Learn How To Plant, Care And Grow Splendid Canna Lilies

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  3. Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Canna Lilies
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Canna Lilies

Canna Lilies, Indian Shots, Canna indica, Canada x generalis

Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Canna Rhizomes, Canna Tubers, Planting Cannas, Caring for Cannas, Growing Cannas, Canna Care Facebook Twitter pinterest email print plus

Often grown for their dramatic foliage – large banana-like leaves – Cannas are vibrant tender perennials that provide a strong ornamental interest and immediately give a touch of the tropics in the garden or containers. Impossibly exotic, they bloom prolifically from mid-summer to the first frost in a flamboyant array of colors varying from red, orange, yellow, pink, or cream. Their architectural shapes and eye-catching colors make them perfect for planting as focal plants or massed to create a tropical effect. Easy to grow, they stand proud and bold provided some basic rules are respected.

1. Choose The Right Rhizomes (or Tubers)

  • Choose rhizomes that are large, firm, and plump.
  • The number of eyes (growth points) of the rhizomes is highly correlated to the overall size of the plant and its blossoms. The more eyes, the bigger the plant and the more spectacular the flowers.
  • The optimum number of eyes should be 3-5.

Guide Information

Plant Type Annuals, Bulbs, Perennials
Genus Canna
Canna ‘Lucifer’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Firebird', Indian Shot 'Firebird', Canna Lily 'Firebird', Canna indica 'Lucifer', Canna × ehemanii 'Lucifer', Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Red Canna Lilies, Red Canna Lilies
Canna ‘Lucifer’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘Musifolia’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Musifolia', Indian Shot 'Musifolia', Cana Lily Musifolia,  Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Orange Canna Lilies, Giant CannaAGM Award
Canna ‘Musifolia’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘Phasion’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Phasion', Indian Shot 'Phasion', Cana Lily Phasion,  Canna 'Durban', Canna 'Tropicanna', Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Orange Canna Lilies,AGM Award
Canna ‘Phasion’ (Canna Lily)
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2. Select The Right Site

  • Best flowering occurs in full sun in organically rich, moist, and well-drained soils. Canna lilies will survive in the shade, but the best flower production is obtained in full sun – except in hotter climates where part shade will enable the flowers to last longer.
  • Choose a sheltered spot and soil that has been improved by digging in well-rotted manure or garden compost.
Canna ‘Ambassadour’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Ambassadour', Indian Shot 'Ambassadour', Cana Lily Ambassadour, Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, White Canna Lilies, White flowers
Canna ‘Ambassadour’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘City Of Portland’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'City Of Portland', Indian Shot 'City Of Portland', Cana Lily City Of Portland, Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Salmon Canna Lilies
Canna ‘City Of Portland’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘Richard Wallace’ (Canna Lily) Canna Richard Wallace, Indian Shot Richard Wallace, Canna Lily 'Richard Wallace', Canna 'Canary Bird', Canna 'King Midas', Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Yellow Canna Lilies, Yellow Flowers
Canna ‘Richard Wallace’ (Canna Lily)
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3. Planting Your Canna Lilies

  • Canna rhizomes can be planted from spring (after all danger of frost has passed) through early summer. They may be started indoors as early as a month before the average last frost date (for earlier blooms) or planted directly in the ground after the danger of frost has passed.
  • As they come from tropical and subtropical regions, cannas are heat-loving plants. If conditions are cool or soil temperature is cold, delay the planting until the soil has warmed to at least 65°F (18°C).
  • Plant your canna rhizomes 4 in. deep (10 cm).
  • Planting distance varies with the size of your canna plants. Dwarf cannas (less than 18 in. tall) should be spaced 18 in. apart (45 cm), medium and standard cultivars about 2 ft. (60 cm), and tall vigorous canna varieties (over 5ft. tall) about 3ft. (90 cm).
  • Set the canna rhizome with the growing tips facing up. Cover the rhizome with soil and water as needed. Mulch to keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture.
Canna ‘Cleopatra’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Cleopatra', Indian Shot 'Cleopatra', Canna Lily 'Cleopatra', Canna 'Yellow Humbert', Canna 'Spanish Emblem', Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Yellow Canna Lilies, Red Canna Lilies, Bicolor Canna Lilies
Canna ‘Cleopatra’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘Erebus’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Erebus', Indian Shot 'Erebus', Canna Lily 'Erebus', Water Canna 'Erebus', Aquatic Canna Lily 'Erebus', Canna glauca 'Erebus', Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Coral Canna Lilies,Coral flowers, Pink Canna, Pink flowersAGM Award
Canna ‘Erebus’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘Picasso’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Picasso', Indian Shot 'Picasso', Cana Lily Picasso,  Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Yellow Canna Lilies, Tiger Canna, Yellow flowers, Bicolor flowers, Bicolor CannasAGM Award
Canna ‘Picasso’ (Canna Lily)
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4. Aftercare

  • Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, and do not allow the soil to dry out. After flowering, you may reduce watering.
  • Cannas are greedy feeders. Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer at planting time and a liquid feed every 4 weeks during the growing season to promote vigorous growth and flowering..
  • Deadhead Cannas throughout the growing season to keep them blooming for as long as possible. When a flowering spike has no more buds, it can be removed with shears or a sharp knife down to the next side shoot, where another flowering spike will emerge. Usually, canna produces 2-4 spikes per stem. When the stem is entirely spent, it can be removed from the base (usually at the end of the season).
Canna ‘Apricot Dream’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Apricot Dream', Indian Shot 'Apricot Dream', Cana Lily Apricot Dream, Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Apricot Canna Lilies, Apricot Flowers, Salmon Canna Lilies, Salmon Flowers
Canna ‘Apricot Dream’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘Pretoria’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Pretoria', Cana Lily 'Pretoria', Indian Shot 'Pretoria', Canna Malawiensis 'Variegata', Canna 'Striata', Canna 'Bengal Tiger', Canna Pretoria 'Bengal Tiger', Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Orange Canna LiliesAGM Award
Canna ‘Pretoria’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna ‘Toucan Dark Orange’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Toucan Dark Orange', Indian Shot 'Toucan Dark Orange', Cana Lily 'Toucan Dark Orange, Canna Lily Canna lilies, Orange Canna Lilies, Red Canna Lilies
Canna ‘Toucan Dark Orange’ (Canna Lily)
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5. Overwintering

  • Most canna lilies are winter hardy in zones 8-11, so in these warm climates, the rhizomes can be left right in the ground. If you live in a colder area and you want to save your rhizomes for next spring, you may dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next spring. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
  • As soon as temperatures drop below freezing and the foliage turns brown, cut down the foliage and stems to about 6 in. (15cm), and lift the rhizomes for winter storage. If you are growing different varieties of canna lilies, you should label them.
  • Remove surplus soil, dry, and then store in trays in barely-damp wood vermiculite or multi-purpose compost. Place in a frost-free position for the winter, no higher than 50°F (10°C). Little, if any, watering should be necessary.
  • Check the rhizomes during the winter months to make sure they are not too moist or too dry.
Canna ‘Tropicanna Gold’ (Canna Lily) Canna 'Tropicanna Gold', Indian Shot 'Tropicanna Gold', Canna 'Tropicanna', Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Yellow Canna Lilies, Gold Leaf Canna
Canna ‘Tropicanna Gold’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna indica ‘Purpurea’ (Canna Lily) Canna Indica 'Purpurea', Indian Shot 'Purpurea', Cana Lily Wyoming, Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Orange Canna Lilies, Purple Leaves
Canna indica ‘Purpurea’ (Canna Lily)
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My Collection Canna x ehemanii (Canna Lily) Canna x ehemanii, Canna 'Ehemanii', Canna iridiflora, Ehemanii Canna, Canna Lily bulbs, Canna lilies, Pink Canna, Pink FlowersAGM Award
Canna x ehemanii (Canna Lily)
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6. Water Cannas

  • Water Cannas are generally hybrids of Canna glauca. They can be grown in wet soils, along with other bog plants, and can be planted in baskets, with up to 6 in. (15 cm) water above their rootstock.
  • The basket, at least 12 in. across (30 cm), should be filled with loam-based compost. Slow-release fertilizers like those intended for water lilies can be added.
  • Plant your canna at the normal height and cover the surface of the basket with gravel or chunky cobbles. After planting, keep the basket in shallow water to enable your water canna to get acclimatized.
  • As a precaution in winter, take the basket under cover into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. Keep the pots moist but not saturated. In late spring, plant the sprouted plants out when the risk of frost has passed.

Click here to compare all Canna varieties

Garden Examples

A Pretty Late Season Garden Idea with Perennials and Architectural Grasses Garden ideas, Border ideas, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Fall borders, Cortaderia sellanoa, Stipa gigantea, Helenium, Verbena bonariensis, Echinacea purpurea, Stachys byzantina Hakonechloa macra, Carex oshimensis, Asters frikartii
A Pretty Late Season Garden Idea with Perennials and Architectural Grasses
View Garden A Brilliant Summer Border Idea with Crocosmia, Dahlia and Canna Lilies Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Summer Borders, Fall Border, Crocosmia Star of the East, Star of the East, Dahlia David Howard, Canna indica purpurea,
A Brilliant Summer Border Idea with Crocosmia, Dahlia and Canna Lilies
View Garden
Compare All Canna
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Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Canna
Guides with
Canna

By guentermanaus / Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Annuals, Bulbs, Perennials
Genus Canna
Compare All Canna
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Canna
Guides with
Canna

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