Calla lilies are among the most recognizable flowering plants grown for both garden display and the cut flower trade, prized for their sleek, trumpet-shaped blooms and smooth, unbroken lines. Despite the common name, calla lilies are not true lilies at all, belonging instead to a separate plant family native to southern Africa that includes roughly 6 distinct wild species. What appears to be a single petal is technically a modified leaf called a spathe, which wraps around a central spike known as a spadix, a structural detail that sets calla lilies apart from nearly every other popular garden flower.
Calla lily plants typically reach 1 to 3 feet in height depending on the variety, with some of the more vigorous white-flowered types capable of growing clumps up to 40 inches tall under ideal conditions. A single healthy rhizome can produce multiple flowering stems in one season, and established clumps are often divided every 2 to 3 years as the rhizomes multiply underground. Calla lilies typically begin blooming about 8 weeks after planting, with the primary flowering window running from late spring through summer depending on climate and variety.
Color diversity has expanded considerably through modern hybridizing, moving well beyond the classic white form into deep purple, burgundy, orange, pink, yellow, and near-black tones. Roughly 90 percent of home growers reportedly misidentify which calla lily type they own, since many hybrid hues have been bred so extensively that their wild parentage is difficult to trace by appearance alone. Bicolor and multi-toned varieties have become especially popular in recent years, with some cultivars shifting through 2 or even 3 distinct colors from the base of the bloom to its outer edge.
Hardiness varies significantly across calla lily types, with most colored hybrids reliably surviving as perennials only in warmer zones 8 through 10, while the classic white-flowered types can tolerate conditions as far north as zone 7 with adequate winter mulch. In colder regions, calla lily rhizomes are commonly dug up each fall and stored indoors through winter before being replanted in spring. Calla lilies are also toxic if ingested, a trait shared across the entire plant family, so gardeners with pets or young children often take extra care with placement. Below are 40 different types of calla lily, each known for its own color, size, or growing habit.
Types of Calla Lily
Acapulco Gold
Acapulco Gold produces large, brilliantly bright yellow blooms that rank among the sunniest tones found in calla lily breeding. This variety holds its saturated color well throughout its full bloom cycle without fading toward the petal edges. Acapulco Gold typically performs best in full sun, where its vivid coloring is shown to greatest effect.
Night Life
Night Life is one of the deepest-colored calla lily varieties available, producing large blooms in a rich, blue-toned purple that borders on black in low light. This variety is considered darker and cooler in tone compared to similarly deep-colored types. Night Life typically reaches a moderate height and performs well as a dramatic focal point in mixed plantings.
Night Cap
Night Cap produces a smaller, redder shade of deep purple compared to Night Life, giving it a warmer overall tone despite the similar name. This variety tolerates soil moisture better than many other colored hybrids, making it a suitable choice for bog gardens or planting near ponds and streams. Night Cap’s more compact bloom size also makes it a good option for border plantings.
California Ice Dancer
California Ice Dancer produces large, perfectly creamy white flowers on stalks that typically reach about 18 inches tall. This variety has notably darker green foliage than most other calla lily types, creating strong visual contrast against its pale blooms. California Ice Dancer is often chosen for gardeners who want the classic white calla look with a slightly more compact growth habit.
California Red
California Red produces a gorgeous, balanced shade of deep reddish pink, neither too bright nor too dark for most garden color schemes. This variety blends well with both warm and cool-toned companion plants, making it a versatile choice for mixed borders. California Red typically reaches a standard height similar to most hybrid calla lily types.
Pink Melody
Pink Melody produces a striking triple-toned flower that transitions from green to white to pink as the bloom extends outward from its base. This variety is one of the taller calla lily types, capable of reaching up to 2 feet in height. Pink Melody’s gradient coloring makes each individual bloom feel like a small study in color transition.
Crystal Blush
Crystal Blush closely resembles Pink Melody but leans whiter overall, showing just a subtle blush of pink along the petal edges rather than a full gradient. This variety is especially popular with florists for its long-lasting cut flower quality. Crystal Blush also performs well indoors during winter months when kept in appropriate conditions.
Fire Dancer
Fire Dancer is considered one of the showiest calla lily varieties available, producing large blooms in a deep gold shade dramatically edged in red. This variety draws significant attention when planted along borders or in containers where its bold coloring can stand out. Fire Dancer is hardy as a perennial in warmer zones and grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Crowborough
Crowborough is a sterile triploid hybrid bred specifically for compact size and prolific white blooming, typically reaching about 50 centimeters in height. This variety is rhizomatous but non-invasive, spreading modestly compared to some of its wild parent species. Crowborough is considered hardy with winter mulch protection down to zone 7b, colder than most colored calla hybrids can tolerate.
