How to Lift and Store Canna Bulbs for Winter

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. When to Begin Lifting Canna Bulbs
3. Tools for the Job
4. Preparing the Plants for Lifting
5. How to Lift Canna Rhizomes Safely
6. Cleaning and Inspection
7. The Importance of Curing
8. Choosing Your Storage Medium
9. The Ideal Storage Environment
10. Overwintering Cannas in Containers
11. Spring Re-entry: Bringing Cannas Back to Life
12. Common Myths About Lifting Cannas
13. Conclusion
14. FAQ

Introduction

There is nothing quite like the tropical flair of a canna lily in full bloom. Throughout the summer, these plants anchor the garden with their bold, architectural foliage and vibrant flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. As the season winds down and the first hints of autumn arrive, you might wonder how to preserve that tropical beauty for next year. At Longfield Gardens, we want every gardener to feel confident about keeping their favorite plants healthy from one season to the next.

Lifting canna bulbs—which are technically called rhizomes—is a simple and satisfying task that ensures your garden remains a lush paradise year after year. This guide is for anyone who wants to save their cannas in cooler climates where the ground freezes. If you are choosing new plants for next season, take a look at our Tall Cannas collection. By following a few easy steps, you can successfully overwinter these plants and even increase your collection in the process. Taking a little time now to care for your rhizomes means you will have a head start on a beautiful garden when spring returns.

When to Begin Lifting Canna Bulbs

Timing is the most important factor when it comes to lifting cannas. In most parts of the country, cannas are treated as tender perennials. This means they love the heat but cannot survive a deep freeze in the ground. If you are unsure how your climate compares, check the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. Knowing exactly when to pull them out of the soil ensures the plant has stored enough energy to bloom again next summer.

The best signal to start the process comes from nature itself. Wait for the first light frost of the season. You will notice that the lush green or bronze leaves will turn brown or black and look a bit limp after a cold night. This is actually a good thing. The frost tells the plant it is time to go dormant. When the foliage dies back, the energy from the leaves moves down into the rhizome, acting like a battery being charged for the following year.

If you live in an area that does not get frost until very late in the year, you can still lift your cannas in late autumn once the weather stays consistently cool. The goal is to get the rhizomes out of the ground before the soil itself freezes solid. A light surface frost will not hurt the bulbs, but a hard freeze that penetrates the soil can cause damage.

Key Takeaway Wait for the first light frost to blacken the foliage before you start digging. This ensures the rhizome has stored maximum energy for next year’s growth.

Tools for the Job

You do not need a shed full of specialized equipment to lift cannas. A few basic garden tools will make the work quick and easy. Having everything ready before you head out to the garden will help the process go smoothly.

• A garden spade or fork: A sturdy digging fork is often the best choice because it allows you to loosen the soil around the rhizomes without accidentally slicing through them. A sharp-edged spade also works well if you are careful with your placement.
• Pruning shears or a small garden saw: You will need these to cut back the heavy stalks before digging.
• A garden hose: This is helpful for rinsing off excess soil so you can inspect the health of the rhizomes.
• Labels and a waterproof marker: If you grow different varieties, labeling them now is vital. It is very difficult to tell a red-flowering canna from a yellow-flowering one once the stalks are gone.
• Gloves: Cannas can be a bit messy to dig up, so a pair of sturdy gardening gloves will keep your hands clean and protected.

Preparing the Plants for Lifting

Before you put a shovel in the ground, you need to clear the way. Start by cutting the stalks back. Using your pruning shears, cut the stems down so only about two to four inches of the stalk remains above the soil line. These short "stumps" will act as handles when you are lifting the heavy clumps and will help you identify where the center of the plant is.

Once the foliage is cleared, take a moment to remove any mulch or decorative stones from around the base of the plant. This gives you a clear view of the soil and helps you see the edges of the root mass. Canna rhizomes can spread quite wide over a single growing season. If you need a compact option for future planting, browse our Short Cannas collection. What started as one small bulb in the spring might now be a clump the size of a dinner plate or larger.

What to Do Next

• Identify the varieties you want to save.
• Cut the blackened foliage down to 3 inches.
• Clear away mulch to see the base of the plant.
• Have your labels ready to attach to the remaining stalks.

How to Lift Canna Rhizomes Safely

Lifting the rhizomes requires a gentle touch. The goal is to get the entire clump out of the ground without bruising the fleshy "skin" of the bulb. Wounds or deep scratches on the rhizome can become entry points for rot during the winter months. For a broader overview of winter protection, see Winter Storage for Tender Bulbs and Tubers.

Start by placing your garden fork or spade about 8 to 12 inches away from the base of the stalks. This distance helps you avoid hitting the rhizomes directly. Push the tool deep into the soil and gently pry upward. Work your way in a circle around the entire plant, loosening the soil as you go.

