Introduction
There is nothing quite like the sight of a canna lily in full bloom during the peak of summer. With their tropical, oversized foliage and vibrant, torch-like flowers, they transform any backyard into a lush getaway. Many gardeners fall in love with these plants and immediately wonder if that beauty is a one-time event or a recurring highlight of the season.
At Longfield Gardens, we want to help you enjoy these spectacular plants year after year. The good news is that canna lilies are perennials, which means they are naturally designed to grow back. However, whether they can do that on their own depends entirely on your local winter weather.
This guide is for any gardener who wants to know if their cannas will return next spring and what simple steps can ensure they do. Whether you live in a sunny southern climate or a chilly northern one, you can keep your cannas thriving for many seasons to come. Your success with these plants depends mostly on understanding how they handle the cold.
Understanding the Canna Lily Life Cycle
To understand if a canna lily will grow back, it helps to know how the plant is built. Cannas are not true lilies. They grow from thick, fleshy underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes act as a storage tank for the plant, holding energy and nutrients throughout the year.
In the spring, these rhizomes send up shoots that turn into the tall, leafy stalks we love. Throughout the summer, the plant uses sunlight to create energy, which it pumps back down into the rhizome. This process allows the rhizome to grow larger and often multiply. When the growing season ends, the top of the plant dies back, but the rhizome remains alive underground.
Because they are "tender perennials," cannas are sensitive to freezing temperatures. In their native tropical environments, they grow all year or rest during dry spells. In a home garden, their ability to "wake up" in the spring depends on whether that underground rhizome stayed warm enough during the winter.
The Role of USDA Hardiness Zones
The easiest way to predict if your cannas will grow back on their own is to check your USDA hardiness zone. These zones are based on the average minimum winter temperature in your area. For canna lilies, the "magic number" for winter survival is usually Zone 8.
Zones 8 to 11: Natural Return
In these warmer regions, canna lilies are reliable perennials. The ground rarely freezes deep enough to reach the rhizomes. You can simply leave them in the garden. When the foliage turns brown in late fall or after a light frost, you can cut the stalks down to the ground. In the spring, as the soil warms up, new shoots will emerge from the same spot.
Zones 3 to 7: A Little Extra Help
In these cooler regions, the ground freezes deep enough to kill the fleshy rhizomes. If you leave cannas in the ground through a northern winter, they will likely turn to mush and will not grow back. However, this does not mean you have to buy new ones every year. Gardeners in these zones simply "lift" the rhizomes in the fall and store them indoors where it is warm. This keeps the plant in a dormant state until it is safe to plant again in the spring.
Key Takeaway: Canna lilies are perennials by nature, but their ability to survive the winter in the ground depends on your local climate. In colder zones, they need to be moved indoors to return the following year.
How to Help Cannas Return in Warm Climates
If you live in Zone 8 or warmer, your cannas are likely to be very happy staying right where they are. However, even in warm climates, a few simple care steps will ensure they come back stronger and more beautiful each year.
Winter Mulching
Even in the south, an unusually cold snap can occasionally chill the soil. Applying a three-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or straw, over the planting area provides an extra layer of insulation. This protects the rhizomes from temperature swings and helps maintain consistent moisture.
Cutting Back Foliage
Once the leaves have turned yellow or brown in the late autumn, it is best to cut the stems down to about two or three inches above the soil line. Removing the old, dead foliage helps prevent pests or diseases from overwintering in the garden bed. It also keeps your garden looking tidy during the winter months.
Dividing for Vitality
Cannas are vigorous growers. Over two or three years, a single rhizome can turn into a large, crowded clump. If the plants become too crowded, they may produce fewer flowers or smaller leaves. Every few years, we recommend digging up the clump in early spring and breaking the rhizomes apart. Replanting them with more space gives each plant the room it needs to flourish.
Bringing Cannas Back in Cold Climates (Lifting and Storing)
For those of us in the North, making cannas "grow back" requires a simple process called lifting. This sounds technical, but it is actually a very straightforward afternoon project. Following these steps ensures your favorite varieties survive the winter.
