Table of Contents
- Introduction
- When to Transplant Canna Bulbs
- Why You Should Divide Your Cannas
- How to Dig Up Canna Rhizomes
- Dividing Your Canna Bulbs for More Plants
- Choosing the Perfect New Location
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Replanting
- Transplanting Cannas During the Growing Season
- Managing Cannas in Containers
- Winter Storage: The Temporary Transplant
- Caring for Your Cannas After the Move
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
There is something truly magical about the way canna lilies transform a summer landscape. Their towering stalks, lush tropical foliage, and vibrant blooms bring a bold, exotic feel to any yard. Whether you are looking to move them to a sunnier spot or want to share your garden's success with a neighbor, transplanting canna bulbs is a rewarding and straightforward task.
Browse our Cannas if you want to compare varieties before you start.
At Longfield Gardens, we want every gardener to feel confident when working with these spectacular plants. Cannas are vigorous growers, and they actually benefit from being moved and divided every few years. This process keeps the plants healthy and gives you more flowers to enjoy throughout the season.
This guide will walk you through the best timing, the right tools, and the simple steps needed to move your cannas successfully. From digging and dividing to choosing the perfect new home for your rhizomes, we have you covered. Moving your plants is the best way to refresh your garden and keep your tropical display looking its best.
For more timing details, see What Time of Year Do You Plant Canna Bulbs?.
When to Transplant Canna Bulbs
Timing is one of the most important factors when moving your cannas. The ideal time to transplant depends largely on where you live and the current state of your garden. Because cannas grow from rhizomes—thick, fleshy underground stems—they have a natural cycle of rest and growth that you can use to your advantage.
In most parts of the United States, the best time to transplant or divide cannas is in the early spring. You should wait until the danger of frost has passed and the soil has started to warm up. This is usually the same time you would plant new bulbs. When you move them in the spring, the plants are just waking up and are ready to send out new roots and shoots immediately.
If you live in a warmer climate, such as USDA zones 8 through 11, you have more flexibility. In these regions, cannas can stay in the ground year-round. The best time to move them in these areas is late autumn or early winter after the flowers have finished blooming. This allows the rhizomes to settle into their new home during the cooler months before they begin growing again in the spring.
If you are not sure which zone you are in, check the Hardiness Zone Map.
Key Takeaway: For the best results, transplant cannas in the spring after the soil warms or in the fall once the foliage begins to die back. Spring transplanting is generally the easiest choice for beginners.
Why You Should Divide Your Cannas
It might seem easier to leave your cannas in the same spot forever, but they actually prefer a change of scenery every three to five years. Cannas are prolific growers. Over time, the underground rhizomes multiply and expand. If they are left alone too long, they can become overcrowded.
When cannas become too crowded, they have to compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight. This often leads to smaller leaves and fewer flowers. Overcrowded plants also have less air circulating between their stalks, which can make them more susceptible to common garden pests or mildew.
Transplanting and dividing your cannas is like hitting a "reset" button for the plant. It allows you to remove older, less productive parts of the root system and give the healthy, younger sections more room to thrive. It is also an excellent way to get "free" plants. One large clump of cannas can often be divided into several smaller ones to fill out other parts of your garden.
For more digging tips, read Removing Canna Lily Bulbs: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide.
What to do next:
- Observe your canna patch in mid-summer.
- Note if the center of the clump looks thin or if flowers seem smaller than previous years.
- Plan to divide those specific clumps during the next appropriate planting window.
How to Dig Up Canna Rhizomes
Before you can move your cannas, you need to get them out of the ground safely. While people often call them "bulbs," cannas actually grow from rhizomes, which look a bit like long pieces of ginger root. These rhizomes grow horizontally just beneath the soil surface.
For a deeper walkthrough, see How to Dig Up and Store Canna Lily Bulbs.
Start by cutting back any remaining foliage. If you are moving the plants in the fall or spring, cut the stalks down to about two or three inches above the soil line. This makes the plant much easier to handle and allows you to see exactly where the base of the plant is.
Use a sturdy garden spade or a garden fork to dig around the clump. Do not dig too close to the stalks, or you might slice through the rhizomes. Start digging about six to eight inches away from the outermost stems. Gently push your tool into the soil and lift upward. Work your way around the entire clump until it feels loose. Once the soil is loose, you can lift the entire mass of rhizomes out of the ground.
