, with the aerial parts dying back and the rhizome remaining dormant underground through the winter. With the return of warmer temperatures in the next growth cycle, the rhizome once again sprouts, continuing the life cycle of the plant.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Zantedeschia 'Red Alert', commonly known as the Red Alert Calla Lily, is typically propagated by division of its rhizomes. The best time to propagate these plants is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. To propagate by division, carefully lift the rhizome clump from the soil and gently separate it into smaller sections, ensuring that each division has at least one growth eye or bud. These divisions can then be replanted into well-draining soil at a depth of about 3 inches (approximately 7.6 centimeters), spaced at least 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water the newly planted divisions generously to help establish roots, being cautious not to overwater as this can lead to rot.
