Overwinter canna lilies is easy and worth the effort to save these gorgeous tropical plants.
In this post, I’ll discuss three possible methods, show you how to dig up and store the bulbs, and give you tons of winter care and replanting tips too.
Saving canna bulbs over winter isn’t difficult, and it’s a great way to save yourself some cash every spring. If you want to learn how to keep your favorites year after year, this is for you.
I don’t know about you, but after watching them thrive all summer, it’s very difficult to see the flowers and foliage slowly die back once cold weather arrives in the fall.
The good news is that it is possible to overwinter canna lilies no matter where you live, or how cold it gets outside.
In this guide I share all my best tips on wintering cannas three different ways, so you can choose the one that works best for you and your climate.
Will Canna Lilies Survive Winter?
Even if you live in a cold climate like I do here in MN, canna lilies will survive for years to come as long as you overwinter them properly.
Many types sold at the garden center as annuals are actually tender perennials that are hardy in zones 8 and above.
If the ground never freezes where you live, you can leave them in the garden.
But the rest of us must dig up the bulbs (sometimes called tubers, but technically they’re rhizomes), and bring them indoors for winter.
Related Post: How To Overwinter Plants: The Complete Guide
3 Methods Of Overwintering Canna Bulbs
There are three simple ways to overwinter canna lily bulbs. Here’s a quick list of your options, which I’ll describe in much more detail below.
- Leave canna lilies in the ground
- Overwinter cannas in pots
- Dig up and store canna bulbs for winter
How To Overwinter Canna Lily Bulbs
Choosing the best method for overwintering canna lilies depends on where you live and how you planted them.
1. Leaving Canna Lilies In The Ground
Anyone who lives in the warmer zones of 8+ can leave their canna bulbs in the ground over winter, as long as the soil doesn’t freeze.
If you live on the cooler side of their hardiness zone, you can mulch them to give them extra warmth. This added protection will help them survive short cold spells.
Keep in mind that freezing temps will kill the foliage. So if that happens, just cut it back to the ground, and the rhizomes will regrow once it gets warmer in the spring.
2. Overwintering Cannas In Pots
If your cannas are in a pot, there’s no need to pull them out, you can overwinter them right in the container.
The easiest way to do this is to let them go dormant. Cool fall temps naturally trigger dormancy, so leave them outside until frost kill the foliage.
Once that happens, cut them back to the soil level, and move the container inside before it gets below freezing.
3. Digging & Storing Canna Bulbs For Winter
By far the most popular method of overwintering canna lilies is to dig up and store the bulbs.
This is a must if they are planted in the garden. The nice thing about it is that there’s no rush to dig them up.
You can leave them in the ground even after a hard freeze kills the plant. As long as you lift them before the ground freezes, they will survive.
Preparing Canna Lilies For Winter Storage
If your canna lilies are in the ground, then you’ll need to dig up the rhizomes and store them for winter.
Don’t worry, it’s not difficult. Follow these tips to properly lift them and prepare them for storage.
When To Dig Up Canna Lily Bulbs
The best time to dig up canna lily bulbs is after the cold has killed the foliage in the fall. Freezing temps trigger dormancy, which is what we need to successfully store them.
You’ll have plenty of time to dig them up, so you don’t have to rush. As long as you get them out before the ground freezes or the snow flies, they’ll be fine.
How To Dig Up Canna Bulbs For Winter
Before digging them up, cut the foliage back to the ground, or leave 2-3” of the stem intact to use as a handle when you pull them out.
I find it easier to use a garden fork to lift them because there’s less soil included, but a spade shovel works too.
Start digging at least a foot away from where the stems are poking out of the ground, so you don’t accidentally cut or damage the bulbs.
When you have the clump completely out, use your hands to gently shake or brush away the largest clumps of soil.
How To Cure Canna Bulbs Before Storing
It’s important to cure (dry) canna bulbs before you overwinter them to prevent rot and mold.
Remove the remaining foliage and stems beforehand. Then set them out in a warm, dry place for a week or so.
I spread mine out on newspaper on the floor or a shelf in my garage or basement, and space them so they aren’t touching each other.
How To Store Canna Bulbs For Winter
In this section, I’ll show you how to properly pack and store canna bulbs for the winter. You can skip the part about packing them if yours are in a pot.
