Do Calla Lilies Have Seeds? (Explained & Guides)

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I have seen many articles on the internet about flowers and their seeds. I was curious to know if calla lilies had seeds, so I decided to do some research of my own. 

If you would like to grow calla lilies, this article will be a helpful guide for planting seeds and taking care of your plants as they grow.

A gardener's hand holding a mature, textured Calla Lily seed pod.
A gardener holds a textured seed pod, revealing the dark seeds hidden inside this unique botanical structure.

Here’s the Answer to Whether Calla Lilies Have Seeds:

Calla lilies have seeds. Each seed pod of a calla lily contains at least one or two seeds. To grow calla lilies from seeds, you need to attach the seed pod to the plant and wait until it matures. The seed pod must be completely dry before it is removed.

Calla lilies can also be propagated by separating the bulbs or by growing the seeds.

You can purchase seed pods from reputable sources or collect mature seed pods from spent flowers.

What Do Calla Lily Seeds Look Like?

Calla lilies are a type of lily that are brightly coloured and have a pod-like shape. The seeds must be dried before being removed, and care must be taken not to damage the plant.

Gardener planting small seeds into a terracotta pot with dark soil.
Gloved hands carefully sow seeds into a terracotta pot inside a sunlit greenhouse to grow calla lilies.

Can You Grow Calla Lilies from Seeds?

To grow calla lilies from seed, start by growing them indoors in a stable environment.

Wet the paper towel with the seeds and place it into a plastic bag before placing it in a cool area.

After a while, the seeds will germinate and can be transplanted to the compost. Gently bury the germinated seeds in a small hole with your finger. Avoid burying the seeds too deeply in the soil.

Plant the seeds about an inch deep in 9cm pots. Place the seeds in a location where they will be exposed to natural or artificial light for the most of the day.

Once the seedlings are well rooted and have good-sized shoots, you can transfer them to their permanent location.

Calla lilies need to be brought indoors in colder climates.

Sowing calla lily seeds can take up to three years.

Calla Lily seeds on a wet paper towel for germination.
Dark calla lily seeds rest on a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag to begin germination.

How Long Do Calla Lily Seeds Require to Germinate?

Calla lilies require bright, indirect light to germinate. They take a few days to three months to germinate. Once they have two or three mature leaves, they should be moved to individual 4-inch nursery pots and covered with a clear plastic bag to keep the soil moist and let light reach the seed.

Young green Calla Lily sprouts growing in small pots on a windowsill.
Healthy green sprouts grow in small pots on a sunny windowsill next to a vintage glass mister.

How to Care for Your Growing Sprouts?

To care for your calla lily sprouts, fill the drip tray with water and wait an hour before draining the excess water. Keep the seedlings in direct sunlight and water only when the surface of the soil is dry. Wait six to eight hours after planting before watering.

If you live in a drier place, you can keep a clear plastic bag over the pot to retain moisture and humidity. You can supplement natural light with grow lights if you don’t have a space like this in your home.

Snipping a dry seed pod from a Calla Lily plant with garden shears.
Carefully snip the dried flower heads with shears to begin harvesting your own calla lily seeds.

How to Harvest Calla Lily Seeds?

To harvest calla lily seeds, you should wait for the seeds and seed pods to mature before harvesting. You can either purchase them online, from a nursery, or from a friend’s plant. To sow the seeds, follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Calla lily seeds need a stable environment to germinate and grow. Choose an area in your garden that gets partial sun and has well-drained soil.

2. Prepare the soil by loosening it with a hoe or tiller. Mix in some organic matter such as compost or manure to help improve drainage and fertility.

3. Sow the calla lily seeds on the surface of the soil, spacing them about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Lightly press them into the soil but do not cover them with too much soil or they will not be able to germinate.

4. Water the area gently so as not to disturb the seeds freshly sown on top of the ground. They need only light watering until they sprout, which should be in 14 to 21 days at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). Once they sprout, water more frequently so that the soil stays moist but not soggy, which can cause the seeds to rot.

5. When the seedlings are about 4 inches (10 cm) tall, thin them out so that they are spaced about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) apart.

This step-by-step guide will help you successfully harvest calla lily seeds.

Calla Lilies growing in a natural garden bed under soft light.
White calla lilies lean toward the ground, showing how they naturally self-seed in a lush garden.

Do Lilies Self-Seed?

Self-seeding occurs when the lily reproduces on its own without human intervention. The Calla lily produces a seed pod which contains the seeds. The pod matures over several months and then bursts open, releasing the seeds. The seeds then germinate and grow into new plants.

After flowering, calla lilies develop pods that contain tan seeds. Since the seeds need to stay dormant for three months, they should be planted in the spring after they have been harvested in the fall. Calla lily seedlings can be transplanted outside in early summer.

Flat lay of gardening tools and seeds for Calla Lily propagation.
Gather your seeds, soil, and tools to begin the rewarding process of growing calla lilies at home.

How to Propagate Calla Lilies from Seeds?

Calla lilies can be propagated from seeds, but it is a challenge.

The easiest way to propagate calla lilies is by dividing rhizomes.

Seeds can be planted in the fall or in the spring directly in the ground.

If you want to propagate calla lilies from seeds, save the whole flower head and cut it off the plant before frost.

Seeds drying on parchment paper in a bright indoor setting.
Dark calla lily seeds are spread on parchment paper in a wooden tray to dry by sunlight.

How to Dry Calla Lily Seeds?

There are two ways to go about storing calla lily seeds – drying them or not drying them.

The process of drying calla lily seeds

If you choose to dry your calla lily seeds, bake them at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for six hours.

When it comes time to plant the seeds, they can be planted fresh or dried.

Or Not to Dry

However, calla lilies can also be stored fresh without having to go through the drying process.

You can also store them in a watertight container in the fridge or freezer.

Pressing freshly harvested seeds will allow them to germinate and bloom within about 30 days.

A gardener planning their planting schedule with seeds and a calendar.
A gardener smiles while holding a seed packet, ready to start her indoor planting this March.

When to Start Calla Lily Seeds?

To start calla lily seeds, cover them with a damp paper towel and place them in a cool location. Once they begin to grow, plant them in soil. To ensure successful growth, watch for signs of growth and transplant when necessary.

Small paper seed envelopes stored in a wooden box.
Keep your calla lily seeds safe and organized in labeled paper envelopes inside a sturdy wooden box.

How to Store Calla Lily Seeds?

To ensure the best possible chance of your calla lily seeds germinating, it is important to store them properly.

Gather the seeds by either squeezing the kernels or cutting the pods off and storing them in a paper bag. The seeds will become rubbery and tough when they are ready to be stored.

Store the seeds of the calla lily in an airtight container until spring. When you squeeze the seeds between your thumb and forefinger, they will simply pop out.

A blooming Calla Lily in a ceramic pot during sunset.
Stunning white calla lilies in a decorative pot glow during a peaceful golden hour garden sunset.

Final Thoughts

Yes, calla lilies do have seeds! If you want to grow your own calla lilies, you can do so by planting the seeds. They are not difficult to grow from seed, but it does take patience and care.

Be sure to take care of your plants as they grow, and you will soon have a beautiful calla lily garden of your own!

With the proper care, your calla lily plants will thrive and produce beautiful flowers for years to come.