Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Choosing the Right Variety for Your Space
- Finding the Perfect Location
- When to Plant Your Cannas
- How to Plant Canna Rhizomes
- Growing Cannas in Containers
- Summer Care and Maintenance
- Managing Pests and Common Issues
- Overwintering and Storage
- Designing with Cannas in Your Landscape
- Why We Love Cannas
- FAQ
Introduction
Imagine stepping into your backyard and feeling like you have been transported to a tropical resort. With their oversized, banana-like leaves and brilliant, jewel-toned flowers, cannas are the ultimate way to add drama and height to your landscape. These sun-loving plants are remarkably easy to manage, making them a favorite for both new gardeners and seasoned pros who want maximum impact with minimal fuss. (longfield-gardens.com)
At Longfield Gardens, we appreciate how these fast-growing plants can transform a garden in just one season. Whether you have a sprawling suburban border or a small urban patio, there is a variety that will fit your space perfectly. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully grow cannas, from choosing the right spot to storing your plants for the winter. (longfield-gardens.com)
Our goal is to help you feel confident as you bring these showstoppers into your home garden. By following a few simple steps, you can enjoy a lush, tropical sanctuary all summer long. Growing cannas is a rewarding way to add vertical interest and vibrant color to your outdoor living areas. (longfield-gardens.com)
Choosing the Right Variety for Your Space
Cannas come in a surprising range of sizes and colors. Before you start planting, it helps to understand the different types available. This ensures you pick a plant that will thrive in the space you have allocated. (longfield-gardens.com)
Height and Scale
Standard cannas are the giants of the garden. Varieties like Tropicanna can easily reach 4 to 6 feet in height, with some even pushing toward 8 feet in ideal conditions. These are perfect for the back of a flower bed or for creating a temporary privacy screen. (longfield-gardens.com)
If you have a smaller garden or want to plant in containers, look for dwarf or medium varieties. These typically stay between 2 and 3 feet tall. They provide the same tropical look without overwhelming shorter neighbors. (longfield-gardens.com)
Foliage Patterns
One of the best reasons to grow cannas is the foliage. While many have classic green leaves, others offer striking patterns. Pretoria features yellow and green striped leaves that glow in the sunlight. Other dark-foliage cannas provide a stunning contrast to bright flowers. (longfield-gardens.com)
Flower Colors
Canna flowers are bright and bold. You can find them in shades of fiery red, electric orange, sunny yellow, and soft pink. Some even have bicolor petals with delicate spotting. When choosing your varieties, think about the mood you want to create. Bright oranges and reds feel energetic and tropical, while pinks and soft yellows feel more serene. (longfield-gardens.com)
Key Takeaway: Match the mature height of your chosen variety to its location in the garden. Use tall varieties for back-of-the-border height and dwarf varieties for pots and front-row color. (longfield-gardens.com)
Finding the Perfect Location
Cannas are not shy about their needs. To get those massive leaves and frequent blooms, you must provide them with the right environment. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, so they thrive in heat and moisture. (longfield-gardens.com)
Sunlight is Essential
If you want your plants to reach their full potential, give them plenty of sun. They need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. While they can grow in partial shade, they will likely become "leggy," meaning the stems get tall and weak as they stretch toward the light. You will also see fewer flowers and less vibrant leaf colors in shady spots. (longfield-gardens.com)
Soil and Drainage
These plants are "heavy feeders," which means they use a lot of nutrients from the soil. They prefer rich, fertile soil that stays consistently moist. Unlike many other garden bulbs that rot in wet feet, many canna varieties are quite happy in damp areas. They are even used in water gardens and at the edges of ponds. (longfield-gardens.com)