Packing Canna Lily Bulbs For Storage
Though some people have success just wrapping the rhizomes in paper, I have trouble with the smaller ones drying out too much.
So I prefer to pack them in a cardboard box filled with peat moss or coco coir. Other good materials you could use include pet bedding, sawdust, or a mix of perlite and vermiculite.
Place individual bulbs or clumps into the box so they aren’t touching each other, then fill in around them with the packing medium. If it’s big enough, you can put several layers into one box.
If you don’t have a cardboard box, you could use a similar storage container. But don’t use something made out of plastic, or it could cause mold or rot.
Where To Store Canna Bulbs Over Winter
The best place to store canna bulbs for winter is in a cool, dry place where it stays above freezing. A basement, cellar, or heated garage are all fantastic choices.
Ideally the temperature range should stay between 40-60° F. If it gets too warm, they could start to sprout prematurely or rot. Learn more about storing bulbs here.
Canna Lily Winter Care Tips
Check on your canna lily bulbs monthly during winter storage to make sure they aren’t rotting, molding, or drying out too much.
Remove any that are rotting or have mold on them immediately so it doesn’t spread to the others.
If they’re getting too dry, then lightly spritz them with water to keep them hydrated. But don’t wet them down too much.
Replanting Canna Bulbs After Overwintering
Now that you know how to overwinter canna lilies, here are some tips that will help you successfully replant them in the spring.
When To Plant Canna Lily Bulbs
You can safely replant your overwintered canna bulbs outside in the spring after all chance of frost has passed.
As long as the soil temperature is above 60° F, you can put them back in the ground. Use a soil thermometer to check it.
If you kept them in the pot, you can move them back outside once the air temperature stays above freezing.
How To Prepare Canna Lily Bulbs For Planting
There’s nothing special you need to do to prepare canna lily bulbs for planting.
But, if you want to try to break their dormancy faster, you can soak them in warm water for 12-24 hours beforehand.
I like to use a compost tea solution for soaking mine to give them an extra boost, but this step is completely optional.
Starting Canna Bulbs Indoors
Another option for getting them to wake up faster is to start the bulbs indoors 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date.
Plant them into deep containers using a general purpose potting soil, water them well, and place them in a sunny window or under artificial light.
Related Post: Growing Canna Lilies In Your Garden (The Complete Care Guide)
FAQs About Overwintering Canna Lilies
Here are some questions people often ask about overwintering canna lilies. If you can’t find an answer here, ask yours in the comments below.
Can canna lilies grow indoors over winter?
While it is possible for canna lilies to grow indoors over winter, it’s very difficult to keep them alive. They need a lot of light, and are extremely susceptible to bugs. Managing the perfect balance of water, moisture, and sun inside the house can be a huge challenge.
Do you have to dig up canna bulbs in the fall?
You have to dig up canna bulbs in the fall if you live in a cold climate where the ground freezes. Otherwise, you don’t need to lift them, you can leave them in the garden all winter.
Can you overwinter cannas in pots?
Yes, you can overwinter cannas in pots. To store your potted cannas, cut the foliage back to the soil level before moving them indoors. Stop watering, and keep them in a cool and dry location that doesn’t fall below 40°F.
Can you leave canna lilies in the ground over winter?
You can leave canna lilies in the ground over winter if the soil does’t freeze where you live. If you are in zone 7 or lower, then it’s too cold for them to survive outdoors.
How long can you store canna bulbs?
You can store canna bulbs for several months without any issues. But for best results you should plant them every year, even if you don’t get to it until later in the summer. If you try storing them too long, eventually they will dry out and die.
How can you tell if canna bulbs are dead?
You can tell canna bulbs are dead if they are completely dried out or rotted through. If you aren’t sure, try planting them. If they don’t start to grow after about 2 months, then they are dead.
Should I cut the roots off canna bulbs before storing?
There’s no need to cut the roots off your canna bulbs before storing them. However, if cutting off the roots makes it easier for you to store them, then you can go ahead and do that. It won’t hurt the bulbs.
Since they are so easy to overwinter, you don’t have to live in a tropical climate to enjoy canna lilies year after year. Just follow these simple tips to extend their life and beauty for a long time.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!
