Hello, dedicated caretaker. I am your Indoor Calla Lily, a being of elegant curves and serene beauty. To help me thrive and express my gratitude through magnificent, long-lasting blooms, here is my perspective on the care I need throughout the year.
I am dormant. You might worry as my leaves yellow and wither, but this is my essential period of sleep. Please stop watering me almost completely. Allow my soil to become very dry. Move my pot to a cool, dark place (around 50-55°F / 10-13°C) for 6-8 weeks. This cold, quiet rest is how I gather the energy for my next performance. Do not fertilize me; let me dream.
I feel the world warming. It is time to wake up. Please repot me into fresh, well-draining potting mix. My rhizomes appreciate a new home with space to grow. Place me in a pot with good drainage holes. Return me to a bright, warm spot and begin watering me sparingly. As you see my first green shoots emerge, you can gradually increase the water. This is a gentle awakening, not a sudden shock.
This is my time to shine! I am actively growing and preparing to flower. I crave bright, indirect sunlight. Direct, harsh sun will scorch my leaves. Keep my soil consistently moist but never soggy; I dislike wet feet. I am hungry! Feed me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. This high-phosphorus diet supports the energy-intensive work of creating my beautiful spathes. Watch for my spectacular blooms to unfold.
I am still in my prime, but my energy begins to wane as the days shorten. Continue your regular watering and feeding schedule as long as I am blooming. Remove any spent flowers to direct my energy to the remaining blooms and my foliage. Keep me away from drafts and air conditioning vents, as I prefer a consistently warm environment. I appreciate your attention to my continued beauty.
My blooming is complete. My leaves will start to yellow, signaling that I am ready for my rest. Please stop fertilizing me now. Gradually reduce watering. This tells my system to slow down and prepare for dormancy. Allow my foliage to die back naturally; this process pulls energy back into my rhizome for storage, which is vital for my survival and next year's growth.
I am fully dormant. You may cut back my remaining yellowed foliage. Move my pot to that cool, dark, and dry place you prepared for me in winter. Check on my rhizome occasionally to ensure it is not rotting or shriveling completely, but I require almost no water. Let me sleep. This quiet period is not a sign of death, but a promise of life yet to come.
