Calla Lily vs Peace Lily: An In-Depth Comparison
Calla lilies and peace lilies are two of the most popular flowering plants, and it’s easy to see why. With their elegant blooms and lush greenery they can instantly elevate any indoor or outdoor space.
Though they share “lily” in their names, calla lilies and peace lilies are actually quite different plants. Calla lilies belong to the Zantedeschia genus while peace lilies belong to the Spathiphyllum genus. Beyond taxonomy they have key differences in appearance, care, and symbolism.
Let’s look at everything you need to know about the calla lily and the peace lily side by side. You’ll learn how to tell them apart, what they need to grow, and which one is best for you. Let’s dive in!.
Appearance and Growth Habit
One of the most obvious differences between calla lilies and peace lilies is their appearance, especially the flowers.
Calla lilies are renowned for their elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms on straight, upright flower stalks. The flowers come in various colors like white, pink, yellow, orange, red, and purple. They have a central spadix surrounded by a colored leaf-like bract.
Peace lily flowers, on the other hand, are much simpler. They have a central spadix surrounded by a white bract that looks like a sail and is called a spathe. The flower of the peace lily is smaller and less showy than the flower of the calla lily.
Peace lilies have broad, dark green elliptical leaves that look like hearts, while calla lilies have arrowhead-shaped leaves. Peace lily leaves are all green, while calla lily leaves often have white spots on them.
In terms of growth habit, calla lilies stay fairly compact, reaching 1-3 feet in height. Peace lilies can grow much taller, up to 6 feet high! Callas also spread through rhizomes while peace lilies grow in a clumping habit from a central crown.
Ideal Growing Conditions
When it comes to ideal growing conditions, calla lilies and peace lilies need different care.
Calla lilies thrive in zones 8-11 and need full sun to partial shade. They prefer moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A key aspect of calla lily care is a winter dormancy period triggered by colder weather. During dormancy, you reduce watering and let the foliage die back until spring growth resumes.
On the other hand, peace lilies do best in zones 10–12 and do best in bright, indirect light or some shade. They like potting mix made from peat that keeps water in but also drains well. It’s best for peace lilies if the soil stays moist but not soaked.
Unlike calla lilies, peace lilies grow year-round without a dormancy period. They make excellent houseplants since they tolerate low light and adapt well to indoor conditions.
Watering Needs
To keep your plants happy and healthy, pay close attention to their watering requirements.
Calla lilies prefer moist soil but are prone to rot if overwatered, especially in poorly draining soil. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering during dormancy.
Peace lilies also enjoy moist soil but are more forgiving if you forget to water occasionally. Wait for the top few inches of soil to become dry before watering. Their leaves will droop to signal under-watering.
Fertilizer and Maintenance
When it comes to feeding your plants, calla lilies and peace lilies have different fertilizer needs.
Calla lilies benefit from low-nitrogen fertilizer applied regularly during growth to fuel lush blooms over foliage. Too much nitrogen leads to excessive leaf growth rather than flowers.
Peace lilies enjoy a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer applied at planting time.
For maintenance, remove spent calla blooms to encourage new flowers. Prune any diseased or dying foliage. Dig up rhizomes and store them over winter.
Peace lilies appreciate having dead leaves and flowers trimmed to maintain a tidy appearance. Repot every couple years as needed to provide fresh growing medium.
Symbolic Meaning and Uses
Beyond care and cultivation, calla lilies and peace lilies carry different symbolic meaning and uses.
The calla lily is renowned for its elegant beauty and is strongly associated with weddings. It symbolizes purity, new beginnings, and rebirth. Callas also represent grace, elegance, and sophistication.
Meanwhile, the peace lily represents tranquility, harmony, hope, and rebirth. Its name evokes a sense of serenity and calm. The peace lily is often given as a gift for healing or to express sympathy.
Calla lilies make stunning cut flowers for bouquets and centerpieces. Peace lilies are valued for their air purifying properties and ability to help remove indoor toxins like benzene and formaldehyde.