More About Overwintering Plants
- How To Overwinter Plumeria (Frangipani) Plants Indoors
- How To Overwinter Tropical Hibiscus Plants Indoors
Share your tips for overwintering canna lilies in the comments section below.
Allen Bean says
I don’t have a good place to store bulbs. I’m in 6a, my garage is unheated, no basement and the house is too warm. Any suggestions?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can store your canna bulbs in any dark closet or cabinet. It doesn’t have to be cold, just not super hot. I have stored mine in the back corner of a spare bedroom closet before with no issues. As long as it’s dark and dry, they will stay dormant.
Phyllus says
I’m in zone 9b central Florida. We don’t get freezes so I know I can overwinter the rhizomes but when do I cut them down? I planted them in the front yard surrounding a Crepe Myrtle with a western exposure. Those on the north side never grew. Those on the south side are stretching into the crepe Myrtle branches but the blossoms have always been small and floppy even tho the stalk bases are strong and thick. The leaves are starting to look scraggly. When is too soon to remove them? Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
It sounds like your plants might not be getting enough sun. I would think about moving them away from the tree. As for cutting your cannas down for winter, you can do it anytime in the fall as the leaves start to die back on their own. Or you can leave them be if they still look good, you don’t *have* to cut them back, they may keep growing all winter if it stays warm enough.
Donita Gill says
My beautiful Canna Lily is bursting with new growth and roots are shooting out of the bottom of the pot should I repot the plant before cutting it down for overwintering in a pot ?
Amy Andrychowicz says
No need to repot your canna lily before overwintering it. You can either leave it right in the container, or dig up the bulbs to store them, then repot them in the spring.
Bill says
I live in zone 6b and failed to winter my Canna last winter because I just didn’t know. I cleaned up the dead leaves in the spring and they returned and are now starting to flower. Did I just get lucky?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If your canna lily bulbs survived the winter outside in your garden, that means the ground didn’t freeze. So, you either had a mild winter, or your cannas were in a micro-climate area that stays warmer than other areas of the garden (for example, next to the foundation of your house). It’s awesome, but I wouldn’t count on it every winter. 🙂
Kathy Zajac says
I left my cannas right in their pots and put them in the basement for the winter. I just brought them up and they have some tall stems that already started to grow but are very pale because they had no sun.
Should I cut those back or can I keep them?
Thank you
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, it’s very common for overwintered canna lilies to start growing while they’re still in storage! You can keep the pale leaves on the plant, and just put it the shade outside (as long as it’s warm enough), or next to a sunny window indoors. They will return to their normal color once they get some light. Don’t put them into the full sun right away though, or they will burn. But you can certainly cut them off if you prefer, it won’t affect the plant at all, and more leaves will grow soon enough.
Sharon says
Hi. I l live in the Uk and my friend has given me a potted Canna. She has told me not to water it until it starts sprouting. This was 3 weeks ago, we are coming to the end of April and the soil appears very dry as the canna has been in my conservatory. Do I water it? Don’t want to rot it and it has not changed in appearance at all.
Any advice gratefully received
Amy Andrychowicz says
If the soil is dry more than 2″ deep, then I would give it some water. If it’s too dry your canna lily bulb will not break dormancy, it needs moisture and warmth to trigger it to grow. The soil should be lightly moist but not soggy.
NJT says
I’m growing mine in a pot. The leaves are getting brown, but there’s still a fair bit of green; and it’s got droopy. Should I cut it back now? Also, I gather after I cut it I should go on occasionally watering it; when would I start up regular watering again?
I live in an apartment in D.C.
Amy Andrychowicz says
In my experience, it’s much easier to let canna lilies go dormant through the winter, rather than trying to keep them alive indoors. If you’d like to do that, then cut back all of the leaves to the soil level and stop watering. Place the pot into a cool, dark place where it stays above freezing and don’t water it all winter. About 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date, move it to a sunny window and give it a good drink of water to gently wake it up. Then you can move it back outside once it’s warm enough.
Ron says
When overwintering canna rhizomes, is it appropriate to use styrofoam popcorn as a medium?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I have never used styrofoam popcorn as a medium, so I can’t speak from experience. But some people overwinter their canna rhizomes in a paper bag, so your method certainly could work. The smallest ones might end up drying out, but the larger ones would probably be fine. It would be a good experiment to try.