Green Goddess
Green Goddess produces uncommon green flowers with subtle speckling, making it one of the more unusual and collectible calla lily types available. This variety is often described as a conversation starter due to its atypical coloring compared to standard white or brightly colored types. Green Goddess is considered a rare find outside of specialty nurseries.
Sunshine
Sunshine produces glowing, bright yellow blooms and belongs to the same broad plant group responsible for many of the perennial white-flowered calla types. This variety thrives in warm temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit and requires consistently moist soil, receiving 1 to 2 inches of water weekly for best performance. Sunshine can retain its foliage and continue developing flowers through winter in the right climate.
Black Magic
Black Magic produces dramatically dark, almost black blooms marked with striking internal patterning, making it one of the most sought-after rare calla lily cultivars. This variety is often used for breeding and remains popular for both cut flower arrangements and garden displays. Black Magic plants typically grow 24 to 36 inches tall and require rhizomes to be lifted before winter in most climates.
Flame
Flame is a well-known cultivar within the golden-flowered calla lily group, producing warm-toned blooms that provide weeks of color in the summer garden. This variety is frequently used in breeding programs aimed at developing new colored hybrids. Flame typically reaches 24 to 36 inches tall and requires rhizome storage over winter outside of its hardiness range.
Captain Safari
Captain Safari produces a bold, multi-color display combining vivid orange and yellow tones across large blooms. This variety’s arrow-shaped leaves are also marked with white spots, adding ornamental interest even when the plant is not in flower. Captain Safari blooms during summer and fall and performs best in garden beds or containers rather than aquatic planters.
Picasso
Picasso produces dramatic dark purple flowers rimmed in white along the petal edges, creating one of the more striking bicolor combinations in calla lily breeding. This variety prefers full sun and consistently moist soil, and can be grown as a marginal aquatic plant, though not in water deeper than about 12 inches. Picasso blooms during summer and fall, adding bold color to beds, vases, and outdoor arrangements alike.
Golden Calla
Golden Calla produces sizable mustard-yellow blooms paired with broad, white-speckled leaves, creating a regal appearance in the garden. This variety requires consistently wet roots during its early growth phase and performs well in bog-like planting conditions. Golden Calla typically blooms during summer with full sun to partial shade recommended for best flowering.
Anneke
Anneke stunned the horticultural world upon its introduction, producing a gorgeous deep purple bloom with a hidden yellow hue tucked within the flower’s tube. This variety quickly became a favorite for bridal and event bouquets and remains one of the top-selling calla lily cultivars on the market. Anneke is typically grown as a perennial in warmer zones and as an annual further north.
Nashville
Nashville is technically a multi-colored variety despite its name suggesting a single tone, displaying vibrant purple hues that gradually shift into creamy white with green extending from the stalk. This variety is smaller than many other calla lily types, making it a strong choice for containers or garden edging. Nashville’s gradient coloring gives each bloom a distinctive, painterly quality.
Red Alert
Red Alert produces fire-engine red flowers lightly mottled with orange, offering one of the more vivid warm-toned options in calla lily breeding. This variety grows well in full sun but benefits from afternoon shade in especially hot climates. Red Alert typically performs as a perennial in warmer zones and as an annual in cooler regions.
Whipped Cream
Whipped Cream produces soft, creamy white blooms with a subtle warmth that distinguishes it from starker white cultivars. This variety is commonly listed among reliable, easy-to-grow calla lily types suited to a range of garden styles. Whipped Cream typically reaches a standard height comparable to most hybrid calla lily varieties.
Lavender Petite
Lavender Petite produces soft lavender-purple blooms on a notably compact plant, making it well suited to smaller garden spaces and container arrangements. This variety’s petite size sets it apart from many larger colored hybrids that can dominate a bed. Lavender Petite is a popular choice for gardeners seeking pastel tones in a more manageable footprint.
Pink Persuasion
Pink Persuasion produces rich pink blooms with a smooth, unbroken color that holds well from first opening through the end of its flowering cycle. This variety is commonly included in mixed hybrid collections alongside other colored calla lily types. Pink Persuasion performs best with consistently moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Galaxy
Galaxy is a hybrid cultivar known for its multi-toned blooms, often combining 2 or more colors within a single flower for a dynamic, layered appearance. This variety is frequently grown alongside other hybrid types to create a coordinated but varied garden display. Galaxy typically reaches a moderate height similar to most colored calla hybrids.
Mango
Mango produces warm orange blooms reminiscent of its namesake fruit, offering a bold, tropical-toned option among calla lily cultivars. This variety demands full sun and benefits from regular potassium-rich feeding to maintain strong bloom color. Mango is a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a vivid, warm accent to summer plantings.
Pink Mist
Pink Mist produces delicate, softly colored pink blooms with a hazy, blended quality to the coloring rather than a sharply defined tone. This variety belongs to a hybrid complex known for producing some of the more pastel-toned calla lily cultivars available. Pink Mist typically grows to a moderate height suited to mixed borders and containers.