However, if you are planting in a standard garden bed, it is still a good idea to ensure the soil has plenty of organic matter. Mixing in a few inches of compost before you plant will help the soil hold onto the moisture and nutrients the plants need. (longfield-gardens.com)
Protection from Wind
Because canna leaves are so large and soft, they can act like sails in a storm. In very windy locations, the leaves may tear or look "shredded" by mid-summer. If your yard is prone to strong gusts, try to plant your cannas near a fence, a wall, or a group of sturdy shrubs that can act as a windbreak. (longfield-gardens.com)
When to Plant Your Cannas
Timing is everything when it comes to tropical plants. Cannas are very sensitive to cold, so you should never rush them into the ground while the air or soil is still chilly. (longfield-gardens.com)
The Soil Temperature Rule
A great rule of thumb is to wait until you are ready to plant your tomatoes. This usually happens when the soil temperature has reached a consistent 60°F. In most parts of the United States, this is late spring or early summer. (longfield-gardens.com)
If you plant too early in cold, wet soil, the rhizomes may sit dormant for a long time or even rot before they get a chance to sprout. Waiting for the warmth ensures the plant hits the ground running. (longfield-gardens.com)
Hardiness Zones and Shipping
Cannas are perennials in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 11. In these warmer areas, they can stay in the ground all year. In zones 6 and colder, they are treated as "tender perennials." This means you plant them in the spring and either treat them as annuals or dig them up to store indoors over the winter. (longfield-gardens.com)
We time our shipping at Longfield Gardens to ensure your rhizomes arrive when the weather in your specific zone is getting close to the ideal planting window. This prevents the plants from sitting in a cold garage for too long before they can go outside. See our shipping information for details. (longfield-gardens.com)
Getting an Early Start
If you live in a northern state with a short growing season, you can "start" your cannas indoors. About 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date, plant the rhizomes in pots and keep them in a warm, sunny window or under grow lights. By the time the weather warms up, you will have established plants ready to move into the garden, giving you a head start on the blooming season. (longfield-gardens.com)
How to Plant Canna Rhizomes
Cannas grow from rhizomes, which are thick, horizontal underground stems that store energy. When you receive them, they might look a bit like ginger roots with small bumps or "eyes." (longfield-gardens.com)
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
- Prepare the spot: Loosen the soil to a depth of about 8 to 10 inches. Mix in some compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility. (longfield-gardens.com)
- Dig the hole: Cannas do not need to be planted very deep. A hole that is 2 to 3 inches deep is usually perfect. (longfield-gardens.com)
- Position the rhizome: Lay the rhizome horizontally in the hole. Look for the "eyes" or small growing points. Point these upward. If you cannot tell which side is up, do not worry; the plant will find its way to the surface. (longfield-gardens.com)
- Space them out: Give these plants room to grow. Space tall varieties 18 to 24 inches apart. Smaller varieties can be spaced 12 inches apart. (longfield-gardens.com)
- Cover and water: Fill the hole with soil and firm it down gently with your hands. Water the area thoroughly to settle the soil around the rhizome. (longfield-gardens.com)
What to Expect Next
Cannas are notoriously slow starters. It can take three weeks or even longer to see the first green shoots poking through the soil. Do not be discouraged if they seem to be taking their time. Once the weather stays consistently hot, they will grow remarkably fast, often adding several inches of height every week. (longfield-gardens.com)
What to do next:
- Check your local frost dates to ensure the soil is warm enough.
- Clear the planting area of weeds and debris.
- Amend the soil with 2-3 inches of organic compost.
