Introduction
There is nothing quite like the first time you see a canna lily unfurl its massive, banana-like leaves and produce a spike of brilliant, tropical flowers. These plants bring an immediate sense of the tropics to any backyard, making your garden feel like a private resort. One of the most common questions we hear at Longfield Gardens is whether these stunning plants will return the following year or if they are a one-season wonder.
Whether you are gardening in a sunny southern climate or a cooler northern region, the answer is an encouraging "yes," but the method depends entirely on your local weather. This guide will help you understand the lifecycle of the canna, how to manage them across different USDA zones, and the simple steps you can take to ensure they return bigger and better every summer. By the end of this article, you will know exactly how to keep your canna lilies growing back for years to come.
The Short Answer: Do Canna Lilies Grow Back?
The simplest way to answer this question is to look at how the plant stores its energy. Canna lilies grow from thick, fleshy underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes act as a battery, storing nutrients and energy during the summer to power the plant’s growth the following year.
In warmer climates (USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11), canna lilies are reliable perennials. This means you can leave them in the ground all year, and they will naturally sprout again once the soil warms up in the spring. In cooler climates (zones 3 through 7), the rhizomes are sensitive to freezing temperatures. If the ground freezes deep enough to reach the rhizome, the plant will not survive the winter. However, gardeners in these cooler zones can still enjoy their cannas year after year by "lifting" the rhizomes in the fall and storing them indoors until spring.
Key Takeaway: Canna lilies are perennials by nature. Whether they grow back on their own or require a little help from you depends on how cold your winters get.
Understanding Your Hardiness Zone
Before deciding on a care plan, it is helpful to know your USDA hardiness zone. This system helps gardeners understand which plants can survive the winter in their specific area.
- Zones 8 to 11: These are the "safe zones" for cannas. The ground rarely freezes deeply, allowing the rhizomes to remain dormant in the garden until spring.
- Zone 7: This is the transition zone. In many years, a thick layer of mulch is enough to protect cannas. However, during an unusually cold winter, some loss may occur.
- Zones 3 to 6: In these regions, cannas are treated as "tender perennials" or "annuals with a secret." To get them to grow back, you must bring the rhizomes inside before the ground freezes.
How Cannas Grow: The Anatomy of a Rhizome
To understand how to make cannas grow back, it helps to understand what is happening beneath the soil. A canna rhizome looks a bit like a ginger root. It features "eyes" or growing points, which are small bumps where the new stems will emerge.
When you plant a rhizome in the spring, it uses its stored energy to push the first leaves through the soil. Throughout the summer, the leaves catch sunlight and convert it into energy, which is sent back down to the rhizome. Not only does the original rhizome get stronger, but it also grows and produces "babies" or new offshoots. This means that when your cannas grow back, they often return as a larger, more impressive clump than the year before.
Growing Back in Warm Climates (Zones 8-11)
If you live in a region where palm trees or citrus thrive, your canna lily care is wonderfully simple. These plants are built for heat and humidity, and they will happily stay in your garden beds year-round.
Fall and Winter Care
Once the first frost hits or the temperatures consistently drop, the foliage on your canna lilies will begin to turn yellow or brown. This is a natural signal that the plant is entering dormancy.
- Wait for the fade: Allow the leaves to turn brown. This ensures the plant has finished moving all its energy down into the rhizome.
- Cut back: Use clean garden shears to cut the stems down to about 3 or 4 inches above the soil line.
- Mulch: Even in warm zones, a 2-to-3-inch layer of bark mulch or straw can help keep the soil moisture consistent and protect the rhizomes from any brief cold snaps.
Spring Emergence
In the spring, patience is key. Cannas are heat-loving plants and are often among the last things to emerge in the garden. They typically won't start growing until the soil temperature reaches a consistent 60°F. If you see other plants sprouting and your cannas are still hidden, don't worry—they are likely just waiting for a bit more warmth.
Growing Back in Cold Climates (Zones 3-7)
For those of us in the North, getting canna lilies to grow back is a rewarding two-step process: lifting and storing. While it requires a bit of effort in the fall, it is much more cost-effective than buying new plants every year. Plus, you get to keep your favorite varieties.
When to Lift Your Cannas
The best time to dig up your cannas is shortly after the first "killing frost." This is the frost that turns the lush green leaves to a dark, wilted brown. This frost tells the plant it is time to sleep. Don't worry—the frost that kills the leaves won't hurt the rhizomes as long as the ground hasn't frozen solid yet.
