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Calla lilies should be harvested when their blooms are fully developed but before they begin to wilt.
Harvesting calla lilies at the right time ensures you get the freshest, most beautiful flowers for arranging or gifting.
In this post, we will dive into how to harvest calla lilies properly, including the best timing, techniques, and care tips to extend their vase life.
If you want to enjoy your calla lilies at their peak and make the most of this stunning flower, keep reading to learn all the essentials on how to harvest calla lilies.
When to Harvest Calla Lilies
Knowing when to harvest calla lilies is key to getting flowers that last longer and look their best.
1. Harvest When Spathes Fully Open
Calla lily flowers, also called spathes, should be harvested once they are fully open and vibrant.
This stage is when the flower trumpet is fully developed, with a smooth, unfurled look.
If you pick calla lilies too early, the bloom won’t be fully formed and may not reach its full beauty.
If you wait too long, the flowers will start to yellow or wilt, reducing their appeal.
2. Early Morning or Late Evening Harvesting
The best time to harvest calla lilies is early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
Harvesting when it’s cool helps keep the flower stems crisp and reduces stress on the plant.
Avoid harvesting during the heat of the day to prevent wilting.
3. Check for Color and Firmness
When figuring out how to harvest calla lilies, look for vibrant colors—pure whites, deep purples, or bright yellows depending on your variety.
The spathe should feel firm and slightly waxy to the touch, not soft or slimy.
Flowers that meet this description are perfect candidates for harvesting.
How to Harvest Calla Lilies Properly
Once you know when to harvest calla lilies, mastering the right picking technique is just as important.
1. Use Sharp, Clean Tools
Always use sharp pruning shears or garden scissors when harvesting calla lilies.
Clean tools reduce the risk of damaging the stems or infecting the plant with diseases.
A clean, sharp cut ensures a smooth stem end that can better absorb water.
2. Cut at an Angle
When you cut calla lilies, do so at a 45-degree angle about 4 to 6 inches from the base of the flower.
Cutting at an angle increases the surface area of the stem, allowing more water uptake.
An angled cut also helps prevent the stem from sitting flat against the bottom of your vase, which can block water absorption.
3. Harvest Individual Flowers or Clusters
You can harvest calla lilies as single stems or cut entire clusters depending on your arrangement needs.
If harvesting several flowers at once, make sure each stem follows the same cutting guidelines.
4. Handle with Care
Calla lily spathes and stems can bruise easily, especially when wet.
Gently handle the flowers during and after harvest to avoid damaging the petals or marring their beautiful glossy finish.
Post-Harvest Care to Keep Calla Lilies Fresh
How to harvest calla lilies doesn’t end with cutting them; caring for the flowers after harvest is essential.
1. Immediate Water Placement
Place your harvested calla lilies immediately into clean, fresh water.
This helps the stems stay hydrated and prevents wilting.
If you need to delay arranging or transporting, keep them in a cool, shaded place with their stems in water.
2. Remove Lower Leaves
Before placing calla lilies in a vase, remove any leaves that would fall below the water line.
Submerged leaves can decay and cause bacterial growth, shortening the flower’s lifespan.
3. Change Water Regularly
For cut calla lilies, changing the vase water every two days helps prevent bacteria buildup.
Use lukewarm water, as it encourages better water absorption than cold water.
4. Trim Stems Regularly
Every couple of days, re-cut the stems at an angle to keep the ends fresh and open for water uptake.
This simple step can significantly prolong the vase life of your calla lilies.
5. Keep Flowers Cool
Avoid placing calla lilies near direct sunlight, heating vents, or ripening fruit (which emits ethylene gas).
Cool temperatures slow down flower aging and help calla lilies stay fresh longer.
Common Mistakes When Harvesting Calla Lilies
Learning how to harvest calla lilies includes knowing what not to do.
1. Harvesting Too Early or Too Late
Cutting flowers too early means blooms won’t fully open and will look immature.
Harvesting too late results in wilted, browning spathes, which don’t last well indoors.
2. Using Dull or Dirty Tools
Dull cutters crush the stems rather than making a clean cut, reducing water uptake.
Dirty tools can transfer diseases to your plants, damaging future flowers.
3. Failing to Hydrate Immediately
Allowing calla lilies to dry out after cutting stresses the flower and shortens vase life.
Always place stems in clean water right after harvesting.
4. Not Removing Leaves Below Water
Leaves submerged in water rot quickly and promote bacteria growth, leading to stem blockages.
This common mistake speeds up flower wilting.
5. Ignoring the Temperature
Calla lilies don’t like heat after harvest.
Keeping them in warm or sunny spots accelerates aging and causes petals to droop and discolor.
So, How to Harvest Calla Lilies?
Harvesting calla lilies properly means cutting the flowers when the spathes are fully open but still fresh.
Use sharp, clean tools to make angled cuts in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.
Handle the flowers gently, place them immediately in water, and practice good post-harvest care by trimming stems, changing water regularly, and keeping them cool.
Avoid common mistakes like harvesting too early or too late, using dull tools, or leaving leaves underwater to enjoy beautiful, long-lasting calla lily bouquets.
Mastering how to harvest calla lilies not only extends their vase life but also lets you savor the elegance and charm these flowers bring to any setting.
Happy harvesting!