[Indoor plants](https://dunger.ua/en/blog/categories/indoor-plants) # How to care for a potted calla indoors, through growth and dormancy Published 2026-11-08 Updated 2026-11-08 To read 7 min Care for a calla indoors, know when to reduce watering and distinguish dormancy from root trouble. A potted calla can lose its flowers and remain healthy. Some zantedeschias keep growing after flowering, while others gradually lose their leaves and go dormant. To decide when to water or repot, look at the label, the foliage and the moisture inside the pot. A healthy green plant and a leafless rhizome need different care. ## What to check when you bring a calla home - Whether the label gives a species, cultivar or Zantedeschia group. - Whether the pot has drainage holes and whether water is standing in the outer pot. - Whether new leaves are forming or older ones are fading gradually. - Whether the pot is close to cold glass, a radiator or strong heat from the sun. - How moist the growing mix is below the surface where the roots are. ## Identify the kind of calla you are growing Several species and hybrids of Zantedeschia are sold as indoor callas. Zantedeschia aethiopica is usually larger, often has white spathes and prefers more moisture during growth. Tender compact hybrids are often sold already flowering in pots. They come in many colours and are more sensitive to cold and excess water, particularly once the leaves have died back. Colour alone does not identify a calla, since some compact hybrids also have pale flowers. If there is no name, keep photographs of the flowers, foliage and label or ask the seller. While the type is uncertain, keep a plant with green leaves out of a dark cupboard and do not leave the pot standing in water. When the foliage changes, make a note of whether the leaves yellow gradually after flowering or the whole plant loses its firmness suddenly. ## Light and temperature at home Give an actively growing calla a bright place where the pot does not overheat and the leaves do not rest on very cold glass. In a flat with a south-facing window, direct midday sun can heat the pot considerably. A light curtain can reduce heat while preserving brightness. If a neighbouring building shades a window, the distance from the glass can make more difference to the plant than the direction the window faces. When the heating comes on, check how quickly the mix dries near a radiator. On an enclosed balcony in Ukraine, daytime sun may warm the air, while temperatures drop sharply at night. Keep a tender hybrid indoors while there is a risk of frost. If you move it to a balcony for the warm season, introduce it to brighter light gradually and choose a spot out of strong wind. ## How to water a calla in a pot ### When it has green leaves and new growth Keep the mix evenly moist during active growth. Feel beneath the surface and lift the pot to compare its weight with what it weighs after watering. If the mix is still moist, wait and check again. When it needs water, moisten the root ball and let excess water drain out. If the inner pot sits in a decorative cover, empty any water before putting the plant back. A small pot by a bright window dries at a different rate from a large one in shade, even at the same room temperature. After repotting, check moisture close to the old root ball and near the pot wall where the new mix sits. The top can be dry while the centre remains wet. Before buying a mix, it helps to understand [how potting mix differs from soil in a flower bed](https://dunger.ua/en/blog/soil-for-flower-beds-and-pots). ### When a tender hybrid is entering dormancy In many tender hybrids, leaves gradually yellow and die back after flowering. Reduce watering as growth slows and pause feeding. Once the leaves have died, keep the rhizome in drier, frost-free conditions suited to its type. Leave green leaves in place after the spathes have faded. A plant that is still growing does not need a dry rest simply because of the month. If you keep the rhizome in its pot, label the cultivar, the last time it was watered and where it is stored. This helps prevent watering it along with plants that are still growing. Inspect it occasionally without disturbing it unnecessarily. A soft stem base, an unusual smell and a mix that stays wet call for a closer check, especially if the foliage droops suddenly. ## Tell a dormant plant from one with a root problem Consider how quickly the changes appeared. After flowering, a tender hybrid may lose its leaves one at a time while the base stays firm. If nearly all the leaves wilted in a short period and water is standing in the outer pot, empty the cover and inspect the pot. A heavy, wet root ball means there is no reason to add water now. A very light pot with dry mix and active leaves deserves a different check. Compare several leaves. Natural pale flecks are normal in certain cultivars and can be present on healthy foliage. Photograph new soft patches or darkening that spreads towards the stem base. One pale spot cannot tell you what is wrong. If growth is declining and drainage is poor, look at the roots and rhizome while you can still correct the growing conditions. ## Repotting and returning to growth Choose a container with holes and a mix that holds some moisture while allowing air to reach the roots. If the plant is flowering and otherwise healthy, check whether it needs immediate repotting. See whether water moves through the mix, whether the roots have room and whether the mix has compacted. For a routine repot of a growing plant, keep it at its previous level. For a loose rhizome, confirm planting depth with the directions for that type and planting material. - Prepare a clean pot and make sure the drainage holes are clear. - Place the buds upwards when planting a loose rhizome. - Put it in a warm, bright place and water sparingly until new shoots appear. - Check moisture more often as the foliage increases and water when needed. Before a trip, avoid setting the pot in a constantly full basin. Check whether it is growing, learn how quickly its mix dries and give the person caring for it a clear sign that watering is due. Test any system for several pots while you are at home first. The guide to [automatic watering for houseplants](https://dunger.ua/en/blog/automatic-watering-houseplants) covers points to check before you rely on it. When buying a dormant rhizome rather than a flowering plant, ask how it has been stored and when to plant it. Inspect it after delivery without soaking it, and keep the label until the leaves emerge. This helps you match what the plant is doing to the guidance for its group before you see any flowers. For an established potted plant, start by checking the root ball and asking how the pot was kept at the shop. After moving the plant to another pot, keep a photograph and note when you watered. New leaves unfolding while older ones remain firm are a useful sign of recovery. If you keep needing to water, check that the root ball gets moist rather than letting the water run down the sides. Assess the middle of the pot and make changes gradually. ## Feeding healthy houseplants during growth  ### [Complex fertilizer for house plants](https://dunger.ua/en/mineral-fertilizers/small-packaging/for-landscape-design/16-complex-fertilizer-for-house-plants) If the calla is in active growth, has healthy roots and its care directions allow a general root feed for houseplants, consider the DÜNGER water-soluble concentrate. Check suitability against the guidance for your plant, especially if you do not know which Zantedeschia you have. Hold off if the root ball is dry, stays saturated, has damaged roots or the plant is entering dormancy. The 0.5 L bottle holds concentrate. Check the name and volume before buying and read this product’s full directions before using it. If you recently repotted, check the new mix label as it may already contain nutrients. Avoid combining fertilizers, and let the condition of the plant guide the decision after its flowers fade. [Plan the growing zone in My Garden](https://dunger.ua/en/my-garden) ## Frequently asked questions ### Look at the leaves and any new shoots. If growth continues and the foliage is firm, keep checking and watering the mix as needed. If a tender hybrid yellows gradually and goes dormant, taper off watering. Sudden wilting in a wet pot is a reason to check the roots. ### ### ### ## Rate this article No ratings yet. Be the first! Rate this article ## Discussion(0) This discussion is shared across all article languages. 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