The Lifting Process
- Cut the stems: Trim the blackened foliage down to about 4 or 6 inches. This gives you a "handle" to hold onto while digging.
- Dig carefully: Use a garden fork or a shovel. Start digging about 12 inches away from the base of the plant to avoid slicing through the rhizomes. Gently pry the entire clump out of the earth.
- Clean and dry: Shake off the loose soil. You don't need to wash them with water—in fact, keeping them dry helps prevent rot. Let the clumps sit in a dry, shaded area (like a garage or a porch) for two or three days to "cure." This toughens the outer skin.
Winter Storage Success
To ensure your cannas grow back in the spring, they need a winter home that is cool, dark, and dry, but never freezing. For more detailed guidance, see this canna lily winter storage guide.
- The Container: Place the rhizomes in a cardboard box, a plastic bin with air holes, or a paper grocery sack.
- The Medium: Cover them with slightly damp peat moss, vermiculite, or even shredded paper. This prevents them from drying out completely without making them wet enough to rot.
- The Location: A basement, a crawlspace, or an insulated garage is usually perfect. The ideal temperature is between 40°F and 50°F.
What to do next:
- Check your stored rhizomes once a month during the winter.
- If they look shriveled, lightly mist the packing material with water.
- If any spots look soft or mushy, trim them away or discard that specific piece to keep the rest healthy.
Dividing Cannas for More Blooms
One of the best things about cannas is that they "grow back" with interest. A single rhizome planted in May can turn into a massive clump by October. When you lift them in the fall or before you replant in the spring, you can easily divide them.
To divide, simply pull the rhizome clumps apart or use a clean knife to cut them. Ensure each piece has at least one "eye" (the little bump where the stem grows). By dividing your cannas every two or three years, you prevent the plants from becoming overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to fewer flowers and smaller leaves, so dividing is a great way to keep the plants vigorous.
Starting Cannas Early Indoors
If you live in a region with a short growing season, you might find that your cannas only just start blooming when the first frost hits. To get the most out of your plants, you can give them a head start indoors.
In late March or early April, about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost, you can "wake up" your stored rhizomes.
- Pot them up: Place the rhizomes in pots with standard potting soil.
- Warmth and light: Put the pots in a sunny window or under grow lights.
- Water sparingly: Keep the soil just barely moist until you see green shoots appearing.
- Transplant: Once the weather is consistently warm and there is no danger of frost, move your established plants into the garden. They will bloom much earlier than rhizomes planted directly into the ground.
Choosing the Best Spot for Your Cannas
If you want your cannas to grow back strongly, you need to provide them with the right environment during the summer. These are not "fussy" plants, but they do have a few non-negotiable requirements.
Sunlight is Essential
Cannas are sun-worshippers. To produce those vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. If planted in too much shade, the plants will become "leggy" (tall and weak) and may fail to bloom entirely.
Soil and Drainage
While cannas love water—some varieties can even grow in the shallow edges of a pond—they generally prefer rich, well-draining soil. If your garden has heavy clay, mixing in some compost or well-rotted manure will help provide the nutrients these "heavy feeders" require.
Wind Protection
Because cannas can grow quite tall (some varieties reach 6 to 8 feet) and have very large leaves, they can act like sails in a storm. If possible, plant them in a spot that is sheltered from strong, prevailing winds to prevent the leaves from shredding or the stems from leaning.
Ongoing Care for Maximum Return
To ensure your cannas have enough energy to grow back next year, you need to take care of them throughout the blooming season.
Watering Rules
Cannas are thirsty plants. During the heat of the summer, they should be watered deeply at least once a week—more often if they are in containers. A simple rule is to check the soil; if the top inch is dry, it is time to water.
Fertilizing for Success
Because they grow so fast and produce so much foliage, cannas need plenty of fuel. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time. You can also follow up with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the peak of summer to keep the blooms coming.
Deadheading
"Deadheading" is the practice of removing faded flowers. On a canna, the flower spikes will produce several blooms in succession. Once an individual flower fades, you can snip it off. Once the entire spike has finished blooming, cut that specific stalk down to the next leaf. This encourages the plant to put its energy into new flower spikes rather than producing seeds.
Common Reasons Cannas Might Not Grow Back
If you find that your cannas didn't return, it is usually due to one of a few simple factors. Understanding these can help you avoid the same outcome next season.
