How to Grow a Cally Lily From a Seed

Calla lilies grow up to 3 feet tall with various colored flowers, including pink, yellow and white. Although calla lilies are grown in the garden or containers from rhizomes, you can start the calla lily from a seed, which grows roots that form into a rhizome after the first year of growth. Before planting the calla lily seeds, you need to prepare the seeds and see which ones are viable.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Paper towel
• Misting bottle
• Potting soil
• 2-inch container
• Drainage tray
• 8- to 10-inch container

1. Dampen a piece of paper towel on a sturdy plate. Spread out the seeds on the paper towel. Place another dampened piece of paper towel on top of the seeds. Place the plate in a cool, dark place. Use a misting bottle to keep the paper towel damp, but not wet. After about two to three days, look at the seeds to see which seeds are showing signs of germination. Throw away the seeds that don’t show any signs of germination.
2. Fill a small 2-inch container with drainage holes on the side with potting soil. Place the container in a tray. Put one good seed in each container. Sprinkle some topsoil over the seed to cover. Pour water in the tray so the water soaks into the soil from the bottom. Keep the top of the soil moist by spraying it with a misting bottle.
3. Keep an eye on the plants as they start to sprout. Choose the strongest-looking sprouts to keep. If the sprout is leggy without bottom leaves, don’t use it. Once the seedlings are about 2 to 3 inches tall, plant the seedlings in a larger, more permanent container.
4. Wash the roots and rhizomes of the calla lily seedlings before planting in a larger container so no possible bacteria can enter the new container. Use potting soil and a container 8 to 10 inches in diameter to plant a container calla lily seedling. Water the plant thoroughly and keep the soil moist, but not soggy throughout the growing season.