Zantedeschia albomaculata aka Spotted Calla Lily

Zantedeschia albomaculata is known as spotted calla or spotted arum lily. It belongs to the arum family, Araceae. Its native range stretches from Nigeria to Tanzania and South Africa. It grows in regions with a seasonally dry tropical climate. This tender perennial stores growth below ground and loses its leaves. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant forms a clump of partly upright leaves. Each leaf has an arrow shape and white spots. Leaves can reach about 1.5 feet (0.45 metres) long. Garden plants reach 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) in height and spread. They take two to five years to reach full size. The spotted foliage gives the plant interest before flowers appear. Its low, clump-forming shape suits pots and seasonal bedding displays.

Flowers appear in summer, above the leafy clump. Each has a showy spathe around a yellow spadix. Spathes may be white, cream, pale yellow, or pale pink. A purple patch marks the inner base of each spathe. These spathes can reach about 0.4 feet (0.12 metres) long. The pale flower colours contrast with the spotted green leaves. Growers can raise new plants from seed or divide established clumps.

Give this plant full sun in a sheltered site. It grows in sandy or loamy soil that drains well. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils are all suitable. For pots, use a peat-free compost based on loam. Water freely during growth, keeping the compost moist without poor drainage. Apply a balanced liquid feed every two to three weeks. Winter dormancy calls for little or no water. After the leaves die back, move plants somewhere dry and frost-free. A dark storage place is preferred until spring. The RHS rates it H1C, suitable for summer outdoors in Britain.

Use it in patio pots, bedding, greenhouses, or conservatories. It can also grow as a houseplant. Remove fading flowers by pulling each whole stem from its base. The RHS reports few disease problems, though glasshouse red spider mites may attack. Eating the plant can harm both people and pets. Contact can also irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves and other protection when handling it.