Key Differences Between Calla Lily and Peace Lily
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Flowers: Calla lily has colorful, trumpet-shaped blooms; peace lily has simpler white spathes
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Foliage: Calla lily leaves are arrowhead-shaped; peace lily leaves are elliptical
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Height: Calla lilies reach 1-3 feet tall; peace lilies can grow up to 6 feet tall
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Light needs: Calla lily requires full sun to partial shade; peace lily thrives in low to bright indirect light
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Soil: Calla lily prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil; peace lily likes peat-based potting mix
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Water: Allow calla lily soil to partially dry out before watering; keep peace lily soil evenly moist
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Dormancy: Calla lilies go dormant in winter; peace lilies grow year-round
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Fertilizer: Calla lilies need low-nitrogen fertilizer; peace lilies like balanced liquid fertilizer
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Symbolic meaning: Calla lily represents purity and new beginnings; peace lily symbolizes tranquility and peace
Which One is Right for You?
Now that you know the key differences between these graceful plants, how do you choose the right one for your needs?
If you want a vibrant, eye-catching bloom to highlight your garden or floral arrangements, go for the calla lily. Enjoy its elegant flowers in white, pink, yellow, orange, red or purple hues.
For an easy-care houseplant that purifies indoor air, choose the peace lily. Its air cleaning abilities and subtle white blooms add a tranquil presence.
The calla lily thrives with consistent moisture and bright light. Pick it if you can provide the right growing conditions. Go for the more flexible and low-light tolerant peace lily if you want an unfussy houseplant.
Both plants offer graceful elegance and timeless beauty. Whether you pick a calla lily or peace lily, these classic flowering plants are sure to bring joy to your indoor or outdoor space.
Care and Maintenance: What Each Plant Needs
Caring for these plants involves understanding their specific needs. Lets break it down:
Peace Lily Care:
- Light: Prefers indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves.
- Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. They’re very forgiving, and if they need water, they’ll droop a little to let you know.
- High humidity: They like it that way, so misting or using a humidity tray can help.
- Temperature: Ideal temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F.
Calla Lily Care:
- Light: Can handle more direct sunlight, especially in cooler climates.
- Water: Likes soil that stays moist, but needs good drainage to keep roots from rotting.
- Even though they don’t need as much humidity as Peace Lilies, they do like it when it’s there.
- Temperature: They like it warm, between 60°F and 75°F.
Both plants require regular fertilization during their growing season but in moderation. Over-fertilizing can cause more harm than good.
Physical Appearance: Spotting the Differences
First off, lets talk about looks. The Peace Lily and the Calla Lily are both beautiful, but they have distinct features that set them apart.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): These plants are known for their glossy, deep green leaves and striking white spathes that are often mistaken for flowers. The actual flowers are small and found on the spike inside the spathes. The beautiful contrast between the dark leaves and white spathes makes them a popular choice for decorating inside.
If you compare this plant to the Zantedeschia, the Calla Lily has longer, arrow-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers that come in many colors, such as white, pink, yellow, and purple. Their flowers are often considered more showy and vibrant compared to the Peace Lilys.
So, if youre looking for something more subtle and elegant, the Peace Lily might be your go-to. But if youre after a burst of color and a more dramatic look, the Calla Lily could be the winner.
Calla Lily Care Guide – Picking, Placing, and Parenting Your Plant
FAQ
Is the peace lily the same as a calla lily?
What is the Peace Lily plant ? The Spathiphyllum Wallisii, more commonly known as the Calla Lily or Peace Lily, is one of the most popular houseplants in the world. Its luscious green leaves bring life to any room, and caring for the Peace Lily is very straightforward.
Can you keep a calla lily as a houseplant?
If you’ve just received a potted calla lily as a gift, they make wonderful houseplants. Here are a few tips for caring for callas indoors: Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light.
What is the difference between lily and calla lily?
Calla lilies and true lilies are distinct types of flowers, despite both being commonly called “lilies. “Calla lilies, in the genus Zantedeschia, are in the Araceae family, while real lilies are in the Liliaceae family.”
What’s the difference between a canna lily and a calla lily?
Even though they both have the word “lily” in their names, canna lilies and calla lilies are different plants with different looks, growth habits, and origins.