Black Eyed Lady Calla Lily Bulbs

Light Needs

Part Sun to Full Sun

(5+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

1-1.5 Feet

Mature Spread

12-15 Inches

Growing Zones

7 to 10

Black Eyed Lady Calla Lily Bulbs stand out for their creamy white spathes and dramatic dark throat, lending a refined contrast. Zantedeschia 'Black Eyed Lady' grows 14 to 18 inches tall with speckled green foliage that keeps the plant attractive between blooms. The flowers have a sculpted, upright form that suits patio pots, summer borders, and cut arrangements. We appreciate this calla most in containers near seating areas, where the dark centers can be noticed up close.

This spring-planted calla lily blooms in midsummer and performs best with warm soil, steady moisture, and good drainage. Its compact habit makes it easier to use than taller callas, especially in smaller gardens or mixed planters. The spotted leaves give the plant extra value after the flowers are cut or finished. Use it along a sunny walk, in a formal porch planter, or grouped in a cut-flower bed where the pale blooms can cool down hotter summer colors.

Black Eyed Lady Calla Lily Bulbs Care

Plant Black Eyed Lady Calla Lily Bulbs in full sun to partial shade, giving them morning sun in hotter climates. Use loose, compost-rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0 to 7.0. Callas dislike heavy, compacted ground, so raised beds or containers are helpful if you have clay soil that stays wet.

Water after planting, then keep the soil barely moist until shoots appear. Once leaves are growing, water more generously whenever the top inch of soil begins to dry, especially during bud development. Feed monthly during active growth with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer or use a slow-release fertilizer at planting. In zones colder than 7, let the foliage yellow after bloom, then lift and store the rhizomes dry in a frost-free location.

Remove spent flowers by cutting the stem near the base rather than leaving it to collapse into the foliage. Keep healthy leaves in place until they fade, since they help recharge the rhizome for storage or next year’s growth. For indoor forcing, start rhizomes in a warm pot several weeks before outdoor planting season, then move them outside once nights stay mild.

Black Eyed Lady Calla Lily Bulbs Spacing

Space Black Eyed Lady Calla Lily Bulbs 12 to 15 inches apart in garden beds for clean foliage separation and better air movement. For containers, plant one rhizome in a 10- to 12-inch pot, or use three in a wide 16- to 18-inch planter with drainage holes. Container callas dry faster than in-ground plantings, so check moisture often once the leaves unfold, and move pots out of harsh afternoon sun during heat waves.

Companion Planting

Pair Black Eyed Lady with begonias and impatiens in part-shade containers for a polished mix of upright blooms, rounded flowers, and full foliage. In sunnier beds, use salvia and yarrow nearby to extend pollinator activity and contrast the calla’s smooth flower shape with airy spikes and flat-topped clusters. Coleus also works well around container edges, especially where its foliage can echo the calla’s spotted leaves without crowding the rhizome.

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