Dividing Your Canna Bulbs for More Plants
Once the clump is out of the ground, you will likely see a large, tangled mass of roots and rhizomes. This is where the magic of division happens. Most of the time, the rhizomes will have natural joints where they can be easily separated.
Look for "eyes" on the rhizomes. These are small, bumpy points where the new sprouts will emerge. They look very similar to the eyes on a potato. A healthy division should have at least one or two of these eyes and a few attached roots.
You can often pull the rhizomes apart with your hands. If the clump is very dense, use a clean, sharp knife to cut them into sections. It is a good idea to brush off any excess soil so you can see what you are doing. If you find any soft, mushy, or shriveled sections, simply trim those away and discard them. Focus on keeping the firm, healthy pieces for your new planting.
If you need a step-by-step replanting refresher, try How to Replant Canna Bulbs for a Stunning Tropical Garden.
Key Takeaway: Each piece you replant should be firm and have at least one visible "eye" or growing point to ensure a successful start in its new location.
Choosing the Perfect New Location
Cannas are not very picky, but they do have a few specific needs to look their best. When choosing a new spot for your transplanted bulbs, think about where they will be happiest. Right plant, right place is the most important rule for gardening success.
For a bold focal point, Canna Tall Tropicanna Black is a striking tall option.
The first requirement is sunlight. Cannas are tropical sun-lovers. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day to produce those large, colorful leaves and bright flowers. If they are planted in too much shade, they may grow tall and floppy while producing very few blooms.
The second requirement is drainage. Drainage is just a simple way of saying how fast water moves through the soil. While cannas love moisture, they do not like to sit in a puddle. If your chosen spot stays soggy for hours after a rain, it might not be the best place. You can improve your soil by mixing in some compost or organic matter, which helps the soil hold the right amount of moisture while letting the excess drain away.
What to do next:
- Track the sun in your yard for one full day.
- Identify areas that receive at least six hours of unobstructed light.
- Check the soil after a rainstorm to ensure water doesn't pool in that area.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Replanting
Now that you have your healthy divisions and a sunny new spot, it is time to get them back into the ground. Replanting correctly ensures your cannas get off to a fast start. At Longfield Gardens, we recommend a simple approach to planting depth and spacing.
For taller plantings, browse Tall Cannas.
First, dig a hole about four to six inches deep. If you are planting several cannas together, space them about one to two feet apart. Larger, taller varieties need a bit more room to breathe, while smaller dwarf varieties can be planted slightly closer.
For smaller spaces, Short Cannas may be a better fit.
Place the rhizome in the hole horizontally. You want the eyes, or the growing points, to face upward toward the sky. If you can’t tell which side is the top, don't worry too much—the plant will eventually figure out which way is up, but facing the eyes upward gives it a head start. Cover the rhizome with soil and gently pat it down with your hands to remove any large air pockets.
After planting, give the area a good drink of water. This helps settle the soil around the roots and signals to the plant that it is time to start growing.
Transplanting Cannas During the Growing Season
Sometimes you may realize in the middle of summer that a canna is in the wrong place. Perhaps it is blocking a view or getting shaded out by a faster-growing shrub. While it is always best to move plants while they are dormant, you can transplant cannas during the growing season if you take extra care.
If you must move an active plant, try to do it on a cloudy day or in the late evening when the sun is less intense. Dig a very wide circle around the plant to keep as much of the root ball and surrounding soil intact as possible. The goal is to "disturb" the roots as little as possible.
Once moved to the new spot, the plant may look a little wilted for a few days. This is normal. To help it recover, you might want to trim back some of the largest leaves to reduce the amount of water the plant loses through its foliage. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) for the first two weeks while the roots re-establish themselves.
What to do next:
- Prepare the new hole before you dig up the existing plant.
- Water the plant well the day before you plan to move it.
- Move the plant quickly to its new home to keep the roots from drying out.
Managing Cannas in Containers
Transplanting cannas isn't just for garden beds. Many gardeners love growing cannas in large pots to decorate patios or entryways. Moving cannas from a pot to the ground, or from one pot to a larger one, follows nearly the same rules as garden transplanting.
For patio pots, Medium Cannas are a practical fit.
