Growing Beautiful Cannas (Canna Lilies): The Complete Guide to Canna Flowers

Flashy and decorative, Canna Lilies are perennial flowers that bloom in the heat of July and August. Learn how to plant and grow cannas—plus, get instructions on deadheading, pruning, and overwintering.

About Cannas

Canna indica, or "Canna Lilies," are not actual lilies, as they are commonly called. This perennial flower is related to bananas and ginger! That's perhaps not surprising when you consider their huge, paddle-shaped leaves in those beautiful reds, oranges and bronzes.

They may look tropical, but several species of canna are native to the United States. The flowers are somewhat iris-like in shape. Their huge leaves curl and fold around the stems, tapering to delicate buds that open into large, rainbow-colored flowers all summer long, even in the scorching heat.

While bulbs are the correct name, cannas are not true bulbs (in the technical sense) as they are propagated from rhizomes, that is underground stems.

Also known as Indian shot, canna is a sun-tolerant tropical or subtropical herbaceous perennial that likes sun in zones 7-10. They grow up to 8 feet in one season.

Kannes can be both focal points and stylistic accents. Use them to introduce structure as a large border or to add depth to tight spaces. They add a colorful touch to garden and pool plants, bring a tropical touch to water features and thrive in wetlands (NOT saltwater). Mix cannas with grasses, lantana, zinnias, snapdragons, elephant ears, sage, evergreen and more.

Note: In zones 7 to 10, Canna plants can be left in the ground all winter. They will grow just as well in large pots brought out during the dormant period. In cool climates, cannas are easy to grow and store in the cooler months.

Plantation

Cannas require full sun for good flowering and consistently moist soil with a pH of about 6.0 – 6.5. If the pH of your garden soil is acidic, add lime before you plant. Place plants away from strong winds; their large, soft leaves are susceptible to damage.

When to plant Cannas

Cannas do not tolerate low temperatures. The soil must be 60ºF or warmer before planting rhizomes - this is often the time when people put tomatoes in the ground. For tomato planting dates, see our planting calendar. Dig a small hole 2 inches deep and insert a thermometer to determine the soil temperature.

In cold, short-season areas, plant Canna rhizomes in pots indoors or in a greenhouse, ready to transplant outdoors when the time is right.

How to plant Cannas

Other than growing them in rows up to 6 feet apart, the cannas need space enough to accommodate fertile rhizomes ongoing. Containers must be at least 18 inches in diameter (per rhizome).

• Loosen the soil before planting down to 1 foot and mix in 2 to 4 inches of compost.
• Burial should occur vertically with the eyes (bumps or nodules, which are growth buds) in the opening.
• Cover with 1 to 2 inches of soil. Tap firmly.
• Water thoroughly, then withhold water for up to three weeks and watch for signs of growth. Cannas are slow to sprout. After sprouting, water at least once a week by gradually wetting the area around the roots.
• Days warmer (59ºF or higher) allow for full leaf color to develop. Flowers should appear in 10 to 12 weeks.
• Canes should not be staked because they have strong, upright stems.

Growing Canna Lilly Process

• Cannas need wet soil. If the soil does not stay moist, provide a good watering once a week and every other day during the hottest weeks of summer - water freely during dry spells.
• Maintain a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture.
• If necessary, promise large varieties.
• Where the soil is fertile, manure is optional. However, canna is a great food and benefits from a slow fertilization at planting and twice during the growing season. Fish emulsion fertilizer, which has a little more nitrogen, is a useful organic alternative. Fertilizers with a high nitrogen content tend to increase Cannas height. They’re also suitable for rose or tomato food products.

Deadly cannas

• To encourage flowering, deadhead your Cannas every few days (i.e. remove spent flowers).
• For deadheading, use small garden shears or shears. Do not pinch with your fingers.
• A Canna stick has several flowers on a stem. Cut off only the dried flowers where they join the main stem, leaving the other spikes to continue blooming.
• When all the flowers on a Cannas spike have bloomed, you can cut off that part of the stem.

To Cut and Trim Cannas

After the whole plant has dried several times and the flowers stop coming, cut the flower stem down to the leaves.

Only at the end of the growing season should you cut the plant - at about 6 centimeters from the ground.

However, if the plant looks "dirty" or the leaves get sunburned, you can simply cut off the brown edges (like a haircut) or cut off the dead leaves at the end near the stem.

Be careful not to cut the main stem. If the stem is damaged, cut it to the ground.

You can see seed pods on your Cannas! These seed pods will produce more canna, so you can cut them off and put them right into the bottom of your canna; it may take a few years to get rid of it, but you will have more Canaan in the future.

