Calla Lily Strange Leaf

Question

I bought a new calla lily and one of the leaves is correctly shaped, but has the colouring of the flower. Is this a leaf that didn’t correctly become a leaf or a flower? I have one in yellow that has done this and one in pink. Thank You.

Answer 1

Calla lily is an interesting plant, biologically speaking. The “flowers” are really modified leaves that curl around the true, and inconspicuous, real flower. It sounds like a few leaves missed curling into the tubular flower. I don’t know why that would occur but if it persists, you’ll need to replace them because they are defective. Whether this is the result of herbicide damage or diseased tuber/rhizome, I don’t know. Calla with solid-colored leaves like lots of moisture – almost boggy conditions. Those with speckled leaves like moist soil but not as wet as their cousins. I’d love to see a picture!