Plant of the April
The ultra modern look of Zantedeschia

The Zantedeschia & Zen

There aren’t many houseplants that can display so many different looks – conventional, mystical and contemporary – but the Zantedeschia can pull it off. Cool, classy and mysterious right down to the tips of their spathes.

Soft as velvet
Its stylised calyx makes the Zantedeschia, also known as Calla Lily, a trendy plant with an ultra-modern look; at the same time, you could imagine it giving chic yoga lessons. Its large, soft bracts are what draw your attention; its actual flowers are in tiny clusters on the spadix inside the calyx. The plant is available in various colours such as white, yellow, orange and lilac a well as a dazzling deep purple. The calyx feels as soft as velvet and its tip can be either rounded or pointed depending on the variety. South Africa provides the largest wild habitat for the Zantedeschia.

A meditative moment
The Zantedeschia is the kind of houseplant that has more to offer than you might think. Its supple green leaves help purify the air in your home and, if they start to droop, will also let you know when the plant is thirsty. The unique, graceful shape of the calyxes provides a natural mandala for letting your mind slip into a meditative state until you emerge from yourself and reflect on the Calla Lily’s own balance and harmony.

Happy Housemate
Best location: good light, even in direct sun
Best temperature: 12-25ºC
Best care: in loose potting soil with a high humus content that should always be kept slightly moist. When placed in a sunny spot, the leaves will quickly release moisture, so it needs frequent watering. The plant will thrive on the terrace during the summer, but in the autumn, when the plant is no longer flowering and its leaves are yellowing, stop watering and store it in a cool, frost-free location. In the spring, break its hibernation by putting it in a warm spot and start watering again.
Best tip: Zantedeschia quickly lets you know if something is amiss: it will wither if not properly drained or droop if too dry. Correcting the situation and then leaving the plant alone will give it a reasonable chance of recovery.

Bet you didn’t know
The sensual curves of their spathes make the Zantedeschia a favourite with photographers and artists. This makes it one of the most photographed and painted flowers of all time and it can be seen in all kinds of advertising campaigns from cars to lingerie. The most famous paintings of this plant were made by Georgia O’Keeffe.

The Zantedeschia appeals very much to our imaginations. In ancient Rome, the flower was symbolic of mid-winter night, after which the days began to lengthen again. Victorian aristocrats used calla lilies to send secret messages. In general, the plant is seen as a symbol of purity and sympathy. We can leave it up to Freud, of course, to see only the erotic in this elegant, exotic and evocative houseplant.