How to store cannas for the winter

In zones 7/8 and warmer, cannas can be left in the ground year-round. After the frost kills the leaves, cut the plants back to 4 inches in the soil. Add a healthy layer of straw or leaf mulch in the fall to protect the rhizomes from the cold while the plants overwinter in place. (Note: Zone 7 doesn't always experience Cannas-chilling winter temperatures, so that's a judgment call.)

Cannas grown in pots overwinter indoors in a garage or basement. Keep them dry (do not water) until spring night temperatures are consistently above 50°F, usually after tulips bloom in northern areas. Only then do they move outside for the summer.

Raised in the ground in the fall and brought for the winter, cannas must be dug (raised) in zones 6 or lower. After cutting the Cannas (as above), dig up the rice with a shovel. Avoid damaging the rhizomes by digging about 1 meter from the stem. Gently loosen the soil with your hands and remove the lump. Shake off the soil and cut off all the leaves. Divide the bunch into 3 to 5 rhizomes, each with eyes.

Leave the rhizomes in the sun or in a garage or closet for a few days to harden them and help them resist rotting. Wrap each rhizome in newspaper or a paper bag, along with a small amount of dry growth, such as peat moss, to absorb moisture and prevent rotting. The rhizomes must not touch each other.

Store the cans over the winter in a dry place where the temperature does not fall below 40º. It is often a basement, attic or garage. Check the rhizomes several times during the winter to make sure they are not drying out. If necessary, cover with a little water. If you find rot, remove it or spoil the entire rhizome.

If spring night temperatures are consistently above 50°F, replant outdoors. Make sure that each cutting piece has at least one eye; new leaves will grow from it. Flowers should appear in 10 to 12 weeks.

Beautiful Cannas (Canna Lilies) Types

• 'City of Portland': 4 to 5 feet tall; green leaves with coral pink flowers.
• Husband's Cannas: 5 to 8 feet tall; green leaves with deep rose-pink flowers.
• 'Pretoria', also known as Bengal tiger: 4 to 6 feet tall; colored yellow-green striped leaves with orange flowers.
• 'Futurity Red': Average 2 to 4 feet tall; burgundy leaves with crimson flowers; Self-cleaning (discard spent flowers).
• 'Toucan Yellow': 21/2 to 4 feet tall; deep green leaves with golden yellow flowers.
• For large cannas, Canna Tropicanna® is a popular choice. Growing 4 to 6 feet tall, 'Tropicanna'® offers tangerine, iris-like flowers and exotic bronze foliage. Plant in the back of your garden bed or large container for a dramatic look on your porch or patio.
• A medium-sized jewel is 'Los Angeles', which has large, deep pink flowers and opens so you can see the face. Growing 4 to 5 meters tall, this canna blooms from June to August.
• As well as medium to large Cannas, you'll find smaller "dwarf" sizes and dramatic "giant" sizes!
• Dwarf cannas are 2 to 4 feet tall and are easy to accommodate in our less modern gardens. 'Picasso' is a real eye-catcher with bright yellow flowers and deep red leopard-like spots; they bloom from July to frost. 'Wyoming' has dark red stems and lush orange flowers that liven up a peaceful bed from mid-summer to frost.
• Interested in a giant canna? One of the most popular is "Musifolia", which grows up to 8 feet! With 3-foot-long red-veined leaves and red flowers, it makes a statement.

 

Harvest

To create an indoor arrangement with a tropical feel, cut canna flower stems. Although the flowers themselves only last a day or two, their foliage makes a stunning backdrop in many bouquets.

Intelligence and wisdom

• Bright canna flowers can attract hummingbirds.
• The name "Canna" comes from the Greek word kanna, which means "reed" or a reed-like plant.
• During the Victorian era, gardeners loved cannas so much that they grew them from seed, but it's not easy. The germination rate is low and the seeds must be ground or placed in an acid bath to break their hard coat.
• Canna seeds, perfectly round and hard like BB balls, were used in jewelry, prayer beads and baby toys.
• Canna has been a food crop of man in Central and South America for thousands of years. The rhizomes are edible; Leaves are used as fodder when food is scarce.

Pests/diseases

• Cannas are rarely disturbed by deer and are not susceptible to diseases. Rust, fungal leaf spot, bacterial bud rot and bacterial rot can occur if cannas are kept too wet and crowded.
• Cannas rarely have problems with pests, although caterpillars nibble the leaves. Slugs, slugs, spider mites and caterpillars are the most common causes.

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