Canna lilies are low maintenance tropical plants that are easy to grow and delightful.
In this post, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about canna lily plant care so you can successfully grow them year after year.
Canna lilies are one of the biggest attention getters in my garden, and one of my favorite types of summer bulbs to grow.
I love the tropical feeling they add, and they offer a wonderful contrast of color and texture to my flower beds and outdoor containers.
You’d think a tropical plant like this would be difficult to keep alive in temperate climates like mine, but they actually do great!
In this complete canna lily care guide, I will share all of my secrets for success so that you can grow them in your garden, and enjoy them for years to come.
Information About Canna Lilies
Canna lilies, which is both the Latin and common name for this plant, are a member of the Cannaceae family. They are native to tropical regions of North, South, and Central America.
They are related to ginger and arrowroots. Like these popular relatives, some species of cannas are edible. They are even bred for agricultural purposes in some areas of the world.
These fast growing plants range in height from a couple of feet for dwarf varieties, all the way up to 10ft tall. Though commonly referred to as a bulb or tuber, cannas technically grow from a rhizome.
Hardiness
Canna lilies are tropical perennial flowers commonly sold as annuals in colder climates.
Though the foliage is only hardy in warm, tropical regions, the bulbs can survive down to zone 8, or where the ground never freezes.
But they are super easy to grow in any climate. For colder areas (like where I live in Minnesota), the bulbs can be stored indoors for the winter, and planted again year after year.
Flowers
One of the things I love the most about growing canna lilies is their bright, tropical flowers. The gorgeous blooms come in a wide variety of colors and textures.
Their blooms can be anywhere from solid red, orange, yellow, or pink, to having a striped or spotted pattern on the petals.
The flowers attract pollinators, and hummingbirds especially love the bright red ones. Here’s more info about canna flowers…
- How long do canna lilies bloom? – Canna lilies are showy, and bloom constantly throughout the growing season, all the way through frost. They will bloom year round in warm climates.
- How long does it take canna lilies to bloom? – It can take a few months for them to flower after the rhizomes are planted. So it’s a good idea to start them early indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
Different Types Of Cannas
There are tons of different cultivars of canna lilies, and each has its own unique characteristics.
Some have colorful or variegated leaves, while others are prized for their brightly colored or uniquely patterned flowers.
Both the flowers and foliage come in a variety of colors and combinations, which makes it super fun to mix and match several different types.
The foliage alone is enough to catch anyone’s attention, it’s like a piece of artwork. The contrast of the flowers against the leaves on many varieties is striking.
- Madame Butterfly – One of the shorter varieties, only growing 3-6ft high. The large, salmon pink flowers are graceful and fluttering.
- Bengal Tiger – The variegated foliage contrasts vividly with the bright orange flowers, growing from 4-6ft tall.
- Tropicana – Has fantastic striped multi-colored foliage in greens and purples, complemented with orange flowers. Grows an average height of 4-6ft tall.
- Indian Shot (Canna indica) – The bright green foliage contrasts with the delicate, narrow petals of the reddish-orange flowers with their yellow margins. Can grow anywhere from 3-8ft tall.
- Stuttgart – Known for its lovely white and green leaves, with elegant, light coral pink flowers. One of the taller varieties, reaching 6-8ft tall.
Where To Grow Canna Lilies
Canna lilies are versatile, and will grow just about anywhere. They grow equally well in the ground as they do in containers. Heck, some types can even be planted in a pond.
Either way, be sure to find a location that is protected from strong winds. The leaves will rip when it’s windy, so a protected spot is best.
Growing Cannas In The Garden
You can plant canna lilies just about anywhere in your garden. Mix them with other annual flowers, or create an entire bed just dedicated to them. You really can’t go wrong.
If you want to plant them in your garden, then choose a full sun location that has rich, fertile soil. An area that gets a consistent amount of water is also the best choice.
You can amend poor quality soil with compost or worm castings to help it retain moisture, and add lots of good organic matter.
Planting Canna Lilies In A Pond
Believe it or not, canna lilies can actually grow in water. They make an excellent shallow plant for ponds, and can thrive there.
If you want to give it a try, rinse the dirt from the roots, then plant it into a container using aquatic potting soil.
Place it in the shallowest part of the pond, so that the container is sitting half in and half out of the water.
Only try this if you have extras though. Because once they canna lilies grow in water, it’s extremely difficult to successfully overwinter the rhizomes.
Canna Lily Care In Pots
The large tropical leaves and tall flower spikes are great for use in a mixed summer container, and look equally impressive in a pot on their own. Perfect for a sunny deck or patio.