When moving a canna from a container to the garden, gently tip the pot on its side and slide the plant out. If the roots are circling the inside of the pot, use your fingers to gently loosen them. This encourages the roots to grow outward into the new soil rather than continuing to grow in a circle.
If you are moving a canna into a larger pot, make sure the new container has plenty of drainage holes. Use a high-quality potting mix rather than garden soil, as potting mix is designed to drain better in containers. Because plants in pots dry out faster than those in the ground, your transplanted cannas will need more frequent watering during the summer months.
For a compact container choice, Canna Short Pink Magic is a solid option.
Winter Storage: The Temporary Transplant
In many parts of the country, transplanting cannas actually happens twice a year: once when you dig them up in the fall and once when you replant them in the spring. If you live in a zone where the ground freezes (Zone 7 or colder), your cannas won't survive the winter outdoors.
For the full winter-storage routine, see How to Overwinter Canna Lily Bulbs for Spring.
After the first light frost turns the leaves brown, dig up the rhizomes just as you would for a regular transplant. Shake off the soil and cut the stalks back to a few inches. Before putting them away for the winter, let the rhizomes "cure" or dry out in a warm, dry area for about a week. This toughens up the outer skin and helps prevent rot.
Store your "transplanted" rhizomes in a cardboard box filled with peat moss, perlite, or even shredded newspaper. Keep the box in a cool, dark, and frost-free place, like a basement or a heated garage. Check on them once or twice during the winter to make sure they aren't getting too dry or showing signs of mold. This simple storage step allows you to enjoy the same beautiful plants year after year.
Key Takeaway: Treating winter storage as a temporary transplant ensures your favorite varieties stay safe and ready for a spectacular spring comeback.
Caring for Your Cannas After the Move
Once your cannas are in their new home, a little bit of aftercare goes a long way. The first few weeks are the most critical. You want to make sure the soil stays damp so the roots can settle in. However, you should avoid keeping the soil sopping wet, which can cause the rhizomes to rot before they start growing.
As the plants begin to send up new leaves, you can start a regular watering routine. In most climates, cannas appreciate a deep watering once or twice a week. Deep watering means giving the soil a good soak so the water reaches several inches down, rather than just a quick sprinkle on the surface.
If you want to give your plants an extra boost, you can apply a layer of mulch around the base. Mulch—such as shredded bark or compost—helps the soil hold onto moisture and keeps weeds from moving in. It also keeps the soil temperature more consistent, which cannas love.
Conclusion
Transplanting canna bulbs is one of the easiest ways to keep your garden looking fresh and vibrant. By taking the time to move and divide your rhizomes, you ensure that your plants have the space and nutrients they need to reach their full potential. Whether you are expanding your collection or simply finding a better spot for a favorite plant, the process is a rewarding part of the gardening journey.
We at Longfield Gardens believe that gardening should be a source of joy and relaxation. Cannas are incredibly resilient plants that reward a small amount of effort with a massive display of color. Remember these simple takeaways for your next project:
- Transplant in spring or fall for the best results.
- Ensure each division has at least one "eye" for new growth.
- Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well.
- Water deeply but let the soil dry slightly between soakings.
The next time you see your canna patch getting a bit crowded, grab your spade and start digging. It is the perfect opportunity to create a more beautiful landscape and enjoy the tropical beauty of these plants for many seasons to come.
FAQ
Can I transplant canna lilies while they are blooming?
While it is possible to move canna lilies during their bloom cycle, it is not the most ideal time. If you must move them, keep a large root ball intact and provide plenty of water and some shade for a few days after the move to help the plant recover from the stress.
How deep should I plant canna bulbs when transplanting?
Canna rhizomes should be planted about four to six inches deep. If you are in a very hot climate with sandy soil, you can go slightly deeper toward the six-inch mark to help keep the roots cool and moist.
How often should I divide and transplant my cannas?
Most gardeners find that dividing and transplanting cannas every three to five years is perfect. If you notice the plants are becoming overcrowded, producing smaller flowers, or the center of the clump is dying out, it is definitely time for a move.
What should I do if my canna rhizomes look dry when I dig them up?
If the rhizomes look a bit shriveled but are still firm, they are usually fine to transplant. You can soak them in a bucket of lukewarm water for a few hours before planting to help rehydrate them. Discard any rhizomes that feel hollow or mushy, as these likely won't grow.