One of the most beautiful plants that exist and that brighten up any space are the water lilies or calla lilies. This plant is originally from southern Africa, although today it is widespread both in southern regions of Europe and in Australia and America. It is a plant that is grown as an ornamental plant since, in fact, it would be a toxic plant if it were consumed by humans or animals. They are usually marketed in the form of bouquets of flowers already cut, although it can also be found as a whole plant. If you want to know the care of the water lily, keep reading and we will tell you about it.
Water lily care
The water lily , whose scientific name is Zantedeschia aethiopica , and which is also known as cala, alcatraz, or Moses’ cradle plant , is a plant that needs specific care for it to be healthy and flourish. When this is not the case, the most common is that the plant does not die, but it does not flower, which causes it to lose much of its attractiveness.
One of the first care that we have to take into account when it comes to the water lily or calla lily is that it is a shade plant. That is, it is important to avoid direct sunlight, both on its leaves and its flowers. A place with plenty of ambient light is best , but not direct sunlight. For example, near a window oriented so that it does not receive direct sunlight.
Regarding irrigation, it must be said that it is a plant that needs plenty of water , so it is recommended to water it at least a couple of times a day. It is essential to prevent the substrate from drying out, since it is a plant that does not tolerate drought.
The ideal temperature for the water lily or gannet is around 20 degrees Celsius. However, it is a plant that tolerates lower temperatures without too many problems. This means that they can survive the coldest temperatures, but not look healthy, so it is best to ensure that they always have a temperature close to this figure.
It is advisable to pay it once or twice a year with an organic fertilizer . For this, the best dates are early spring and late summer.
Meaning of the water lily
The water lily or Zantedeschia aethiopica is a plant that is associated with different meanings, most of them associated with purity and spirituality . In fact, it is a plant whose flowers are generally used to decorate graves on All Souls’ Day in Latin America and other parts of the world.
However, its perhaps best known meaning is that associated with the story of Moses . According to tradition, Moses was floating on the Nile River in a basket waterproofed with mud and tar where his mother had deposited him to save himself from the persecution that Pharaoh had ordered against the children of the Hebrews. However, when it was floating on the waters of the Nile, the basket was stranded on a river bank, right where Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing and found it. From there, the Egyptian princess adopted the baby and raised him as her own child.
Likewise, according to tradition, the plants that grew on the banks of the Nile and where little Moses ‘basket just ran aground would be water lilies, which later would earn this plant the name of Moses’ cradle plant. From this story, the water lily or cradle plant of Moses took on the meaning of purity and salvation that it still retains today.
Why does my water lily have yellow leaves
One of the most common problems with the Moses crib plant is that its leaves turn yellowish . When this happens, the most normal thing is that the problem is due to a lack of water or an excess of cold. As we have mentioned, the water lily is a plant that needs plenty of water and temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. When these conditions are not met, the most normal thing is for the plant to survive, but to do so in worse conditions. The first sign that these conditions are not suitable for the water lily is that its leaves turn yellow. In these cases, it is best to move it to a warmer location and increase watering to ensure that the plant has everything it needs to regain its natural vigor.