Any variety can be grown in a pot, as long as you choose one that is deep enough for them. Though dwarf varieties are the best choice for containers.
Choose a pot that is large enough for the type of canna lily you plan to grow. The taller the plant, the larger the container should be. Make sure the pot has adequate drainage holes.
How To Grow Canna Lilies
Before jumping into the details of all the canna lily care requirements, it’s important to understand how and when to plant them. This will give you the best success.
When To Plant Canna Bulbs
Canna lily bulbs can be planted into the garden once the soil has warmed up in the spring. Start them in pots in late winter or early spring if you live in a cold climate with a short growing season.
Planting them into the ground early is not beneficial, so it’s best to wait until all chances of frost are gone.
If you plant them prematurely, they could be damaged by a late frost, or the bulbs could rot in the cold, wet soil.
Should You Soak Canna Bulbs Before Planting?
This is a question I get a lot, so I thought I’d answer it here. Soaking canna bulbs before planting them is not required.
However, soaking them for 12-24 hours could help break dormancy faster. Try adding a little fish emulsion or compost tea to the water before soaking them to give them even more of a boost.
How To Plant Canna Bulbs
Canna flower bulbs are very easy to plant. You could literally just dig a hole, dump the rhizomes in, cover them with dirt, and most of them would grow just fine.
But, you’re probably going to want to be a bit more intentional about it than that. Ideally, you should lay the bulbs into the hole with the pointy tips facing up or to the side.
You don’t have to be super careful here. Even if you don’t place them perfectly, they will figure out which way is up.
How Deep To Plant Canna Bulbs
It’s best to plant them 2-3 times deeper than the size of the bulb. Don’t plant them too deep, or they may not grow.
So, the larger bulbs should be planted deeper than the smallest ones. You can layer them, or spread them out a bit if you prefer.
How Far Apart To Plant Canna Lily Bulbs
Ideally, you should space larger bulbs 12-18″ apart. I would recommend sticking to that spacing if you live in a warm climate where they are perennials.
But, since the canna lilies are only in the ground for a few months in my garden, my rule of thumb is to just space the rhizomes out so that they aren’t touching each other.
If you’re in a cold climate like I am, you really don’t need to be too picky about the spacing, since they won’t have much time to become overcrowded.
How Long Does It Take For Canna Bulbs To Sprout?
From the time you plant canna rhizomes into the ground or pots, it takes about 4-6 weeks for them to start to sprout. The warmer it is, the faster they will grow.
That’s why it’s a good idea to start them in pots indoors several weeks before you can transplant them outside.
Canna Lily Care & Growing Instructions
Canna lilies are very easy to grow. But, like any plant, they do have ideal conditions that they prefer to stay healthy and perform their best. Follow these detailed care tips for best results…
Soil
When it comes to soil, cannas aren’t super fussy. But they do prefer a rich, fertile soil that is well draining, and also retains water.
Consistently moist soil is ideal. So, it’s best to plant them in an area where water doesn’t pool, but the soil holds moisture well.
Amend hard clay or sandy soils with worm castings or compost to improve the fertility and moisture retention. Choose a good quality container mix for pots.
Fertilizing
Canna lilies will definitely bloom much better and more reliably when you feed them regularly during the summer. You can learn all about fertilizing flowers here, but below are a few quick tips.
Choose an organic fertilizer that is high in phosphorus. Mix slow-release granules into the hole when you plant the bulbs. Then top dress the plants 2-3 times during the growing season.
You can also feed them with liquid plant food every time you water. A good quality water-soluble fertilizer, liquid fish emulsion, or an organic compost tea are great options for feeding cannas.
Sunlight
Canna lilies grow best in full sun (6 hours or more). They will tolerate partial shade, but won’t bloom as well. They love the heat, and thrive in hot, humid conditions.
However, if you live in a really hot climate, then plant them in an area that gets shade during the afternoon when the sun is at its strongest.
Hot, dry sun can fade the flowers – and in extreme cases, can burn the leaves.
Water
Cannas love moisture, and they’re perfect for growing in areas that get a lot of water. Like I mentioned above, some can even be planted in a shallow pond.
However, when growing them in containers or the garden, the soil should never be constantly saturated, or the bulbs could rot.
They will tolerate dry soil conditions, as long as they are watered regularly. In that case, give them deep waterings weekly, but never let the soil dry completely.
If you struggle with this, then I recommend getting yourself an expensive moisture meter to help you water your cannas perfectly every time.
