Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs

Light Needs

Part Sun to Full Sun

(5+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

1-2 Feet

Mature Spread

4-6 Inches

Growing Zones

8 to 10

Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs turn summer containers and borders into a clean, high-color display with upright red blooms and speckled green foliage. Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs grow 18 to 24 inches tall and give patios and garden beds a tailored look. Zantedeschia 'Red Alert' has the sleek, trumpet-shaped flower form callas are famous for, making it excellent for fresh arrangements. We often suggest this one for deck planters because the foliage still looks attractive between flower flushes.

This South African tender perennial grows from corm-like rhizomes and performs beautifully in warm summer weather. The flowers appear from mid to late summer, and the spotted leaves add extra interest before and after bloom. Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs are useful along sunny borders, beside water features where soil drains well, and in patio containers that need height without bulk. They are especially strong as cut flowers because the stems are smooth, modern, and long lasting in vases.

Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs Care

Plant Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs in full sun to partial shade, with afternoon shade helpful in very hot climates. Use loose, well-drained soil that holds light moisture, such as amended loam or a high-quality potting mix for containers. A slightly acidic to neutral pH, about 6.0 to 7.0, is best for strong root growth and good flower color.

Start watering lightly after planting, then increase moisture once shoots are several inches tall. Young plants should not sit dry during active growth, and established container plants need water when the upper soil begins to feel dry but the lower root zone is still cool. Feed every few weeks with a bloom-boosting fertilizer during the growing season, especially for potted plants. Mulch garden plantings after the soil warms to help conserve moisture while keeping the crown from being buried too deeply.

Calla lilies do not need shaping, but spent flowers can be cut at the base of the stem to keep the plant clean. Yellowing leaves should remain until they have finished feeding the rhizome. In zones 3 to 7, lift the rhizomes in fall after foliage declines, dry them briefly, and store them in a cool, frost-free place for spring replanting.

Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs Spacing

Plant Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs 2 to 4 inches deep and 4 to 9 inches apart, depending on whether you want a tight container display or a looser garden grouping. A 12-inch pot can hold one to three bulbs, while larger patio planters can be layered with lower annuals around the calla leaves. Keep container drainage open, since trapped water around calla rhizomes can shorten the lifespan.

Companion Planting

For containers, pair Red Alert Calla Lily Bulbs with bacopa, coleus, or lobelia in partial sun to give the planting a cooler root zone and strong foliage contrast. In sunnier garden beds, salvia and African daisies make suitable partners because they handle bright light and keep color near the base of the calla stems. For a larger mixed border, use fountain grass nearby to soften the upright shape while letting the red calla blooms stay clear and visible.

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