Canna lily are low maintenance tropic plants that are easy to originate and delicious .
In this post , I ’m going to recite you everything you need to know about canna lily plant life fear so you may successfully develop them yr after twelvemonth .
Canna lily are one of the with child attention getters in my garden , and one of my best-loved types of summertime bulbs to acquire .
Orange canna flower
I love the tropical feeling they add , and they bid a marvelous contrast of color and texture to my bloom bed and outdoor containers .
You ’d think a tropic plant like this would be unmanageable to keep alive in temperate clime like mine , but they in reality do dandy !
In this complete canna lily care usher , I will share all of my closed book for winner so that you could grow them in your garden , and enjoy them for years to come .
Table of Contents
Information About Canna Lilies
Canna lily , which is both the Latin and common name for this plant , are a member of the Cannaceae household . They are native to tropical region of North , South , and Central America .
They are related to ginger and arrowroots . Like these democratic congenator , some species of cannas are eatable . They are even bred for agricultural function in some area of the world .
These fast growing plants grasp in height from a couple of foot for nanus varieties , all the fashion up to 10 ft tall . Though commonly referred to as a bulb or tuber , canna technically grow from a rhizome .
Hardiness
Canna lilies are tropical perennial flowers usually betray as annuals in colder mood .
Though the foliage is only sturdy in warm , tropical regions , the bulb can survive down to zona 8 , or where the ground never freezes .
But they are super easy to originate in any climate . For colder areas ( like where I live in Minnesota ) , the electric light can be stash away indoors for the wintertime , and found again class after year .
Flowers
One of the thing I love the most about produce canna lilies is their bright , tropical flowers . The gorgeous blooms come in a wide mixture of semblance and texture .
Their blooms can be anywhere from solid cherry , orange , yellow , or pink , to hold a striped or espy shape on the petals .
The flowers attract pollinators , and hummingbirds especially love the bright red ones . Here ’s more information about canna blossom …
Different Types Of Cannas
There are rafts of different cultivar of canna lilies , and each has its own unique machine characteristic .
Some have coloured or variegated leave , while others are lever for their brightly colored or unambiguously patterned efflorescence .
Both the flower and foliage come in a salmagundi of colors and combinations , which defecate it super fun to ruffle and touch several unlike character .
The foliage alone is enough to catch anyone ’s attention , it ’s like a piece of art . The demarcation of the flowers against the parting on many varieties is striking .
Where To Grow Canna Lilies
Canna lilies are versatile , and will produce just about anywhere . They grow as well in the ground as they do in containers . Heck , some type can even be planted in a pond .
Either path , be indisputable to find a location that is protect from strong hint . The leaves will rip when it ’s windy , so a protect slur is best .
Growing Cannas In The Garden
you may engraft canna lily just about anywhere in your garden . immix them with other yearly blossom , or make an entire layer just dedicated to them . You really ca n’t go wrong .
If you want to establish them in your garden , then choose a full sun location that has robust , prolific filth . An area that get a consistent amount of water is also the best choice .
you’re able to amend hapless quality soil withcompostorworm castingsto aid it retain wet , and add lots of good organic matter .
Planting Canna Lilies In A Pond
consider it or not , canna lilies can really grow in pee . They make an fantabulous shallow plant for ponds , and can thrive there .
If you want to give it a try , rinse the soil from the roots , then constitute it into a container using aquatic potting soil .
Place it in the shallowest part of the pond , so that the container is sitting one-half in and half out of the piss .
Only try this if you have extras though . Because once they canna lilies grow in water , it ’s exceedingly unmanageable to successfully overwinter the rhizomes .
Canna Lily Care In Pots
The large tropical leaves and grandiloquent bloom spikes are great for use in a miscellaneous summertime container , and look every bit impressive in a pot on their own . Perfect for a cheery deck or terrace .
Any variety can be grown in a pot , as long as you choose one that is mystifying enough for them . Though midget sort are the expert selection for container .
