Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding When to Dig Canna Lilies
- Preparing Your Cannas for Storage
- The Curing Process
- Choosing the Right Storage Medium
- Selecting the Ideal Storage Location
- Monitoring Your Cannas Throughout Winter
- Storing Cannas Grown in Containers
- Dividing Cannas for More Plants
- Transitioning to Spring Planting
- Why We Love Saving Cannas
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
There is nothing quite like the tropical flair that canna lilies bring to a summer garden. Their bold, oversized leaves and vibrant blossoms create a vacation-like atmosphere right in your own backyard. If you live in a region with cold winters, you don't have to say goodbye to these stunning plants when the temperature drops. Saving them for next year is a rewarding way to preserve your favorite colors and see your collection grow even larger over time. If you want to add more, browse our Cannas collection.
At Longfield Gardens, we enjoy helping gardeners find easy ways to keep their landscapes beautiful year after year. For a broader look at planning and growing these plants, see All About Cannas. Learning how to store canna lily bulbs is a simple skill that ensures these heat-loving plants return to your garden every spring. This guide is for any home gardener who wants to protect their investment and enjoy a bigger, better floral display next season. With just a little bit of autumn preparation, you can keep your cannas healthy and dormant until it is time to plant again.
Understanding When to Dig Canna Lilies
The first step in the storage process is knowing exactly when to bring your plants indoors. Canna lilies are tropical plants that thrive in warm weather. In USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10, they can often stay in the ground year-round with a thick layer of mulch. If you're not sure of your zone, check the USDA hardiness zone map. However, for those of us in zones 7 and colder, the freezing winter temperatures will damage the tender rhizomes if they are left in the garden.
You should wait until the first light frost of autumn to begin the process. A light frost will turn the leaves brown or black, which is a signal to the plant that it is time to rest. This frost also tells the plant to move its remaining energy down into the rhizomes, which are the thick, fleshy structures often called bulbs. Waiting for this natural cue helps ensure the plant has enough stored food to survive the winter and bloom vigorously the following summer.
If you live in a very cold climate where the ground freezes quickly, aim to dig them up shortly after that first frost. You want the foliage to be dead, but you must get the rhizomes out of the earth before the soil itself freezes solid. Freezing soil can turn the rhizomes into mush, making them unable to grow when spring arrives.
Preparing Your Cannas for Storage
Once the frost has nipped the foliage, it is time to get to work. You do not need fancy equipment for this task. A standard garden spade or a sturdy garden fork will work perfectly. If you want a taller display next season, browse our Tall Cannas.
Cutting Back the Foliage
Before you reach for your shovel, clear away the spent top growth. Use a pair of clean garden shears to cut the stalks down. Leave about two to four inches of the stem attached to the rhizome. This small "handle" makes it easier to move the plants around and helps you remember which side is the top when it comes time to replant in the spring.
Lifting the Rhizomes
Start digging about six to eight inches away from the base of the plant. Canna rhizomes can spread quite a bit during a single growing season, and you want to avoid hitting them with your shovel blade. Gently loosen the soil all the way around the clump before attempting to lift it.
Once the soil is loose, slide your tool underneath the clump and pry it upward. You will likely find that a single plant has turned into a large, heavy mass of rhizomes. This is one of the most exciting parts of gardening, as it shows just how much your plants have thrived over the summer.
Cleaning and Trimming
After lifting the clumps, gently shake them to remove the majority of the garden soil. You can use your hands to brush away stubborn dirt, but be careful not to skin the outer surface of the rhizome. Some gardeners prefer to rinse their cannas with a garden hose to get them completely clean. If you choose to wash them, ensure they have plenty of time to dry afterward.
While you are cleaning, take a moment to inspect the rhizomes. If you see any soft spots or areas that look damaged, you can trim them away with a clean knife. This is also a good time to trim off any long, thin roots trailing from the bottom of the fleshy rhizomes.
Next Steps for Success
- Cut stalks to about 3 inches above the soil line.
- Dig in a wide circle to avoid slicing the rhizomes.
- Gently remove loose soil by hand or with a soft brush.
- Inspect each clump for firm, healthy tissue.
The Curing Process
Curing is a vital step that many people overlook. It simply means allowing the rhizomes to air dry in a protected area for a few days before you pack them away. This process allows the "skin" of the rhizome to toughen up, which acts as a natural barrier against disease and moisture loss.
Find a spot that is dry, well-ventilated, and out of direct sunlight. A garage, a shed, or even a covered porch works well, provided the temperatures stay above freezing. Spread the rhizomes out in a single layer so they aren't touching each other.
