Marsh calla
Calla palustris · Araceae
📷 Anna.Massini · CC BY 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant marsh calla: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, disappears in winter
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (May-July)
- Adult size
- 25 to 40 cm in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Hardy to -15°C
- Origin
- Northern Europe and temperate Asia
- Soil type
- Moist, peaty, at the water's edge
- Exposure
- Part shade to shade
Care
Watering
Calla palustris loves constant moisture and thrives in permanently wet soils. In a pond or wet area, keep the substrate saturated with water. In a pot, water generously and never let the soil dry out completely. During dry periods, increase the frequency of watering.
Exposure
Place this moisture-loving plant in part shade to partial shade. It tolerates morning sun but dislikes excessively hot and drying afternoon exposure. In cool, humid zones, it accepts more direct light.
Soil
Calla palustris prefers rich, peaty, and very moist soils, ideally acidic. In a pot, use a specialized mix for aquatic plants or blonde peat with compost. This marshy habitat is essential for its proper development.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced diluted fertilizer during the growing season (April to September), every 3 to 4 weeks. An application of organic matter in spring (compost, well-decomposed manure) is often sufficient if the soil is already rich.
Pruning and maintenance
Little maintenance is needed. In autumn, let the foliage dry naturally before removing dead parts. In a pond, regularly clean damaged leaves. The plant regenerates itself in spring from the rhizome.
Diseases and pests
Calla palustris is generally robust in its natural environment (moist habitat). Check for root rot in case of stagnant, poorly aerated water. Aphids and spider mites may occur in dry conditions: maintain ambient humidity to prevent them.
Did you know?
Although Calla palustris shares a name with the ornamental white Calla, it is not a true Calla (Zantedeschia) but rather a humbler cousin from boreal zones. In Northern Europe, it grows wild at the edge of lakes and marshes, its curious white and red inflorescences serving to attract pollinating insects. This plant was used in traditional Nordic medicine, though all parts contain irritating calcium oxalate crystals.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Calla lilyZantedeschia aethiopica
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- Giant taroAlocasia macrorrhizos
- Tree PhilodendronThaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
- Anthurium albumAnthurium album
- Anthurium roseumAnthurium roseum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.