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Calla lily plants can be split to propagate new plants and keep them healthy.
Splitting calla lily plants is a great way to rejuvenate your garden and add more of these elegant flowers around your home without buying new bulbs.
If you’ve been wondering whether you can split calla lily plants and how to do it properly, this post will give you all the answers you need.
We’ll explore why and when to split calla lily plants, the best methods for splitting, how to care for divided plants, and some common tips to ensure success.
Let’s dig into how you can split calla lily plants and grow your collection with healthy new starts.
Why You Can and Should Split Calla Lily Plants
Calla lily plants can be split because they grow from rhizomes—thick, fleshy root structures that expand underground to produce new shoots.
This means splitting calla lily plants is a natural way to propagate by dividing the rhizomes and planting them separately.
1. Calla Lilies Grow Rhizomes That Multiply
Calla lilies grow underground rhizomes that send up shoots every year.
These rhizomes naturally multiply as the plant matures, sometimes becoming crowded and reducing flowering.
Splitting calla lily plants helps separate these rhizomes into smaller, manageable clumps.
2. Splitting Improves Plant Health and Flowering
When calla lily plants get too crowded, the flowers can decrease and the overall vigor of the plant drops.
By splitting and replanting the rhizomes, you reduce competition for nutrients and water, resulting in healthier plants and better blossoms.
3. Propagation without Buying New Bulbs
Splitting calla lily plants is an economical way to get more plants for your garden.
Instead of buying new bulbs or rhizomes, you can use division to propagate successfully.
This is especially useful if you love your current calla lilies and want to expand their presence.
4. Prevents Disease and Decay
Older, crowded rhizomes can develop rot or disease, which risk spreading throughout the plant.
Splitting calla lily plants removes unhealthy parts and promotes a fresh start with healthy rhizomes.
When and How to Split Calla Lily Plants
Knowing when to split calla lily plants and how to do it properly ensures your new plant divisions thrive.
1. Best Time to Split Calla Lily Plants
The best time to split calla lily plants is in early spring or late fall when the plant is dormant or just starting to grow.
Splitting during dormancy minimizes stress on the plant and gives divisions time to grow roots before flowering.
Avoid splitting during the peak growing or blooming season, as this can shock the plants.
2. Preparing the Plant for Splitting
Before splitting, carefully dig around the plant to lift the rhizomes out of the soil.
Gently shake off soil to reveal the rhizomes and assess their size and health.
Use a clean, sharp knife or garden shears to divide the rhizomes into sections, each with at least one growth eye or bud.
3. How to Split the Rhizomes
Cut through the thick rhizomes, separating the plant into smaller clumps.
Try to avoid cutting into the eyes or buds, as these are the growth points for new shoots.
Discard any soft, rotten, or damaged rhizome parts to prevent spreading disease.
4. Replanting the Divided Rhizomes
Plant each division about 3 to 4 inches deep in well-draining soil.
Space the new plants at least 12 to 18 inches apart to give them room to grow.
Water the divisions well after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
How to Care for Split Calla Lily Plants
Proper care after splitting ensures your calla lily plants establish well and bloom beautifully.
1. Watering and Soil Conditions
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Calla lilies prefer rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Overwatering can cause rhizome rot, so ensure good drainage while maintaining adequate hydration.
2. Sunlight Requirements
Calla lilies thrive in full sun to partial shade.
After splitting, place your new plants where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade for best results.
3. Fertilization
Feed the newly divided calla lily plants with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Fertilizer rich in phosphorus encourages strong root growth and abundant flowering.
Follow package directions to avoid over-fertilization, which can harm your plants.
4. Mulching to Retain Moisture
Add a layer of mulch around newly planted calla lily divisions to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Organic mulch like shredded bark or compost also adds nutrients as it decomposes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Splitting Calla Lily Plants
Avoiding common mistakes helps your calla lily splits survive and flourish.
1. Splitting When the Plant is Actively Blooming
Splitting calla lily plants during peak bloom stresses the plant and may reduce flowering for the season.
Stick to splitting during dormancy or early growth for best success.
2. Cutting Rhizomes Without Eyes or Buds
When splitting, each division must have at least one growth eye or bud to develop into a new plant.
Without this, the section won’t grow.
3. Poor Soil and Drainage
Planting divisions in clay soil or poorly draining spots can cause rhizomes to rot quickly.
Always use soil amended for drainage and avoid low-lying, soggy areas.
4. Overwatering Post-Planting
While calla lilies like moisture, too much water after splitting can drown roots and lead to fungal issues.
Water just enough to keep soil moist until new growth starts.
5. Not Cleaning Tools
Using unclean cutting tools spreads disease between plants.
Always sterilize knives or shears before dividing calla lily rhizomes.
So, Can You Split Calla Lily Plants?
Yes, you can split calla lily plants, and it’s an effective way to propagate and maintain healthy, vibrant lilies.
Splitting calla lily plants by dividing their rhizomes during dormancy or early growth ensures they thrive and produce beautiful blooms year after year.
Remember to handle the rhizomes carefully, plant them in well-draining soil, and provide proper care after splitting to maximize your success.
By splitting calla lily plants, you can expand your garden with these graceful flowers without the expense of buying new bulbs.
So if your calla lilies are crowded, slow to bloom, or you just want more plants, splitting is the way to go.
Now get ready to enjoy a garden full of stunning calla lilies through simple splitting and a little TLC.