Let the cannas sit for about three to seven days. You will notice the exterior becoming slightly more papery and dry to the touch. This drying period is essential because packing wet rhizomes directly into a box can lead to mold and rot. If you washed your cannas with a hose, they might need the full week to ensure all the nooks and crannies are dry.
Choosing the Right Storage Medium
Once your canna lily bulbs are cured, they need a cozy place to sleep for the winter. The goal of storage is to keep them cool and dark while maintaining just enough moisture so they don't shrivel up completely. You have several options for packing materials, and most of them are very inexpensive. For a big planting next season, try the Canna Assorted Mix - Bulk Offer.
Peat Moss or Vermiculite
One of the most popular methods is to use slightly damp peat moss or vermiculite. These materials are excellent at regulating moisture. Place a layer of the material in the bottom of a cardboard box or a plastic bin with air holes. Arrange the rhizomes so they are not touching, then cover them with more peat moss.
Newspaper or Paper Bags
For a very simple approach, you can wrap each rhizome individually in a few sheets of newspaper. The paper provides a cushion and helps prevent any rot from spreading from one plant to another. You can then stack the wrapped rhizomes in a cardboard box. This method is excellent for gardeners with limited space because it is clean and easy to manage.
Plastic Bags with Ventilation
Some gardeners prefer using plastic grocery bags or storage bags. If you use plastic, it is crucial to poke several holes in the sides to allow for air circulation. Without air, the moisture trapped inside the bag will likely cause the rhizomes to rot. Adding a handful of dry wood shavings or peat moss to the bag can help balance the humidity.
Selecting the Ideal Storage Location
The location where you keep your boxes of cannas is just as important as how you pack them. Cannas need a spot that is consistently cool but never reaches the freezing point. The ideal temperature range is between 40°F and 50°F.
A cool basement is often the best choice for most home gardeners. It stays dark and the temperature usually remains steady throughout the winter. An attached garage can also work, but you must be certain the temperature doesn't drop too low during a cold snap. If the space is too warm, the cannas may try to sprout prematurely, which wastes the energy they need for spring growth.
Avoid storing your cannas in the attic, as these spaces tend to fluctuate wildly in temperature. Crawl spaces can be a good option if they stay dry. Always keep the boxes off the floor by placing them on a shelf or a wooden pallet. This protects them from any dampness that might seep through a concrete floor.
Monitoring Your Cannas Throughout Winter
Gardening doesn't completely stop in the winter; it just moves indoors. It is a good idea to check on your stored canna lily bulbs about once a month. This small effort can save your entire collection if a problem starts to develop.
Open your storage boxes and look for any signs of trouble. If a rhizome feels very light and looks shriveled like a raisin, it might be getting too dry. You can give it a very light misting of water to help it plump back up. Be careful not to overdo it, as you don't want the packing material to become soggy.
If you find a rhizome that feels soft or mushy, remove it immediately. Rot can spread quickly through a box, and taking out one bad bulb can protect the rest of the group. If only a small tip of a rhizome is soft, you can sometimes cut that part off and let the healthy part air dry before putting it back.
Winter Check-In Checklist
- Feel the rhizomes to ensure they are firm and heavy.
- Look for any white or green mold on the surface.
- Adjust moisture levels with a light misting if they look shriveled.
- Remove any specimens that show signs of significant rot.
Storing Cannas Grown in Containers
If you grow your cannas in pots, the storage process is even easier. You don't necessarily have to dig the rhizomes out of the soil. Instead, you can store the entire container. This is a great time-saver for busy gardeners and works well for smaller varieties. If you want a container-friendly choice, Canna Medium Banana Punch is a good fit.
Wait for the first frost to kill back the foliage, then cut the stems down to the soil level as you would with garden-grown plants. Move the entire pot to your cool, dark storage location. You do not need to water the pot during the winter. The soil will dry out, and the plant will go into a deep dormancy.
In the spring, you can simply bring the pot back into the light, give it a good soak with water, and wait for the new shoots to emerge. Eventually, the rhizomes will become crowded in the pot, and you will need to dig them up to divide them, but they can usually stay in the same container for a couple of years.
Dividing Cannas for More Plants
One of the greatest benefits of storing your canna lily bulbs is that they multiply. What started as one plant in the spring often becomes a large clump by the fall. You can divide these clumps to create new plants for your garden or to share with friends and neighbors. If you want a classic scarlet option, Canna Medium The President is a great one to try.
You can divide the rhizomes either in the fall before you store them or in the spring before you plant them. Most gardeners find it easiest to wait until spring. When you are ready to divide, look for "eyes" on the rhizomes. These are the small, rounded bumps where new growth will emerge. For replanting, How Far Apart Do You Plant Canna Bulbs? is a helpful follow-up.
