The swamp calla lily, also called dragon root, is very undemanding and easy to care for. If you create the optimal conditions for the perennial plant, it will thrive.
The marsh calla (Calla palustris) is ideal for planting at the edge of a pond. It has shiny, yellow-green to dark green leaves and elegant flowers. The swamp plant is also known as dragonroot, snakeroot, snakewort and pig's ear.
The flowers consist of a yellow inflorescence and a white bract. Although they are similar to those of the calla, both plant species only have the name in common. Another distinguishing feature is the bright red berries that form after flowering.
So that the plant develops magnificently, you have to pay attention to a few things both when planting and when caring for them.
Short profile of the swamp calla / dragon root
| Sumpfcalla / Drachenwurz (Calla palustris) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | decumbent to ascending, rhizomatous |
| Growth: | 10 - 20 cm |
| Growth: | 20 - 30 cm |
| Usage: | swampy water edge, shallow water |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | Rich in humus and nutrients, moderately acidic to neutral |
Plant Sumpcalla at the best location
Dragonwort thrives at the edge of a pond and on any other soil that is permanently wet. She can stand in water just as well. The prerequisite is that it is a still body of water. Running water damages the roots.
The plant tolerates a water level of five to ten centimeters without any problems. If it is well rooted, it can still grow magnificently in deeper water. A sunny environment is ideal, but marsh callas will also thrive in partial shade.
A nutrient-rich, humus-rich, boggy soil is optimal. The pH should be moderately acidic to neutral and rich in nutrients. If you create and plant your garden pond freshly, you can affect the living conditions of the plantsTake care. In general, however, the swamp calla is considered undemanding.
As a rule, the swamp calla lily grows well if you just lay it on the wet ground. But it doesn't hurt if you carefully dig the rhizomes into the ground.
Watering and fertilizing: superfluous with dragon root!
At the edge of the pond, the plant always has enough moisture available. You don't need to fertilize either - the right nutrients are formed automatically in standing water. If you plant the swamp calla farther away from the water, the soil should still be moist. Here you can help out with the watering can during very long dry periods.
A look at the roots
The swamp calla forms thick, tortuous rhizomes. The shape of the creeping roots is responsible for the names snakeroot and snakewort. The plant slowly wanders around with its roots. The rhizomes form new shoots at the front, the rear end dies off. This looks like the rootstock is rotting at one end. Don't do anything, the plant is thriving!
If the "rotten" root section bothers you, you can cut it off. But beware, dragonroot is poisonous. Contact with the roots can cause skin irritation. Also make sure that children do not get too close to the pond plant - the red berries in particular look edible, but they are inedible to the point of poisonous!