Pest Control
They are usually pest free plants, but there are a few bugs to watch out for. Japanese beetles love canna lilies. Slugs and snails can also be a problem.
These bugs usually only cause unsightly damage to the leaves, and won’t actually kill the plant. But, if left uncontrolled, they can make your cannas look less than beautiful.
Effective pest control methods include hand picking the bugs, and using diatomaceous earth to kill them. Insecticidal soap, and horticultural sprays like neem oil also work well.
Pruning
Though pruning isn’t a crucial part of canna lily care, deadheading faded flowers on a regular basis will encourage new blooms.
You can also cut off any wind or bug damaged, brown, or yellowing leaves as necessary to keep the plant looking its best.
Canna Lily Propagation Tips
There are only two methods you can use to propagate cannas: seeds or division. Some varieties will produce seeds, which you can save and plant again next year.
Otherwise, you can divide the rhizomes to produce new plants. The easiest and best time to do that is in the fall right after you dig up the bulbs, or in the spring before planting.
Canna Lily Winter Care Tips
The best part about growing cannas is that they are very easy to store indoors. That way, you can keep your favorites year after year!
Dig the rhizomes in the fall before the ground freezes and cut off all of the foliage. It’s ok to allow frost to kill the leaves before lifting the bulbs.
Pack them in peat moss, or leave containerized bulbs right in the pot. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place over the winter, taking care that they don’t dry out completely.
Read my full step by step guide about overwintering your canna lilies here.
Troubleshooting Common Canna Lily Problems
The hardest part about canna lily care is when your plants have problems, and you have no idea why.
So, in this section, I’ll talk about some problems you may run into, and give you tips for how to fix them.
Leaves Turning Brown
Either the soil is too dry, or this could be caused by damage from bugs or wind.
Ensure that the soil is never getting fully dry between waterings, and check for bugs. If heavy winds are the culprit, it’s best to relocate the plant.
Not Flowering
Your canna lily is probably in an area with too much shade, or it isn’t getting enough fertilizer. They need full sun and regular feedings to bloom their best.
Canna Lily Not Growing
It probably isn’t getting enough sun or fertilizer. Insufficient water can also stunt their growth.
Leaves Splitting
High winds and storms can damage the broad leaves, especially if they are weak from not being watered frequently enough.
Canna Lily Plant Care FAQs
In this section, I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about canna lily plant care. If you can’t find an answer to your question anywhere, then ask it in the comments below.
Are canna lilies easy to grow?
Yes, canna lilies are super easy to grow, and are very low maintenance once established. As long as you provide the right conditions for them, and give them the proper care, then you will be successful.
Do canna lilies need full sun?
Yes, cannas grow best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. They will tolerate slightly less than that, but they may not flower if they get too much shade.
How do I know if my canna bulbs are dead?
If they are either completely dried out or rotted through, then you can consider your canna bulbs dead. Also, if they don’t grow after 2 months of planting them in warm soil, then they probably never will.
How tall do canna lilies grow?
Some canna lilies can grow to be 10ft tall, while others are much shorter, and range anywhere from 3+ feet tall.
Do canna lilies spread?
Yes, but canna lilies are not aggressive spreaders. The clumps will get wider ever year, but they don’t spread out too far, and will stay in one place.
However, the seeds can be dispersed farther out. So you may find seedlings around your garden in the spring if you allow them to set seed.
Will cannas come back every year?
That depends on where you live. Cannas are tropical plants, but the rhizomes can survive in the ground year round as long as they don’t freeze.
So, if you live in a warmer climate, then yes, they will come back. If the ground freezes where you live, then no, they won’t grow back.
Can canna lilies grow indoors?
Since canna lilies need 6+ hours of direct sunlight, they do not grow very well indoors. You could certainly give it a try if you have powerful grow lights that you can keep on for 12-14 hours a day. But watch out for bugs like spider mites.
Growing canna lilies in pots or the garden doesn’t take much work, and is very rewarding! Use them to add a tropical feel to your flower beds and outdoor containers. With the proper care, you can enjoy their gorgeous, bright blooms all summer long.
More About Flower Gardening
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- How To Care For Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus communis)
- How To Care For A Voodoo Lily Plant
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Share your canna lily plant care tips in the comments below.
