Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Other names
Arum lily, Trumpet lily, White arum lily, Egyptian lily, Lily of the Nile, Richardia, African lily, Altar lily, Calla lily, Calla aethiopica
Genus
Zantedeschia Zantedeschia
Species
Z. aethiopica - Z. aethiopica is a perennial suitable for ponds, bog gardens, or moist soil. It has rich green, arrow-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped white spathes in spring and summer.
Zantedeschia aethiopica is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested. The sap may irritate skin and eyes.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
White, Yellow in Spring; Yellow, White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Bog garden, Waterside
Cultivation
Plant in loam soil (ideally in planting baskets) in water up to 30cm deep, in full sun. Protect overwintering plants by removing the baskets and storing them in a frost-free environment.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Pond/In water
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Other names
Arum lily, Trumpet lily, White arum lily, Egyptian lily, Lily of the Nile, Richardia, African lily, Altar lily, Calla lily, Calla aethiopica
Genus
Zantedeschia Zantedeschia
Species
Z. aethiopica - Z. aethiopica is a perennial suitable for ponds, bog gardens, or moist soil. It has rich green, arrow-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped white spathes in spring and summer.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested. The sap may irritate skin and eyes.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Yellow in Spring; Yellow, White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Bog garden, Waterside
Cultivation
Plant in loam soil (ideally in planting baskets) in water up to 30cm deep, in full sun. Protect overwintering plants by removing the baskets and storing them in a frost-free environment.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Pond/In water
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily)
Common pest name
Powdery mildew: cotton; Powdery mildew: eggplant; Powdery mildew: pepper; Powdery mildew: tomato
Scientific pest name
Leveillula taurica
Type
Fungus
Current status in UK
Present (Limited)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Believed to be present and no statutory action is being taken. Status needs to be confirmed by survey.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Pond/In water | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By Blackheath based garden designer Catherine Clancy MSGD.This long thin West London garden had lots of lovely mature trees providing a good structure, but a lot shade. read more
By garden designer Katrina Kieffer-Wells of Earth Designs. The theme of the design is based on the distinctive garden of Frida Kahlo, with a strong colour palette of cobalt blue and zingy yellow. A… read more
Inspired by the concept of intelligent homes, LG’s Smart Garden was created to demonstrate how technology can be incorporated harmoniously into the garden, as well as the home. Designer Hay… read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Not flowering
Zantedeschia aethiopica
There are 6 active discussions about Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily)
View all discussions