- Mark the spot with a garden stake so you don't accidentally dig them up before they sprout. (longfield-gardens.com)
Growing Cannas in Containers
If you do not have a large garden bed, cannas are excellent candidates for pots. They bring instant height to a patio and can be moved around to change your look throughout the season. For compact choices, browse the short cannas collection. (longfield-gardens.com)
Choosing the Right Pot
Cannas have vigorous root systems and grow quite large, so you need a substantial container. A pot that is at least 15 to 18 inches in diameter is a good starting point for a single rhizome. If you want to plant a group of three, you will need a very large "estate" sized planter. (longfield-gardens.com)
Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. While cannas love water, they do not want to sit in stagnant, airless mud. (longfield-gardens.com)
Potting Mix
Always use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix rather than garden soil. Potting mix is lighter and allows for better air circulation around the roots. You can also mix in a little bit of slow-release fertilizer at planting time to keep the plants fed. (longfield-gardens.com)
Container Maintenance
Plants in pots dry out much faster than those in the ground. During the hottest part of the summer, you may need to water your potted cannas every single day. If the leaves start to curl or the edges turn brown, it is a sign that the plant needs more frequent watering. (longfield-gardens.com)
Summer Care and Maintenance
Once your cannas are established and growing, they are relatively low-maintenance. However, a little bit of attention will keep them looking lush and blooming until the first frost. (longfield-gardens.com)
Watering for Success
The most important thing to remember about cannas is that they love water. Think of them more like a thirsty vegetable garden than a drought-tolerant shrub. Keep the soil consistently moist. If you are experiencing a dry spell or a heatwave, give them a deep soaking every few days. A layer of mulch around the base of the plants will help hold that moisture in the soil. (longfield-gardens.com)
Fertilizing
Because they grow so much foliage and produce large flowers in a single season, cannas are hungry. In addition to the compost you added at planting time, you can use a balanced liquid fertilizer every month during the growing season. This provides the "fuel" they need to keep pushing out new growth. (longfield-gardens.com)
Deadheading
"Deadheading" is the process of removing faded flowers. Canna flowers grow on a long spike. When an individual blossom starts to wither, you can snip it off to keep the plant looking tidy. (longfield-gardens.com)
Once the entire flower spike has finished blooming, look further down the stem. You will often see a secondary flower bud waiting to emerge. Cut the old spike off just above that new bud. This encourages the plant to put its energy into more flowers rather than creating seed pods. (longfield-gardens.com)
Support
In most cases, cannas have very strong, thick stems that do not need staking. However, if you are growing an exceptionally tall variety in a windy spot, you might want to use a sturdy bamboo stake and some soft garden twine to give it a little extra support. (longfield-gardens.com)
Managing Pests and Common Issues
Cannas are generally quite tough, but there are a few pests that find their large leaves delicious. Leading with the right prevention is always the best approach. (longfield-gardens.com)
Canna Leaf Rollers
These are the most common pests for cannas. They are the larvae of a small butterfly or moth that rolls the leaf into a tube and "sews" it shut with silk to protect itself while it eats. (longfield-gardens.com)
The best way to manage these is to keep a close eye on your plants as new leaves emerge. If you see a leaf that is stuck in a roll and won't open, or if you see straight lines of holes across a leaf, you may have leaf rollers. You can use an organic spray containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which specifically targets caterpillars without harming beneficial insects like bees. (longfield-gardens.com)
Japanese Beetles
In mid-summer, Japanese beetles may stop by to snack on the flowers and leaves. The easiest way to deal with them is to take a bucket of soapy water out to the garden in the morning and simply flick the beetles into the water. They are usually quite sluggish early in the day. (longfield-gardens.com)
Leaf Issues
If you notice yellowing leaves, it is often a sign of either a nutrient deficiency or a watering issue. Check the soil moisture first. If the soil is fine, try a dose of balanced fertilizer. If you see rusty-looking orange spots on the leaves, this may be "canna rust," a fungal issue. This happens most often in very humid climates. To prevent it, try to water the soil at the base of the plant rather than splashing the leaves. (longfield-gardens.com)
Overwintering and Storage
For gardeners in zones 6 and colder, the arrival of fall means it is time to decide what to do with your cannas. You can treat them as annuals and buy fresh ones next year, or you can save the rhizomes to plant again. (longfield-gardens.com)
When to Dig
Wait for the first frost to hit. The cold will turn the canna foliage brown or black—don't worry, the rhizomes underground are still safe. Once the foliage has died back, cut the stems down to about 4 to 6 inches above the ground. (longfield-gardens.com)
Lifting the Rhizomes
Use a garden fork or a shovel to gently lift the clump of rhizomes out of the ground. Be careful to dig several inches away from the stems so you do not slice through the roots. Shake off the excess soil. (longfield-gardens.com)
The Curing Process
Before you pack them away, the rhizomes need to "cure" for a few days. Place them in a dry, frost-free area like a garage or a shed. This allows the outer skin to toughen up slightly, which helps prevent rot during storage. (longfield-gardens.com)
Storage Conditions
Once cured, place the rhizomes in a cardboard box or a plastic bin with ventilation holes. Surround them with a dry material like peat moss, vermiculite, or even shredded newspaper. This keeps them from drying out completely while still allowing them to "breathe."
