Zantedeschia aethiopica

Plant with bright yellow spadixes, beautiful, long-lasting white spathes, ripe yellow fruits, and striking leaves resembling arrows.

Plant Description

Zantedeschia aethiopica has dark glossy green, arrowhead-shaped leaves. It grows up to 20-60 cm tall and 45-60 cm wide forming large colonies in marshy areas. White flowers that look like a trumpet appear from August to January and attract birds and butterflies. The spathe turns green after flowering shelter ripening berries.

Growing Zantedeschia aethiopica

The arum lily grows best in swampy and marshy areas that receive full sun or partial shade. In full sun, the flowering rate is much greater than in partial shade. It does better in soil that is rich with good drainage. It can be grown as a cut flower, along the streams, ponds, indoor plants, in water-wise, coastal and fynbos gardens. It withstands salt spray and does well in good compost.

Propagate by seeds sown in spring, late summer or autumn and by dividing clumps of tuberous stems.

Seeds

• Sow seeds in spring, late summer and early autumn.
• Peel the pulp from the fruits and let them dry.
• Sow the seeds in a well-drained medium.
• Cover seeds lightly with soil and keep moist.
•  A sufficient amount of light is required until seed germination occurs. 
• Fresh seed germination usually occurs within two to three weeks.