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Calla Lily #946369

Asked October 02, 2026, 1:39 PM EDT

I recieved a Calla lily as a gift that was delivered by a florist. I have kept it in the house for the last couple years, eventually the leaves died. This Spring, I planted the bulbs outside to see if they would grow. Nothing happened all summer. While I was bringing in my Glads, I noticed that there is life where I planted the Calla. My question is: do I bring it in or can it winter outside in southern Minn.?

Freeborn County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Linda,

Calla lilies aren’t hardy here and will die in a freeze. You need to overwinter them in the house.

Here’s a guide to keeping the bulbs over the winter:

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/storing-tender-bulbs-for-winter/

Thanks for the question. 

MJ Replied October 02, 2026, 5:40 PM EDT
Thank you for responding so fast.  Since it just started growing, could I just pot it and see if it blooms this winter?
It has been dormant for quite awhile, I thought it was a goner.
Would it need fertilizer?  Should I put it out in the garden next spring, or keep it as a houseplant?

On Fri, Oct 2, 2026 at 4:40 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied October 02, 2026, 6:50 PM EDT

The important thing is to get the bulb back on schedule for winter dormancy. It won’t flower until it has another rest period.

The bulb will suffer in temperatures lower than 40 degrees, so bring it inside as soon as possible. You could let the leaves grow for awhile (leaves feed the bulb) and then pull the bulb, let the leaves dry up and store the bulb in a dark, cool and dry place. Temperatures around 50 degrees would be ideal. Then in spring you can replant it outside or pot it up and grow it inside or outside.

MJ Replied October 02, 2026, 7:13 PM EDT

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