Eirlys says
I live jn North Wales, and some winters we get ice and snow, but you have to be prepared for it. I packed my rhizomes in a box packed with dry leaves one year, rather than buy special materials, and they were fine, and in my greenhouse, every year. Some I leave in their pots, and in spring, don’t start poking to check if they are still alive, as you will damage any new buds, like I did! You will see new growth when they start growing, and obviously alive!
I hope that helps?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great, thanks for sharing your tips and method for overwintering your canna lilies. They are very easy once you get the hang of it, but for sure it’s easy to get antsy in the spring and poke around to see if they are still alive, LOL!
David L Wolken says
Very straightforward, easy to understand advice. As a Master Gardener we tend to overcomplicate things. I would suggest that people not try to overwinter the smaller rhizomes as they easily dry out and don’t yield as large of flowers the next year. Also, don’t crowd them when you re-plant them, as you know they can grow and spread quickly. Thanks again.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thank you for your nice comment and sharing your expert advice about overwintering canna rhizomes! Some types definitely spread quickly, so it’s easy to compost the small ones, since you end up having so many over time anyway, LOL!
Sandy W says
I would like to over winter in a box but am confused. I understand curing them to dry them out. I don’t know what you mean when you say check them once a month to make sure they don’t dry out too much. How would I know what too dry is?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If the canna bulbs start to dry out during winter storage, they will become shriveled and eventually turn hard/brown. They should always be fairly firm and white. I personally have never had a problem with larger ones drying out, but small ones can be difficult to keep for that long.
Pat Akers says
Should canas stored in pots in the garage be watered during the Winter?
Amy Andrychowicz says
The soil on your overwintered cannas should stay on the dry side. But never let it become completely bone dry, to the point where the soil is pulling away from the sides of the pot. They don’t normally need much water during the winter though, if any – especially if they aren’t pot-bound.
Christine says
Hi I live in zone 8b at the foothills of the cascade mountains east of Salem Oregon. I bought 4 pots of canna this summer and want to winter them over in the pots. How do I do that? And I don’t want to have to lift them every year. Is there a way to safely do that? I have a very large collection of dahlia tubers I cut back after a freeze. Then cover them with black plastic and straw for insulation. I have been able to save all of them year after year. Do you think this might work with cannas once I get them planted? Thank you
Amy Andrychowicz says
As long as the ground doesn’t freeze, then there’s no need to lift your canna bulbs.
Rhea Kokesch says
2weeks ago I put my canna bulbs in a plastic 5 galling pail with sawdust mixed with peat moss. I checked them today and noticed they are starting to sprout. Is there anything I can do to save them and get them to go back into a dormant stage??
The environment inside the pail was obviously too damp… thus encouraging them to sprout. I will take the bulbs out today and repack them into a cardboard box. What should i use, shredded paper, with some saw dust, or can i store them in the box without anything else in there?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would just cut off the sprouting parts, and then repack them in a dry material like you mention. However, if they are damp, then let them cure a little longer first. Rather than using peat moss, if they are large, you can wrap them in newspaper. Just plan to check on them a few times throughout the winter to make sure they aren’t drying out too fast.
Lori Brandt says
Hi Amy- I was given 2 large clumps of cannas. I live in zone 6a so I know I have to store. I have 2 questions. The clumps are probably at least 12 inches across. I plan to divide and put some in pots and plant the rest in the ground next spring. Should I divide now or wait till spring and just winter over large clumps as is after getting most of dirt off and curing? Also, I don’t have a heated garage or basement. Could I winter over I my house attic or would it be warm enough in garage attic? I live in Northwest Ohio. Thanks, Lori
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would just leave the canna bulbs in clumps, and divide them in the spring. That way, you can split them however you want as you’re planting. Unless your attic is heated, I don’t recommend storing them up there unless you know for certain it doesn’t get below freezing. I would keep them in the darkest, coolest place inside your home. A pantry or closet would work great.
J Valenzuela says
Do you cut the mop like mass of roots off the rhizome before or after its cured prior to storage?
Thanks
JV
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can cut the roots off of the canna rhizomes before curing them. However, it’s not necessary. You can leave the roots on them, they just might take a bit longer to cure.