Amy S. says
I received my canna rhizomes in the mail a few weeks ago. They were in a good soil medium. They are now sprouting. So, I put the rhizomes in a box with dry peat moss and left the sprouts uncovered, but the rest of the rhizomes are covered with peat moss so just the sprout is sticking out from the top of the moss. I used a spray bottle to moisten the soil a little. My house temperature is 68 degrees. Now the sprout tips are turning black at the very tip of the sprout. What is causing this? I live in Michigan in zone 5b. Thanks
Amy Andrychowicz says
The first thing I would do is check to make sure the peat moss isn’t too wet. It can hold onto a lot of water for a long time, so it may be that your canna lilies are getting too much moisture. Also, don’t mist the leaves at all, that might be causing them to mold or rot. Make sure you have your cannas in a sunny window where they get as much light as possible when indoors. And, if possible, put them outside on warm days whenever it’s above 60F, then bring them back in on cold nights. They don’t love being indoors, so that could be part of the problem. Just make sure when you do move them outside to put them in a shady spot at first. They can get sunburn when moved from being inside to the full sun outdoors, so it’s best to acclimate them over a week or so to get them used to it.
Chad Cuddihy says
I forgot about a Canna lily in the garden and it has come back the last two years. It faces SSE and starts coming up in mid July. It doesn’t get very large but it does flower.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wonderful! Yes, canna lilies can survive the winter as long as the ground doesn’t freeze, so you must live somewhere fairly warm. 🙂
Vivienne John-Charles says
Thank you for sharing your comprehensive advice. The one thing that I still don’t get is the conflicting advice on whether or not to cut off the fully spent stem after the flowers have gone leaving the reddish/brown seed pods. I cut one off down to the next leaf and left three with just the pods remaining but it still continues to flower well with new stems continuing to emerge and then flower. So does it really matter? I make sure I pull out any faded flowers from their spike regularly. Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
If you leave the dead flowers on the plant, they could eventually set seed (depending on the variety you have). That takes energy away from the plant, which can inhibit new blooms from forming. Removing the dead flower spikes also helps to keep the plant looking tidy. But, if you have no problems with it, then you can leave them on. It certainly won’t hurt anything. 🙂
Anna Kramer says
I thoroughly appreciate all your information that you provide! I am a beginner in gardening and cannot stand the thought of being careless with my cannas. I live in zone 6-Boulder and my cannas is in a container in the outdoors in full sun. I have a good grow light set up in my home with humidifiers. I don’t quite understand if I am needing to dig up the root and store or can I bring the cannas in and keep it growing in the container until next spring or whenever it starts getting warm again.
Thank you for any help you can give to help me understand the correct procedures.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Canna lilies are very difficult to grow indoors, because they need TONS of sunlight, and tend to be prone to bugs infestations. I find it much easier to let them go dormant, and then dig up the bulbs and store them indoors for winter. Since yours are in pots, you could just store them right in the container, rather than dig the up. Here’s a post about storing bulbs for winter that will give you general info about how to do it.
Anna Kramer says
Thank you so very much for your information that you have provided. Helps me immensely. It helps to have the confusion cleared. I really appreciate your responding so quickly as well. Thanks again!!!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, happy to help. 🙂
Delaina says
It’s the beginning of June here In Texas and my cannas have been looking great. I have collected quite a few seeds. Do I germinate them now or should I wait until January or so and store the seeds in the refrigerator? I live in zone 8b.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Congrats on having such great success with growing cannas! You can plant the seeds now, or wait until January. The only thing about planting them now is that the small plants may not have time to form good bulbs before winter. So, if the baby canna lilies die back in the winter, the immature ones may not grow back if they haven’t formed rhizomes yet.
Ardell Specht says
Do you just leave the spent canna flower spikes after blooming or can you cut them off? I have read your comment regarding seeds.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can cut the spent flowers off your canna lilies at any time, as long as you don’t care about the seeds.
Susan Fleming says
Cannas are perennials which grow from thick underground roots (or rhizomes) – the bulbs. Could we use them as a green hedge in a subtropical climate? ie not take them out in winter? also we can only have shallowish roots – say to 30cm because of a concrete block; will this be a problem?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, as long as the ground doesn’t freeze you can leave your canna lily bulbs in the ground year round. Depending on how cold it gets there, the plants may die all the way back to the ground each winter, but should start growing again in the spring. 30 cm is pretty shallow so it might be a problem. They will probably grow just fine, but they might suffer if the concrete makes the soil dry out too fast. Cannas like a lot of water, and don’t grow well in dry soil.
Rio says
Hi,
I have this beautiful plants too in front of our house..my question is,.can I just replant my cannas and grow them inside the house?
I live in Iowa and we have pretty bad winter too. I wonder if I can just do this trick?
Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You could certainly try overwintering canna lilies inside as a houseplant, I’ve never tried it myself. It’s much easier to dig the bulbs and store them for winter. Just be sure to watch out for houseplant pests if you decide to try growing your canna indoors.