Store the container in a cool, dark place that stays between 40°F and 50°F. A basement or an insulated crawl space is usually perfect. Check on them once or twice during the winter. If they look shrivelled, give them a very light mist of water. If any look soft or rotten, discard them immediately so the issue doesn't spread. (longfield-gardens.com)
Key Takeaway: Overwintering cannas is a simple four-step process: wait for frost, lift the rhizomes, cure them in a dry spot, and store them in a cool, dark location. (longfield-gardens.com)
Designing with Cannas in Your Landscape
Cannas are versatile design tools. Because they come in so many colors and heights, you can use them to solve various landscaping challenges. (longfield-gardens.com)
Creating Privacy
Because they grow so fast, cannas are excellent for creating seasonal privacy. If you have a patio that feels a bit too exposed to the neighbors, plant a row of tall cannas like Australia along the edge. By mid-July, you will have a 5-foot-tall wall of green and orange that blocks the view and muffles sound. (longfield-gardens.com)
Adding Vertical Interest
Most garden plants are roughly the same height. Cannas break up that horizontal line. Planting a few cannas in the middle of a flower bed draws the eye upward and makes the whole garden feel more dynamic. (longfield-gardens.com)
Texture and Contrast
The broad, flat leaves of a canna provide a wonderful contrast to plants with fine-textured foliage, like ornamental grasses, ferns, or even "airy" flowers like cosmos. The contrast in leaf shape makes both plants stand out more. (longfield-gardens.com)
Color Echoing
Try "echoing" the colors of your cannas with other plants. If you have a Pretoria canna with yellow and green leaves, plant some yellow marigolds or yellow daylilies nearby. This creates a cohesive look that feels professionally designed. (longfield-gardens.com)
Why We Love Cannas
At our trial gardens, we are always impressed by the sheer resilience of these plants. They handle the heat of a New Jersey summer with ease and keep blooming right up until the weather turns cold. (longfield-gardens.com)
We stand behind the quality of our rhizomes with a 100% quality guarantee. We work with trusted growers in Holland and the US to ensure that the plants you receive are healthy, true to variety, and ready to perform in your garden. Our team at Longfield Gardens is always here to help if you have questions about your specific growing conditions. Learn more on our about us and guarantee page. (longfield-gardens.com)
Gardening should be a source of joy, not stress. Cannas embody this philosophy perfectly. They are "easy win" plants that give you a huge return on your investment of time and care. Whether you are planting your very first canna or your fiftieth, the excitement of seeing those first tropical leaves unfurl never gets old. (longfield-gardens.com)
Final Thought: Growing cannas is one of the fastest ways to add a professional, lush look to your yard. By focusing on sun, water, and timing, you can enjoy a spectacular display of color and texture all season long. (longfield-gardens.com)
FAQ
How deep should I plant canna rhizomes?
You should plant canna rhizomes about 2 to 3 inches deep. If you are planting in a container, 3 to 4 inches is acceptable to give the heavy stems more stability. Make sure to cover them completely with soil and firm it down to remove any large air pockets. For more detail, see how deep to plant canna lily bulbs. (longfield-gardens.com)
Why aren't my cannas blooming?
The most common reason for a lack of flowers is not enough sunlight. Cannas need at least 6 hours of direct sun to produce blooms. Other factors include late planting (they need 10–12 weeks to bloom), underwatering, or a lack of nutrients in the soil. Ensure they are getting plenty of water and a boost of fertilizer mid-season. If you want more general gardening help, the Learn hub is a good place to start. (longfield-gardens.com)
Are cannas toxic to pets?
According to the ASPCA, cannas (specifically Canna edulis) are generally considered non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. This makes them a safer choice for households with curious pets compared to "true" lilies, which can be very dangerous. However, it is always a good idea to discourage pets from digging up or chewing on any garden plants. (longfield-gardens.com)
Do I need to soak the rhizomes before planting?
Soaking is not strictly necessary, but some gardeners like to soak their rhizomes in lukewarm water for a few hours before planting to "wake them up." This can help the plant hydrate and may slightly speed up the time it takes for the first shoots to appear. If your soil is already moist and warm, you can skip this step. (longfield-gardens.com)