Carter ParkerBy Carter Parker

Updated November 2026

Are calla lilies annuals or perennials? The honest answer is that they are tender perennials, but whether they behave like one in your yard depends almost entirely on your winter temperatures. Gardeners in USDA zones 8 through 10 can leave the rhizomes in the ground year after year. Everyone farther north will get the best results by treating them as annuals or by lifting and storing the rhizomes each fall. This comparison walks through both options so you can decide which approach fits your climate, time and tolerance for seasonal chores.

Quick Comparison: Calla Lilies as Perennials vs. Annuals

The two approaches differ mainly in how much work they demand and how reliably they return. Use the table below as a snapshot before reading the criterion-by-criterion breakdown.

Criterion Grown as a Perennial (Zones 8–10) Grown as an Annual or Lifted (Zones 3–7)
Hardiness Survives outdoors through mild winters with rhizomes in soil Rhizomes cannot survive freezing ground temperatures
Yearly effort Low: mulch, water, feed in spring Moderate to high: planting each spring, or digging and storing each fall
Bloom timing Often earlier in spring, since plants are already established Usually starts after the last frost, so later in the season
Plant size over time Clumps grow larger and more floriferous each year Rhizomes are roughly the same size each season
Best for Gardeners in warm regions who want low maintenance Gardeners in cold regions who want the flowers without losing the plants

Hardiness: Which Approach Survives Winter Better?

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia species, most commonly Zantedeschia aethiopica and its hybrids) are native to southern Africa. They are not frost hardy, and their fleshy rhizomes rot in cold, waterlogged soil. In zones 8 through 10, where ground rarely freezes, the rhizomes can overwinter in place with a layer of mulch. In zone 8, a 3 to 4 inch layer of shredded leaves or straw is usually enough. In colder areas, the rhizomes will freeze and die.

Winner: Perennial approach, but only in zones 8–10. Where winters are mild, calla lilies genuinely behave as perennials. Outside that range, the annual approach or lifting wins because it is the only way to keep the plants alive.

Yearly Maintenance: Which Approach Asks Less of You?

Leaving calla lilies in the ground is the lowest-effort option, but it still needs some care. In spring, once new growth appears, feed with a balanced fertilizer and keep the soil evenly moist. Plants in full sun to part shade bloom best, and they will tolerate wet soil better than most bulbs, though they still prefer good drainage.

Growing them as annuals means planting rhizomes in spring after the soil warms to about 60°F, then discarding or composting them in fall. This avoids winter losses entirely but means buying or dividing new stock every year. Lifting and storing takes more effort. In fall, after the first light frost blackens the foliage, dig the rhizomes, brush off soil, let them dry for a week or two in a shaded, airy spot, then store them in dry peat or vermiculite at 50 to 55°F.

Winner: Perennial approach. It needs the least hands-on work each year, provided your climate allows it.

Bloom Timing and Show Quality

Established clumps in a warm climate often flower earlier than newly planted rhizomes, because they have a head start on root and leaf growth. Gardeners who plant rhizomes in spring typically see blooms about 10 to 12 weeks after planting, though this varies with temperature and variety. Lifted and stored rhizomes sometimes bloom a little later than those left in the ground, since they have to re-establish after storage.

Over several years, a perennial clump can produce noticeably more flowers than a freshly planted rhizome. Owners often report that calla lilies left undisturbed for three or four seasons form dense groupings that bloom heavily.

Winner: Perennial approach, for earlier and more abundant flowers in mild climates. In cold regions, the annual approach still gives strong blooms as long as rhizomes are planted at the right time.

Cost of Ownership and Long-Term Value

Over time, the perennial approach builds value because the clumps multiply. Each rhizome that survives can divide into several new plants, so you can fill a bed or share divisions with friends. Growing annually means repeatedly buying or dividing stock, which adds up as a yearly habit rather than a one-time investment. Lifting and storing keeps your original rhizomes, but it adds a small annual risk of losing some to rot or dehydration during storage.

