Calla Lily: Agrotechnology

Calla lilies are popular floriculture plants which are in demand for their exotic blooms, glossy foliage and used both as cut flowers as well as flowering potted plants. Calla lilies can be used as cut-flowers, potted plants and also as landscape plants for bog gardens. Cala lilies are suitable for open cultivation under low and mid hills.

Market potential

Trade of Calla lilies in the Indian market is currently estimated at Rs.150 crores with an annual growth of 20%. Major producers of Calla lily are New Zealand, United States, Kenya and Taiwan.

Calla lily varieties developed by CSIR-IHBT (Societal relevance Agrotechnology)

Two cultivars of Calla lilies, representing species of commercial importance Zantedeschia elliottiana (Him Sumukh) and Z. aethiopica (Him Shweta) were developed through hybridization and selection approach. Him sumukh has yellow trumpet shaped blooms, while Him Shweta is evergreen with white flowers. These cultivars are vigorous in growth and suitable for open field cultivation in low and mid hills, under protected/ partial shade conditions in plains and as per the flower colour preference in the market.

Vase life of cut flowers is more than 10 days

CSIR-IHBT provides

• Planting material
• Training on agro-technology practices