Wait for the First Frost
The best time to dig up your cannas is right after the first frost has blackened the leaves. This frost sends a signal to the plant to move all its energy down into the rhizome for dormancy. Do not worry if the leaves look a bit messy; this is a natural part of the cycle.
Digging and Cleaning
Using a garden fork or spade, carefully dig around the clump. Aim for about a foot away from the stalks to avoid slicing the rhizomes. Gently lift the entire mass out of the ground. You can shake off the loose soil, but there is no need to scrub them perfectly clean. Avoid using a hose to wash them, as too much moisture can lead to rot during storage.
The Curing Process
Before putting them away for the winter, the rhizomes need to "cure." Place them in a dry, frost-free area like a garage or shed for a few days. This allows the outer skin to toughen up slightly. After a few days, cut the remaining stalks down to about an inch or two above the rhizome.
Winter Storage
Place the rhizomes in a breathable container, such as a cardboard box, a plastic bin with air holes, or a paper bag. To keep them from drying out completely, we suggest nesting them in slightly damp peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings. Store the box in a cool, dark place where the temperature stays between 40°F and 50°F. A cool basement or an insulated crawl space is usually perfect.
What to Do Next: Lifting Cannas
- Wait for the first frost to turn foliage brown.
- Dig up the rhizomes carefully, keeping the clump intact.
- Let them dry in a sheltered spot for two to three days.
- Store in a box with peat moss in a cool, dark location.
- Check once or twice during winter to ensure they aren't too dry.
Replanting for the New Season
When the birds start singing and the soil begins to warm in the spring, it is time to think about getting your cannas back into the garden. Timing is the most important factor here. Because cannas love heat, they do not like being put into cold, soggy spring soil.
The Right Start Time
Wait until the danger of frost has completely passed. A good rule of thumb is to plant cannas at the same time you would plant tomatoes or peppers. If you want a head start, you can plant the rhizomes in pots indoors about four to six weeks before the last frost date. This gives them a "jump start" so they bloom earlier in the summer.
Choosing the Spot
To ensure they grow back with plenty of energy, pick a spot with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. Cannas are hungry plants, so they appreciate soil that has been improved with a bit of compost or well-rotted manure. They also enjoy consistent moisture, making them a great choice for areas of the yard that stay a bit damp.
Planting Depth and Spacing
Plant the rhizomes about four inches deep. If you can see the "eyes" (the small bumps where new growth starts), aim those upward. If you aren't sure which way is up, don't worry—the plant will figure it out. Space standard varieties about two feet apart to give them room to spread throughout the summer.
Canna Lilies in Containers
Many gardeners choose to grow cannas in large pots to add height and drama to a patio. These cannas can also grow back every year with very little effort. For more guidance, see this guide to growing cannas in pots.
If you live in a cold climate, you have two options for overwintering container-grown cannas. You can dig the rhizomes out of the pot and store them as described above. Alternatively, you can simply move the entire pot into a frost-free garage or basement.
If you store the whole pot, stop watering it entirely and let the soil dry out. In the spring, move the pot back outside, give it a good soak, and the rhizomes will usually begin to sprout within a few weeks. Every two years, it is a good idea to refresh the soil and divide the rhizomes to prevent them from becoming "root-bound" in the container.
Why Some Cannas Might Not Return
While cannas are generally very reliable, there are a few reasons why they might fail to grow back. Identifying these issues is simple and helps you avoid them in the future.
- Excessive Winter Moisture: In warm zones where cannas stay in the ground, very wet winter soil can cause the rhizomes to rot. If your garden has heavy clay that stays soggy, consider planting cannas in raised beds or improved soil to ensure better drainage.
- Storage Temperatures: If stored rhizomes get too cold (freezing) or too warm (above 60°F), they may die or begin to sprout prematurely and exhaust their energy.
- Drying Out: During winter storage, rhizomes can occasionally shrivel if the air is too dry. If they look like raisins, they may not have enough energy to sprout. A quick misting of the storage medium (like peat moss) once or twice during the winter can prevent this.
- Planting Too Early: If rhizomes are planted in cold, wet soil in early spring, they may rot before they have a chance to grow. Waiting for warm soil is the best way to ensure success.
