Can Calla Lilies Be Grown In Water

Calla lilies can be grown in water, but it’s not quite the same as growing them in soil.
 
When you grow calla lilies in water, you’re essentially keeping the rhizomes (the bulb-like roots) submerged in a shallow water environment rather than planting them in the ground.
 
This method, sometimes called hydroponic growing, works beautifully if you set things up correctly and understand what these plants need.
 
If you’ve been wondering whether calla lilies can live in water long-term or just for a short while, the answer depends on your approach.
 
You can absolutely grow calla lilies in water as a decorative centerpiece, and you can also force them to bloom indoors with just water and pebbles.
 
In this post, we’ll dive into how to grow calla lilies in water, the best ways to keep them thriving, and the common mistakes that cause them to fail.
 
Let’s get your calla lilies happily floating.
 

Why Calla Lilies Can Be Grown In Water

Calla lilies can be grown in water because they’re naturally adapted to marshy, wet conditions.
 
In the wild, these beauties often grow along pond edges and in soggy soil that stays moist most of the year.
 
That natural tolerance for moisture makes them surprisingly good candidates for water-based growing.
 
But there’s a big difference between short-term water growing (like forcing blooms in a vase) and long-term hydroponic culture.
 
Here’s what you need to know about growing calla lilies in water successfully.
 

1. The Rhizome’s Natural Love for Moisture

Calla lily rhizomes are built to handle standing water better than most bulbs.
 
When you plant calla lilies in water, the rhizomes can absorb moisture directly without rotting as quickly as other plants might.
 
This is why you’ll often see calla lilies growing happily in water gardens or containers with no drainage holes.
 
That said, the water must be shallow and fresh, not deep and stagnant.
 
So yes, calla lilies can be grown in water as long as you keep the water level just below the top of the rhizome.
 

2. No Soil Means No Soil-Borne Diseases

One major benefit of growing calla lilies in water is that you skip all the pests and diseases that live in soil.
 
Root rot, fungus gnats, and soil nematodes are common problems for calla lilies planted in the ground.
 
When you grow calla lilies in water, you eliminate those risks entirely.
 
The clean environment helps your calla lilies focus all their energy on producing those gorgeous, trumpet-shaped blooms.
 
This makes water growing a fantastic option if you’ve struggled with soil-based calla lilies before.
 

3. You Control the Nutrients Easily

When calla lilies grow in water, you can easily add liquid fertilizer to give them exactly what they need.
 
Unlike soil, where nutrients can be unevenly distributed, water delivers nutrients directly to the roots.
 
This means you can grow calla lilies in water with a simple water-soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season.
 
Just be careful not to over-fertilize, as too many salts can burn the roots.
 
With the right balance, your water-grown calla lilies can actually bloom just as well as their soil-grown counterparts.
 

How To Grow Calla Lilies In Water Step By Step

If you want to try growing calla lilies in water, the process is straightforward and fun.
 
Here’s a simple method that works for both indoor vases and decorative containers.
 

1. Choose a Wide, Shallow Container

Calla lilies don’t like deep water, so pick a bowl or vase that’s wide but not too tall.
 
A glass bowl, ceramic pot, or even a mason jar can work nicely.
 
Fill the bottom with a layer of pebbles, marbles, or glass beads to anchor the rhizomes.
 
The pebbles give the roots something to grip while keeping the rhizome slightly elevated.
 

2. Place the Rhizome Properly

Set your calla lily rhizome on top of the pebbles with the growing points facing upward.
 
Add water until it just touches the bottom of the rhizome, not fully submerging it.
 
If you bury the rhizome completely under water, it can rot quickly.
 
The goal is to keep the roots wet while the top of the rhizome stays dry.
 
This is the golden rule when you grow calla lilies in water.
 

3. Provide Bright, Indirect Light

Calla lilies love light but not harsh, direct afternoon sun.
 
Place your water container near a bright window where it gets filtered sunlight for most of the day.
 
A north or east-facing windowsill is often perfect.
 
If the light is too intense, the water can heat up and stress the rhizome.
 
If the light is too low, your calla lilies may grow tall and floppy without blooming.
 

4. Change the Water Regularly

Stagnant water is the enemy of growing calla lilies in water.
 
You’ll need to replace the water every three to five days to keep it fresh and oxygenated.
 
When you change the water, rinse the pebbles gently to remove any algae or slime that may build up.
 
Use room-temperature water, never ice-cold or hot, to avoid shocking the roots.
 
This simple habit keeps your calla lilies in water healthy and prevents bacterial growth.
 

5. Feed Them Sparingly

About a month after you start growing calla lilies in water, begin adding a diluted liquid fertilizer.
 
Use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at half strength, or a bloom-boosting formula higher in phosphorus.
 
Add the fertilizer right after you change the water, so it distributes evenly.
 
Stop fertilizing once the blooms fade and the leaves start yellowing, as this signals dormancy.
 

Common Mistakes When Growing Calla Lilies In Water

Even though calla lilies can be grown in water, there are a few pitfalls that trip people up.
 
Avoid these mistakes and your water-grown calla lilies will reward you with stunning flowers.
 

1. Submerging the Rhizome Too Deep

The most common mistake is filling the container with too much water.
 
Remember, calla lilies in water need only the roots to be wet, not the whole rhizome.
 
If the rhizome sits fully underwater, it will suffocate and turn mushy within days.
 
Always keep the water level below the top third of the rhizome.
 

2. Using Chilled or Treated Water

Tap water that’s heavily chlorinated can harm calla lilies growing in water.
 
Let the water sit out overnight before using it, or use filtered water.
 
Also avoid putting the container near an air conditioner or drafty window, as cold water stresses the roots.
 
Warm, stable temperatures help calla lilies in water thrive.
 

3. Forgetting About Dormancy

Calla lilies naturally go dormant after blooming, and this applies to water-grown ones too.
 
When the leaves die back, stop watering and remove the rhizomes from the water.
 
Let them dry out in a cool, dark place for a few months, then restart the process.
 
If you try to keep growing calla lilies in water year-round, they’ll eventually exhaust themselves and stop blooming.
 

So, Can Calla Lilies Be Grown In Water?

Yes, calla lilies can be grown in water, both as a temporary display and as a fun hydroponic experiment.
 
The key is to keep the water shallow, change it regularly, and provide bright but indirect light.
 
You can grow calla lilies in water with pebbles, a vase, or even a decorative jar, and they’ll reward you with elegant blooms.
 
Just remember that calla lilies grown in water still need a rest period to come back stronger next season.
 
So go ahead and try it, your countertop or windowsill is the perfect spot for this water-loving beauty.
 
With a little attention, you’ll see exactly why calla lilies can be grown in water with such ease.