Shar says
Thank you. I finally found an article written that gave me FULL information about the Canna. Enjoyed it!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Judy Black says
I live in MS where it is very hot and humid. I have canna’s planted in the ground and some in a pot. Neither will bloom! They get plenty of sun and water. I have had these for several yeas and they have never bloomed. I am about ready to pull them up! The foliage on the ones planted in a pot are the prettiest and healthiest looking but still no blooms. Help
Amy Andrychowicz says
Your cannas may be too crowded, or the soil may not be fertile enough for them to bloom. I’ve also heard that if you plant them too deep, they won’t bloom. I would try doing just as you said, digging them up and replanting them. I would also try fertilizing them next spring and summer, especially the ones in the pots.
Karen says
How long do you soak the seeds before planting them in soil.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Soaking the canna lily seeds overnight will do the trick.
Tim says
How do you Dead-Head the canna?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can simply prune off your canna lily flowers as they fade.
Paulette Lawrence says
trying to find out on line why my beautiful canna leave are plitting down the middle…also browning on the edges. Really need advise as this is my favorite flower in my garden. I’m in Arizona and this year we are having some high heats…most days are over 100 and so far have reached 108degrees.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Canna lilies like a lot of water, and will suffer if the soil is too dry. I would water them more often, and don’t allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Paulette Lawrence says
I wrote plitting down the middle of the canna.. That should have been splitting down the middle. I’ve have been all over the internet trying to find out what this is. I’m sure it’s not insects. We had a bad monsoon with heavy winds and am thinking this may be the problem. The plant itself seems to be doing alright. It’s pretty depressing that every day I go out in the garden I am pulling dead
plants. This has been one of the hottest summers we’ve had. It was 114 yesterday and no hope of it going down. I have had to cover a lot of the plants as they are also dying. Lantana have been known to withstand the heat, yet they too are dying. Thank you for your comment. I do check every day for the moisture. My cannas are all brown on the edges and are not as pretty as last year.
Amy Andrychowicz says
No worries, I knew what you meant. 🙂 My guess is that the canna was weakened by the hot/dry weather, and broke during the storm. It’s tough to keep them happy during such extreme dry weather, since they really prefer humidity. Sorry to hear your summer has been so miserable! Hope you will get some much needed rain and cooler temps soon!
Rebecca McGrady says
Hi, This past spring I transplanted some cannas from the west side of my property to the center east, which is the front of my house. The cannas where regrowing themselves every year for over a decade at least. We live in zone 8a. Anyways, after I transplanted them I babied them everyday for around a month, watering everyday, re-bending the leaves back to their upright erect position when needed, checking for pests, and feeding about once a week. They were doing great, all of the transplants survived and where thriving! Then one day, hubby comes thru with the weedeater (not getting to close) and then the leaf blower. He did blow all in my flower bed including all around the Cannas. Right afterwards I approched my plants to find that around half or more of the leaves on my beautiful healthy plant were SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE! (I almost cried!) Of course, this was not hubby’s fault; we didn’t know that could happen. I then simply removed the leaves that looked as if they couldn’t survive, as they were split almost, if not all the way down the middle and I left a few that were only split somewhat. My plants have continued to thrive here all summer! I do recommend removing all split leaves though because they won’t heal themselves and I’m guessing the plant is putting energy in attempting to do so. Hubby has never been allowed close to my beds with the blower again and that was the only time the splitting happened, even after somewhat-strong storms. Hope this gives you an idea at least of what is causing your canna leaves to split! Happy gardening!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks so much for sharing your canna lily story, and care tips. Those darn well-meaning husbands, LOL! 😉 Glad to hear your cannas are recovering nicely.
Karen says
Can you tell what color the flower will be by the color of the bulb?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If you have a keen eye, you can tell the difference between the bulbs of a red leaf canna lilies and ones with green leaves. But you can’t tell what color the flower will be, or what variety it, is just by looking the bulb.
Carole Hill says
Live in Maryland so when do I plant my canna lily bulbs. Does it have to be after the last guaranteed frost which the say is May 15th or can I plant before then say the middle of april?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Definitely wait until after your last frost date to plant them. Planting canna lily bulbs too early will not benefit them. In fact, they could rot in the cold, soggy soil if they’re planted too early. And any new growth that does occur that early would only be killed by a late frost.
Roseann Hampton says
Thanks for the great article! My cannas always have a tough time surviving the strong Texas August sun!
Amy Andrychowicz says
I bet they do! They are water hogs. Have you ever tried them in a shady area?