Black Calla Lily

Arumpalaestinum

Family
Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee)
Genus
Arum (AIR-um)
Species
palaestinum (pal-ay-STY-num)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Foliage
Textured
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Dark Purple/Black
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Arcata, California

Benicia, California

Cambria, California

Canoga Park, California

Castro Valley, California

Clearlake, California

Davis, California

Fullerton, California

Los Angeles, California

Oakland, California

Oceanside, California

Pacific Grove, California

Petaluma, California

San Mateo, California

Saint Augustine, Florida

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

10
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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L
Los Angeles, CA | March 2021 | positive

The bloom is striking and the malodor isn't strong outdoors, but as a cut flower, you'll be sorry you brought it into your home. Does gr...Read More

E
Benicia, CA | March 2017 | neutral

I have had a couple calla lily volunteer plants in my yard for several years. This year a new, dark purple bloom came up and has been ide...Read More

J
Pacific Grove, CA | July 2013 | positive

love them. random appearances . very exotic, mine bloomed in
March, short lived. however,they now have corncob type seeds
w...Read More

O
Oakland, CA | May 2010 | positive

I found this plant growing at the side of an apartment building my family bought about 20 years ago. They're mixed in with white callas ...Read More

A
A
Arcata, CA | March 2007 | positive

Really great plants!! I had two Dracunculus bloom a season before these showed up. I had to emergency transplant three plants when I pu...Read More

P
Clarkston, WA | May 2004 | positive

I discovered a single plant in a neighbors yard and took it to a local nursery. Several people said that they too have them groing in th...Read More

G
G
| March 2004 | positive

We bought a house in August. The previous owner had a number of Great Danes. The dogs destroyed what was probably a beautiful yard at o...Read More

K
Oceanside, CA | February 2004 | positive

We have had great success by ignoring this plant altogether. It has grown in mass about three times in size in three years. It was plan...Read More

K
K
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) | March 2003 | positive

This is a very unusual-looking flower. I have sniffed them on purpose and have never detected any odor. The plant in my picture is grow...Read More

E
| March 2003 | positive

This gorgeous plant has been popping up everywhere in my east bay yard since at least the early 1950's. The velvety purply black spike an...Read More

K
K
Scotts Valley, CA | February 2003 | positive

My Black Calla appeared three years ago in the middle of a large bed of White Callas.
The Flower is almost as large as the White's...Read More

N
Petaluma, CA | September 2002 | neutral

Single vertical spathe unfurls to display deep purple/black spadix up to 10" long lasting only a few days, attracting fruit flies with it...Read More

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Featured
Doubleheaded Hawk Moth
(Coequosa triangularis)
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(Aphelocoma wollweberi)