Choose a pot that is big enough for the type of canna lily you design to grow . The marvellous the plant , the big the container should be . Make trusted the sens has tolerable drainage muddle .
How To Grow Canna Lilies
Before jumping into the point of all the canna lily charge requirements , it ’s crucial to see how and when to plant them . This will give you the upright succeeder .
When To Plant Canna Bulbs
Canna lily bulbs can be planted into the garden once the dirt has warm up in the spring . originate them in pots in late winter or early spring if you survive in a cold climate with a forgetful growing season .
constitute them into the ground early is not beneficial , so it ’s best to waitress until all chances of frost are gone .
If you embed them prematurely , they could be damage by a late hoar , or the bulb could rot in the insensate , stiff grime .
Should You Soak Canna Bulbs Before Planting?
This is a question I get a fate , so I thought I ’d answer it here . gazump canna bulbs before engraft them is not required .
However , sop them for 12 - 24 hr could help break dormancy faster . try on sum up a little fish emulsion or compost tea to the water before soaking them to give them even more of a hike .
How To Plant Canna Bulbs
Canna flower bulbs are very gentle to plant . You could literally just dig a hole , underprice the rhizomes in , compensate them with dirt , and most of them would grow just o.k. .
But , you ’re probably go to want to be a scrap more designed about it than that . Ideally , you should lay the bulb into the hole with the pointy tips facing up or to the side .
You do n’t have to be super deliberate here . Even if you do n’t place them perfectly , they will figure out which fashion is up .
How Deep To Plant Canna Bulbs
It ’s best to embed them 2 - 3 times deeper than the size of the bulb . Do n’t plant them too deep , or they may not grow .
So , the heavy light bulb should be planted deeper than the little I . you could layer them , or spread them out a piece if you prefer .
How Far Apart To Plant Canna Lily Bulbs
Ideally , you should space larger bulbs 12 - 18″ apart . I would recommend sticking to that spatial arrangement if you live in a lovesome clime where they are perennials .
But , since the canna lily are only in the flat coat for a few month in my garden , my linguistic rule of pollex is to just space the rootstock out so that they are n’t touching each other .
If you ’re in a cold climate like I am , you really do n’t involve to be too picky about the spatial arrangement , since they wo n’t have much time to become overcrowded .
How Long Does It Take For Canna Bulbs To Sprout?
From the metre you plant canna rhizomes into the ground or pots , it takes about 4 - 6 weeks for them to embark on to sprout . The warmer it is , the faster they will grow .
That ’s why it ’s a good idea to get them in muckle indoors several weeks before you may graft them outside .
Canna Lily Care & Growing Instructions
Soil
When it come to soil , canna are n’t super picky . But they do prefer a rich , fertile soil that is well draining , and also retains water .
systematically dampish soil is ideal . So , it ’s unspoilt to plant them in an area where water does n’t pool , but the grime hold moisture well .
repair heavy Henry Clay or sandy grime withworm castingsorcompostto improve the fertility and moisture retention . Choose a good quality container mix for grass .
Fertilizing
Canna lilies will emphatically bloom much near and more reliably when you eat them regularly during the summer . You canlearn all about fertilizing blossom here , but below are a few quick tips .
select an organic fertilizer that is in high spirits in phosphorus . Mixslow - release granulesinto the hole when you plant the bulbs . Then top garb the plant 2 - 3 times during the growing time of year .
you’re able to also feed them with fluid plant food every time you irrigate . A good qualitywater - soluble plant food , liquidfish emulsion , or an organiccompost teaare great options for feed canna .
Sunlight
Canna lilies grow considerably in full sunshine ( 6 hr or more ) . They will abide fond ghost , but wo n’t blossom as well . They make out the warmth , and thrive in blistering , humid conditions .
However , if you live in a really hot clime , then establish them in an arena that gets specter during the afternoon when the Sunday is at its strongest .
blistering , dry sunshine can evanesce the flowers – and in utmost cases , can burn the leaves .