Once the soil is loose, you should be able to slide your tool under the center of the clump and lift it upward. For very large, established cannas, the root mass can be surprisingly heavy. Use your tool to do the heavy lifting rather than straining your back. If the clump is too large to lift in one piece, you can carefully use your spade to divide it into two or three smaller sections while it is still in the ground.

After the clump is out of the soil, gently shake it to remove large clods of dirt. You can also use your fingers to brush away loose soil. At this stage, you will see the thick, sausage-like rhizomes and the smaller roots branching off them.

Cleaning and Inspection

Once the cannas are out of the ground, they need a bit of grooming. Some gardeners prefer to let the soil dry and then brush it off, while others find it easier to use a garden hose to wash the rhizomes clean. Rinsing them off allows you to see the health of the plant more clearly. You can also revisit our How to Care for Canna Lily Bulbs guide for more seasonal care details.

Look for "eyes" on the rhizomes. These are the small, pointed bumps where new growth will emerge in the spring. A healthy rhizome should feel firm and heavy for its size. If you notice any soft, mushy spots or areas that look shriveled and dry, use a clean knife to trim those parts away. Removing damaged sections now prevents problems from spreading to the healthy parts of the bulb during storage.

At this point, we recommend a simple division if the clumps have become unmanageable. You don't need to break them down into tiny pieces yet, but separating huge masses into sections with three to five "eyes" each makes storage much easier. Each section you save will grow into a full-sized plant next year.

The Importance of Curing

Curing is a step that many new gardeners skip, but it is the secret to long-term storage success. Curing is simply the process of letting the rhizomes air-dry for a short period before packing them away. This allows the outer skin to toughen up and any cuts made during the lifting process to "callus" over. If you want a step-by-step refresher, see How to Store Canna Bulbs for the Winter.

Find a dry, well-ventilated spot that is protected from frost and direct sunlight. A garage, a shed, or even a covered porch works perfectly. Lay the rhizomes out in a single layer on a piece of cardboard or a newspaper. Do not stack them, as you want air to circulate around every part of the plant.

Let the cannas sit for about five to seven days. During this time, the remaining soil will dry out completely, and the outer surface of the rhizome will become slightly firm. This protective layer acts as a barrier against moisture loss and disease. Once the curing is complete, you can snip off any long, stringy roots that are still hanging from the rhizome, as these are no longer needed.

Key Takeaway Curing for 5–7 days in a dry, shaded area is essential. It toughens the skin of the rhizome, which prevents rot and helps the plant survive its winter dormancy.

Choosing Your Storage Medium

When it comes to storing canna bulbs, the goal is to keep them "just right." If they are too wet, they will rot. If they are too dry, they will shrivel up and lose their vitality. At Longfield Gardens, we have found that using a packing material helps maintain this delicate balance.

There are several effective materials you can use to nestle your cannas for the winter:

• Peat Moss: This is a classic choice. It is lightweight and has a natural ability to hold a tiny bit of moisture without becoming soggy.
• Vermiculite or Perlite: These mineral-based materials provide excellent aeration and are very clean to work with.
• Wood Shavings: Often sold as pet bedding, kiln-dried pine shavings are a great, inexpensive option that keeps the rhizomes dry and separated.
• Newspaper: If you prefer a simpler approach, you can wrap each rhizome individually in a few layers of dry newspaper.

Place a layer of your chosen material in the bottom of a cardboard box, a plastic bin with the lid left slightly ajar, or even a breathable burlap bag. Lay the rhizomes on top, making sure they are not touching each other. Covering them with another layer of material ensures that if one rhizome does happen to develop a soft spot, the issue won't easily spread to its neighbors.

The Ideal Storage Environment

Where you keep your stored cannas is just as important as how you pack them. They need a location that is cool and dark, but it must stay above freezing. The ideal temperature range is between 40°F and 50°F.

A cool basement, a crawl space, or an insulated garage are usually the best spots. Avoid places like an attic, which can get too hot during a sunny winter day, or an uninsulated shed, where the temperatures might drop below freezing at night. If the storage area is too warm, the cannas might try to start growing too early. If it is too cold, the cells inside the rhizome can freeze and turn to mush.

We suggest checking on your stored cannas once a month. This only takes a few minutes but can save your entire collection. Reach into the box and feel a few of the rhizomes. If they feel extremely dry and shriveled, you can lightly mist the storage medium with a little bit of water—just enough to add a hint of humidity. If you find any that have turned soft, remove them immediately and discard them.

What to Do Next

• Choose a storage container (cardboard boxes are excellent for airflow).
• Fill with a dry medium like peat moss or wood shavings.
• Find a cool, dark spot that stays between 40°F and 50°F.
• Set a monthly reminder on your calendar to check for rot or dryness.

Overwintering Cannas in Containers

If you grow your cannas in large pots or decorative containers, you have an even easier option. You do not necessarily have to dig the rhizomes out of the soil. Instead, you can store the entire pot.