White Calla Lily
White Calla Lily refers to the classic, most widely recognized form of the flower, producing large, pure white trumpet-shaped blooms around a bright yellow spadix. This type can reach up to 3 feet tall and is unusual among calla lilies for tolerating semi-aquatic growing conditions, making it suitable for bog and pond-edge plantings. White Calla Lily remains the most commonly planted type worldwide and the standard against which most colored hybrids are compared.
Spotted Calla Lily
Spotted Calla Lily is known for its distinctive ivory white blooms that sometimes shift into pale yellow or coral pink tones, paired with foliage marked by pale spotting. This type is one of the primary wild species used in breeding many of today’s colored hybrid cultivars. Spotted Calla Lily typically grows in a moderate size range compared to the larger white-flowered types.
Pink Calla Lily
Pink Calla Lily produces vibrant flamingo-pink blooms and typically flowers between midsummer and the start of fall, later than many other calla lily types. This variety is resistant to both deer and rabbits, like most calla lily types, though it remains toxic to household pets if ingested. Pink Calla Lily prefers moist soil and full sun and can be grown successfully in semi-aquatic containers.
Golden Arum
Golden Arum, also known as the golden calla, produces large, trumpet-shaped spathes in a glorious golden yellow with lightly freckled, arrowhead-shaped foliage. This type is often used as a breeding parent and has produced several notable cultivars for both cut flowers and garden display. Golden Arum typically grows 24 to 36 inches tall and requires rhizomes to be lifted for winter storage outside of its hardiness range.
Mapoch Lily
Mapoch Lily is native to a specific region of South Africa and produces dazzling, cup-shaped blooms in sunshine yellow with a deep purple blotch marking the inner base of each flower. This type has semi-glossy, plain green leaves without the spotting found on many related species. Mapoch Lily provides excellent late-summer color when grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Odessa
Odessa produces a deep, velvety purple bloom considered one of the richer jewel-toned options in commercial calla lily catalogs. This variety is commonly sold as part of mixed rhizome collections featuring several dark-toned cultivars together. Odessa typically reaches a standard height comparable to most hybrid calla lily types.
Schwarzwalder
Schwarzwalder produces extremely dark, near-black blooms that rank among the deepest tones achieved in calla lily breeding. This variety is frequently paired with lighter-colored companion plants to emphasize its striking depth of color. Schwarzwalder remains a popular choice among collectors seeking the darkest possible calla lily tone.
Majestic Red
Majestic Red produces bold, saturated red blooms that hold their color well even under strong summer sun. This variety is commonly featured in warm-toned garden color schemes alongside orange and yellow companion plantings. Majestic Red typically reaches a moderate height similar to other hybrid calla lily cultivars.
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate produces deep maroon-brown blooms, an unusual earthy tone not commonly found among flowering bulbs. This variety adds a warm, unconventional color option to mixed plantings that might otherwise rely solely on brighter hues. Hot Chocolate is often sought out by gardeners looking to diversify beyond the standard calla lily color range.
Amethyst
Amethyst produces a clear, jewel-toned purple bloom that holds its brightness well throughout the flowering season. This variety pairs particularly well with silver or gray foliage companion plants, which help emphasize its cool purple tone. Amethyst typically reaches a standard calla lily height in the 18 to 24 inch range.
Chianti
Chianti produces deep wine-red blooms reminiscent of its namesake, offering one of the richer red tones in calla lily cultivation. This variety is commonly included in autumn-themed garden displays for its warm, saturated coloring. Chianti typically grows to a moderate height consistent with most hybrid calla lily types.
Treasure
Treasure produces golden-yellow blooms with a subtle depth of color that sets it apart from brighter, flatter yellow cultivars. This variety is commonly featured in commercial rhizome collections marketed toward home gardeners. Treasure typically reaches a standard height similar to other hybrid calla lily varieties.
Aztec Gold
Aztec Gold produces rich, warm gold blooms with a slightly deeper tone than more citrus-toned yellow cultivars. This variety is often chosen for its bold, sun-drenched coloring in mixed summer plantings. Aztec Gold typically performs best in full sun conditions, similar to most yellow-flowered calla lily types.
Ivory
Ivory produces soft, warm off-white blooms that offer a gentler alternative to the starker tone of classic white calla lily types. This variety is frequently chosen for bridal and event florals where a warmer neutral is preferred over pure white. Ivory typically reaches a standard height in line with most hybrid calla lily cultivars.
Purple Sensation
Purple Sensation produces large, dramatic purple blooms considered among the showier entries in the deep-toned calla lily category. This variety is frequently used as a focal point in mixed borders where its bold coloring can command attention. Purple Sensation typically reaches a moderate to tall height depending on growing conditions.