Use a clean, sharp knife to cut the rhizomes into smaller pieces. Each piece should have at least one or two healthy eyes and a good amount of the fleshy root attached. If you divide them in the fall, let the cut surfaces dry for a day before packing them away. If you divide them in the spring, you can plant the pieces directly into the soil once the weather is warm.
Transitioning to Spring Planting
When the days start to get longer and the threat of frost has passed, it is time to wake up your cannas. This transition is an exciting moment in the gardening calendar. For a dark-leaved standout, browse Canna Tall Tropicanna Black. If you want a head start on the season, you can begin the process indoors about four to six weeks before your area's last expected frost date.
Waking Them Up
Remove the rhizomes from their storage boxes and inspect them one last time. They should still feel firm. If you haven't divided them yet, now is the perfect time to do so. For an early-start walkthrough, see Starting Canna Lily Bulbs Indoors. Some gardeners like to soak the rhizomes in lukewarm water for a few hours before planting to rehydrate them and encourage faster growth.
Starting Indoors vs. Outdoors
In colder zones, starting cannas in pots indoors allows you to enjoy flowers much earlier in the summer. Place the rhizomes in pots filled with high-quality potting soil. Position them so the eyes are facing upward and cover them with about two inches of soil. Place the pots in a warm, sunny window.
If you prefer to plant directly into the garden, wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F. Cannas love heat, and planting them in cold, wet soil can cause them to sit idle or even rot. Choose a spot with full sun—at least six hours of direct light—to ensure the most vibrant leaf colors and the best blooms. For planting depth specifics, see How Far Down Do You Plant Canna Bulbs?.
Why We Love Saving Cannas
Saving canna bulbs is more than just a way to save money. It allows you to develop a relationship with your plants over many years. You might find that a certain variety performs exceptionally well in your specific soil or microclimate. If you want to replant your divisions with the right spacing, How Far Apart Do You Plant Canna Bulbs? is a helpful follow-up. By storing and replanting those specific rhizomes, you are essentially selecting the best plants for your own unique garden.
At Longfield Gardens, we believe that gardening is most enjoyable when it feels achievable and rewarding. The process of digging, curing, and storing is a quiet, meditative way to wrap up the gardening season. It provides a sense of continuity, connecting the beauty of last summer to the potential of the next.
Storage Key Takeaway Success comes down to three things: a light frost to trigger dormancy, a few days of curing to protect the skin, and a cool, dark place to rest.
Conclusion
Storing your canna lily bulbs is a simple and effective way to ensure your garden remains a tropical paradise year after year. By following these easy steps—waiting for the frost, curing the rhizomes, and choosing a cool storage spot—you can successfully overwinter these beautiful plants regardless of your climate. It is a wonderful feeling to open your storage boxes in the spring and find healthy rhizomes ready to jump back into growth. If you're planning future shipments, review our Shipping Information.
We take pride in providing high-quality plants and the knowledge you need to help them thrive at Longfield Gardens. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, the cycle of the seasons is part of what makes gardening so special. Taking the time to care for your bulbs during the winter months is a small investment that pays off with a spectacular show of color and foliage every summer. We also back every order with our 100% Quality Guarantee.
- Wait for a light frost to signal the start of dormancy.
- Cure the rhizomes for several days before packing them away.
- Store in a cool, dark place between 40°F and 50°F.
- Check your stored bulbs monthly for any signs of rot or dryness.
Protecting your canna lilies for the winter is a simple act of preparation that leads to a lifetime of beautiful, tropical blooms in your home landscape.
FAQ
Can I store my canna lily bulbs in a garage?
A garage can be an excellent storage spot if it stays cool but does not freeze. If your garage is uninsulated and temperatures drop below 32°F, the rhizomes will likely be damaged. It is best to place the storage boxes against an interior wall or in a spot that stays consistently between 40°F and 50°F.
Do I need to wash the dirt off the rhizomes before storing?
While you don't have to wash them, removing the majority of the soil is highly recommended. Soil can hold excess moisture which might lead to rot during the winter months. If you do choose to wash them with a hose, make sure they are given plenty of time to dry completely during the curing process before you pack them in boxes.
How often should I water my canna bulbs during the winter?
You should not water them in the traditional sense. Canna rhizomes are dormant during the winter and do not need active watering. However, if you check them and notice they look extremely shriveled or feel very light, you can lightly mist the packing material with a spray bottle to provide a tiny bit of humidity.
What should I do if my cannas start sprouting in February?
If your cannas start to sprout early, it usually means your storage location is a bit too warm. Move the boxes to a cooler spot if possible. If the sprouts are small, you can leave them alone; however, if they grow several inches long, you may need to pot them up and grow them as houseplants near a sunny window until it is warm enough to move them outside.