Winner: Perennial approach for long-term value, again conditional on climate.

Container Growing and Flexibility

Container culture is the great equalizer. Potted calla lilies can be moved indoors before frost and kept in a cool, bright room over winter, which lets gardeners in any zone enjoy them as near-perennials. A 12 to 14 inch container with drainage holes works well for a small clump. Keep the soil lightly moist during dormancy and avoid soggy conditions.

Winner: Container culture, which gives cold-climate gardeners the best of both worlds. For more on indoor care, see Houseplant Calla Lily Plant Care Indoors: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Propagation and Division

Divide calla lily clumps every three to four years, or when flowering declines. The best time is early spring, just as new growth emerges. Lift the clump, separate the rhizomes with a clean knife so each piece has at least one growing point, and replant at the same depth as before, roughly 2 to 3 inches deep. Crowded clumps often flower less, so division also restores bloom.

Division is easier for perennially grown plants than for annuals, which are usually replaced rather than divided. For general guidance on timing and technique, read When and How to Divide Perennial Plants Successfully.

Winner: Perennial approach, since established clumps offer material to divide.

Which Should You Choose?

  • Choose the perennial approach if you garden in zones 8 through 10 and want low-maintenance plants that return each spring.
  • Choose the annual approach if you garden in zones 3 through 7 and prefer to plant fresh rhizomes each spring without storage chores.
  • Choose lifting and storage if you live in a cold zone but want to keep the same rhizomes year after year and don’t mind a fall digging session.
  • Choose container culture if you have limited ground space, want to move plants indoors, or want to control soil and drainage precisely.
  • Choose the perennial approach in a sheltered microclimate if you are in zone 7 but have a south-facing wall or heavy mulch options that keep the soil from freezing.

For a broader look at how these plants fit into a perennial bed, see Are Calla Lily Plants Perennials? Zones, Care and Overwintering and Are Calla Lily Perennials? Zones, Care and Winter Survival.

Recommended products for each approach:

FAQ

Are calla lilies annuals or perennials in most of the US?

In most of the US, calla lilies are treated as annuals or lifted each fall. They are tender perennials that only survive outdoors without special care in USDA zones 8 through 10. Gardeners farther north can grow them successfully by planting in spring and storing rhizomes over winter.

What temperature kills calla lily rhizomes?

Calla lily rhizomes are damaged when the ground freezes solidly, roughly below 25°F for extended periods. Cold, wet soil also causes rot even above freezing. Mulching helps in marginal zones, but the safest course in zone 7 and colder is to lift and store.

When should I plant calla lily rhizomes outdoors?

Plant rhizomes in spring after the last frost, once soil reaches about 60°F. Planting too early in cold, wet soil often leads to rot. Start rhizomes indoors in pots about 6 to 8 weeks before planting out if you want earlier blooms.

Do calla lilies come back every year?

In zones 8 through 10 with mulch protection, they usually return each year and multiply. In colder zones, they will not return unless you lift and store the rhizomes. Some gardeners in zone 7 get reliable returns in sheltered spots with thick mulch, but results vary from year to year.

How do I store calla lily rhizomes over winter?

After the foliage dies back in fall, dig the rhizomes and let them dry in a shaded, airy place for one to two weeks. Store them in dry peat, vermiculite or sawdust at around 50 to 55°F. Check periodically and discard any soft or moldy pieces. Replant in spring after the soil warms.

Conclusion

Are calla lilies annuals or perennials? They are tender perennials that behave as true perennials only in mild climates. In zones 8 through 10, leave them in the ground with mulch and enjoy clumps that grow larger each year. In colder areas, treat them as annuals or lift and store the rhizomes each fall. Container culture offers flexibility for any zone. Match the approach to your winter temperatures, and calla lilies will reward you with reliable, elegant blooms for years to come.

Carter Parker

About Carter Parker

Carter has been writing about plant care q&a for this site, with an eye on clear explanations, honest trade-offs and options for different needs and budgets.