Once the frost has hit the foliage, cut the stalks down to the soil level as you would with garden-planted cannas. Move the entire container into a cool, frost-free area like a basement or a garage. Stop watering the pot entirely. The soil will dry out, and the plant will go into a deep sleep. If you are planning new container displays for next year, the How to Care for Canna Lily Bulbs guide is a helpful next step.

In the spring, you can bring the pot back out into the sun, give it a good soak of water, and wait for the new shoots to appear. Keep in mind that cannas grow very quickly. After a year or two in the same pot, the rhizomes will likely become crowded and will eventually need to be tipped out, divided, and replanted with fresh soil to keep them blooming at their best.

Spring Re-entry: Bringing Cannas Back to Life

When the days start to get longer and the danger of frost has passed, it is time to wake up your cannas. This usually happens in late spring when the soil temperature has warmed up to at least 60°F. Cannas are tropical plants, and they will sit idle in cold, wet spring soil, so there is no rush to plant them too early.

If you want to get a head start, you can "start" your rhizomes indoors about four to six weeks before your last frost date. Place them in pots with a little potting soil and keep them in a warm, bright spot. Before you plant, it can also help to review our Shipping Information so you can plan your timing around your zone. By the time it is safe to plant them outside, you will already have several inches of green growth.

When planting in the garden, choose a spot with full sun and rich, well-draining soil. Plant the rhizomes about 4 inches deep with the "eyes" pointing up. Give them plenty of room to grow—usually 1 to 2 feet apart depending on the variety. With a little water and warmth, they will quickly transform from dormant roots into the stunning garden showstoppers you remember from the previous summer.

Common Myths About Lifting Cannas

There is a lot of advice available online about cannas, and some of it can make the process sound more complicated than it really is. One common myth is that you must wash the rhizomes with a bleach solution to prevent rot. In reality, as long as you cure the rhizomes properly and store them in a dry medium, chemical treatments are usually unnecessary for the home gardener.

Another misconception is that cannas can never survive the winter in the ground in Zone 7. While Zone 7 is the "borderline" area, many gardeners find that with a heavy 6-to-8-inch layer of mulch, cannas can survive in the ground in these regions, especially if they are planted near a south-facing wall. If you are deciding where to garden or shop, the USDA Hardiness Zone Map can help you plan. However, if you have a variety you truly love, lifting and storing them is the only way to be 100% sure they will return.

Finally, don't worry if the rhizomes break apart while you are digging. As long as a piece has at least one healthy "eye," it has the potential to grow into a brand-new plant. Breaking them is actually how you propagate cannas, so consider it a way to get more plants for free.

Conclusion

Lifting and storing canna bulbs is a rewarding ritual that marks the end of one growing season and the promise of the next. It is a simple, effective way to protect your investment and ensure that your garden continues to glow with tropical color year after year. If you are ready to shop for more next-season options, revisit our Tall Cannas collection. By paying attention to the timing of the first frost, allowing the rhizomes to cure, and providing a cool, dry winter home, you are setting yourself up for gardening success.

At Longfield Gardens, we believe that gardening should be a source of joy and relaxation. Saving your cannas is not a difficult chore, but rather a way to stay connected to your garden even during the coldest months of the year. When you see those first green spears poking through the soil next spring, you will be glad you took these simple steps.

• Wait for frost to signal dormancy before lifting.
• Cure rhizomes for a week to toughen the skin.
• Store in a cool, dark, frost-free location.
• Check monthly for health and moisture levels.

To get the best results, always prioritize a dry storage environment and a consistent, cool temperature. With just a little bit of care, your cannas will be ready to dazzle you again next summer.

FAQ

How long can canna bulbs stay out of the ground?

Canna rhizomes can stay out of the ground for the entire winter season, typically five to six months. As long as they are kept in a cool, dark place and protected from both freezing and complete desiccation, they will remain dormant and healthy until it is time to replant them in the spring.

Do I have to wash the dirt off canna rhizomes before storing?

While it isn't strictly necessary to wash them perfectly clean, removing large clumps of soil is highly recommended. Washing with a hose allows you to inspect the rhizomes for rot or pests more easily. If you do wash them, ensure you follow the curing process to let them dry completely before packing them away.

What happens if I don't lift my cannas and it freezes?

If you live in USDA Zone 7 or colder and leave your cannas in the ground without significant protection, the freezing temperatures will likely turn the rhizomes into mush. Once the internal cells of the rhizome freeze, the plant cannot recover. In these climates, lifting is the most reliable way to ensure their survival.

Can I store canna bulbs in plastic bags?

You can use plastic bags, but they must have holes for ventilation. If a plastic bag is sealed tight, moisture will be trapped inside, which almost always leads to rot. We recommend using breathable containers like cardboard boxes, paper bags, or burlap sacks for the best results.