- Extreme Cold: In zones 7 and 8, a particularly harsh winter can occasionally kill rhizomes that are left in the ground. Increasing your mulch depth can help mitigate this.
- Winter Rot: This is the most common issue for stored rhizomes. If the storage area is too damp or the rhizomes weren't allowed to dry properly before being packed away, they may rot.
- Spring Chill: If you plant your rhizomes too early in cold, wet soil, they may sit and rot before they have a chance to grow. Always wait until the soil is warm.
- Poor Drainage: If the garden bed stays soggy all winter, the rhizomes may drown. Ensuring good drainage is vital for perennial success.
Container Gardening with Cannas
Many gardeners prefer to grow cannas in pots. This is a brilliant strategy for several reasons. First, it allows you to move the plants around to capture the best sun. Second, it makes the overwintering process even easier.
If you grow cannas in containers, you don't necessarily have to dig them out of the soil in the fall. Once the frost hits, simply cut the foliage back and move the entire pot into a frost-free garage or basement. The soil in the pot provides a natural insulating barrier for the rhizomes. In the spring, move the pot back outside, give it a good drink of water and some fertilizer, and watch it come back to life. For more ideas, explore spring-planted container combinations.
Varieties to Explore
At Longfield Gardens, we see a wide range of canna varieties, each with its own personality. You can browse canna and other summer-blooming selections when planning your garden. When choosing cannas with the intent of keeping them for years, consider the different foliage types:
- Green Foliage: Classic and lush, these provide a clean backdrop for bright flowers.
- Bronze or Burgundy Foliage: These add deep, moody color to the garden even when the plants aren't in bloom.
- Variegated Foliage: Some varieties feature stripes of yellow, white, or orange in the leaves, making them a focal point from day one.
The Joy of Canna Lilies
Gardening should be a source of relaxation and pride, not a list of difficult chores. Canna lilies fit this philosophy perfectly. They are resilient, fast-growing, and offer a massive visual reward for very little effort. Knowing that these plants can grow back year after year makes them an even better investment for your landscape.
Whether you are tucking them into a garden bed or featuring them in a large patio planter, cannas provide a vertical element that few other plants can match. Their ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies is just the icing on the cake.
Conclusion
Canna lilies are truly the gift that keeps on giving. By matching your care routine to your climate, you can enjoy their tropical beauty every single summer. In the south, they are the reliable backbone of the perennial border. In the north, they are a fun seasonal project that rewards you with bigger and better displays each time they return.
Our team at Longfield Gardens is always here to help you succeed with your bulbs and perennials. We stand behind the quality of our rhizomes and want to ensure you feel confident in your garden. With the right sun, plenty of water, and a safe place to rest during the winter, your cannas will continue to be the stars of your summer garden for a long time to come. Learn more about the company’s quality guarantee.
Final Thought: Canna lilies don't just grow back; they multiply. Start with a few favorite varieties this year, and in a few seasons, you’ll have enough to share with friends and neighbors.
FAQ
Can I leave canna lilies in the ground over winter in Zone 7?
In Zone 7, canna lilies are on the edge of their hardiness range. Many gardeners find success leaving them in the ground if they provide a very thick layer (6–10 inches) of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, to insulate the soil. However, if a severe or prolonged freeze is predicted, there is a risk of losing them, so many gardeners in this zone choose to lift and store them just to be safe.
When should I start seeing my cannas grow back in the spring?
Cannas are "late bloomers" when it comes to emerging from the soil. They require warm soil temperatures, usually at least 60°F, to start growing. Depending on your location, this might not happen until late May or even June. If the weather has been particularly cool or rainy, expect them to take their time.
Why did my stored canna rhizomes turn mushy?
Mushy rhizomes are typically a sign of rot caused by too much moisture or poor air circulation during storage. This often happens if the rhizomes were not allowed to dry (cure) for a few days before being packed away, or if they were stored in an airtight plastic container. To prevent this, always store them in breathable materials like paper bags or boxes with peat moss.
Do I need to fertilize my cannas every year for them to come back?
While cannas will often grow back without fertilizer, they are "heavy feeders" that perform much better with a nutrient boost. Adding compost to the soil in the spring or using a balanced slow-release fertilizer will give the rhizomes the energy they need to produce large leaves and multiple flower spikes. Stronger plants during the summer also lead to healthier rhizomes for the following year. You can also review Longfield Gardens’ shipping information when planning a future order.