Enhancing the Return Performance
Once your cannas have successfully returned for the season, you can take a few steps to make sure they put on their best possible show. Since cannas are "heavy feeders," they benefit from a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the peak of summer.
Deadheading, which is the practice of removing faded flowers, is another easy win. When a flower spike finishes blooming, cut it back to just above the next side bud. This encourages the plant to produce a secondary flush of flowers rather than spending energy on seed production.
We find that keeping the soil consistently moist is the secret to those massive, tropical leaves. While cannas are tough and can handle some dry spells, they really thrive when they have plenty of water to support their fast growth.
Choosing Varieties That Return Well
At Longfield Gardens, we offer many varieties of cannas, and they all share the same perennial nature. You can browse tall cannas when choosing plants for the back of a border.
Standard varieties, which can reach five or six feet tall, are magnificent at the back of a flower border. If you are lifting these in the fall, be prepared for a larger root mass. Dwarf varieties, which stay around two to three feet tall, are much easier to handle if you plan on growing them in containers or need to lift them for winter storage in a small space.
Whether you choose a variety with classic green leaves, dramatic dark purple foliage, or striped "Picasso" patterns, the storage and return process remains the same. The beauty of cannas is that once you have a variety you love, you can keep it in your garden family for decades.
Growing Cannas for the Long Term
Gardening is most rewarding when we see our efforts return year after year. Canna lilies offer a high return on investment because they are so easy to preserve. There is a special satisfaction in planting a rhizome in the spring that you carefully tucked away for the winter months.
By matching your care routine to your USDA zone, you take the guesswork out of the process. Gardening doesn't have to be a series of complicated rules. For cannas, it really comes down to one simple idea: keep the "energy tank" (the rhizome) from freezing or rotting, and the plant will do the rest.
We have seen canna clumps passed down through generations of gardeners. Because they multiply so readily, they are the perfect plant for sharing with neighbors and friends. Every time you divide your returning cannas, you have the opportunity to start a new tropical corner in your yard or help a fellow gardener start their own.
Conclusion
Canna lilies are a wonderful way to bring a bold, tropical feel to any landscape. While they are sensitive to the cold, their perennial nature means they are more than happy to return and brighten your garden every summer. By simply protecting the rhizomes from winter's chill—either with mulch in the south or by lifting them in the north—you ensure a spectacular display year after year.
- Determine your zone to decide if cannas can stay in the ground or need to come inside.
- Wait for frost before digging up rhizomes in cold climates to ensure they are fully dormant.
- Store in a cool, dry place using a breathable medium like peat moss to keep rhizomes healthy.
- Divide every few years to maintain plant vigor and encourage more blooms.
The secret to canna lily success isn't a "green thumb," but rather a simple understanding of the seasons. By protecting the roots in winter and providing sun and water in summer, you can enjoy these tropical beauties for a lifetime.
If you are ready to add some vibrant color to your yard, we invite you to explore the canna lily collection at Longfield Gardens. Starting with high-quality rhizomes is the first step toward a garden that grows more beautiful with each passing year.
FAQ
Will canna lilies grow back if the ground freezes?
If the frost only reaches the surface, the rhizomes may survive if they are buried deep enough or heavily mulched. However, if the ground freezes down to the depth of the rhizome (which happens in Zones 7 and colder), the plant will likely die and will not grow back. To be safe in cold climates, it is best to dig them up and store them indoors.
How many years do canna lilies last?
Canna lilies can live indefinitely if they are cared for properly. Because the rhizomes naturally multiply every year, you can continue to divide and replant them, effectively creating new plants from your original stock. As long as they are protected from extreme cold and rot, they will return every season.
Do I have to dig up cannas in Zone 7?
Zone 7 is a "borderline" zone for cannas. In a mild winter with plenty of mulch, they may survive in the ground. However, in a particularly cold or wet winter, they are likely to perish. Most gardeners in Zone 7 choose to lift their rhizomes to guarantee they will have them the following spring.
When is the best time to replant stored canna rhizomes?
You should replant your stored cannas in the spring after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F. Planting too early into cold, wet soil can cause the dormant rhizomes to rot. If you want earlier blooms, you can start them in pots indoors about a month before the last expected frost.