Water
canna making love moisture , and they ’re perfect for grow in areas that get a bunch of urine . Like I mentioned above , some can even be planted in a shallow pond .
However , when growing them in container or the garden , the filth should never be constantly saturate , or the medulla could rot .
They will stomach dry soil conditions , as long as they are watered regularly . In that case , give them deep waterings every week , but never let the territory dry completely .
If you struggle with this , then I advocate getting yourself an expensivemoisture meterto help you water your canna absolutely every time .
Pest Control
They are usually pest free plants , but there are a few bugs to watch out for . Nipponese beetles know canna lily . sluggard and snail can also be a problem .
These germ commonly only cause unsightly damage to the farewell , and wo n’t in reality kill the plant . But , if left uncontrolled , they can make your cannas look less than beautiful .
Effective gadfly control method acting include bridge player pick the bugs , and usingdiatomaceous earthto vote down them . Insecticidal soap , and horticultural spray likeneem oilalso work well .
Pruning
Though pruning is n’t a crucial part of canna lily care , deadheading fleet flowers on a even basis will encourage Modern blooms .
you could also cut off any wind instrument or bug damaged , dark-brown , or yellowing parting as necessary to keep the plant looking its best .
Canna Lily Propagation Tips
There are only two method you may expend to propagate canna : seeds or segmentation . Some varieties will produce seeds , which you could lay aside and engraft again next year .
Otherwise , you’re able to carve up the rootstalk to produce new plants . The easiest and best time to do that is in the gloaming right after you dig up the bulbs , or in the spring before planting .
Canna Lily Winter Care Tips
The best part about growing canna is that they are very easy to store indoors . That way , you could keep your favorites twelvemonth after year !
Dig the rhizomes in the fall before the ground freezes and cut off all of the foliation . It ’s ok to allow for frost to kill the leave before lifting the bulbs .
Pack them inpeat moss , or leave containerized bulbs flop in the pot . Store them in a cool , dry , dark place over the wintertime , take care that they do n’t dry out out completely .
Read my full step by step guide aboutoverwintering your canna lilies here .
Troubleshooting Common Canna Lily Problems
The hard part about canna lily precaution is when your plants have trouble , and you have no idea why .
So , in this section , I ’ll talk about some problem you may run into , and give you tips for how to fix them .
Leaves Turning Brown
Either the soil is too wry , or this could be because of damage from bugs or current of air .
assure that the soil is never getting full ironic between waterings , and look into for bug . If enceinte winds are the culprit , it ’s best to relocate the plant .
Not Flowering
Your canna lily is probably in an area with too much shade , or it is n’t getting enough fertilizer . They need full Sunday and regular feedings to bloom their best .
Canna Lily Not Growing
It plausibly is n’t getting enough sun or plant food . Insufficient water can also stunt their growing .
Leaves Splitting
High winds and violent storm can damage the broad leaf , especially if they are weak from not being watered frequently enough .
Canna Lily Plant Care FAQs
Are canna lilies easy to grow?
Yes , canna lilies are super leisurely to grow , and are very low sustenance once install . As long as you render the right conditions for them , and give them the right care , then you will be successful .
Do canna lilies need full sun?
Yes , canna grow considerably with at least 6 hour of lineal sunlight . They will tolerate slightly less than that , but they may not flower if they get too much spook .
How do I know if my canna bulbs are dead?
If they are either completely dried out or rotted through , then you may regard your canna bulbs dead . Also , if they do n’t grow after 2 month of planting them in warm soil , then they probably never will .
How tall do canna lilies grow?
Some canna lily can grow to be 10 ft tall , while others are much shorter , and run anywhere from 3 + feet tall .
Do canna lilies spread?
Yes , but canna lilies are not aggressive spreaders . The clumps will get wider ever year , but they do n’t distribute out too far , and will stay in one situation .
However , the seeds can be dispersed far out . So you may find seedlings around your garden in the spring if you allow them to set seed .
Will cannas come back every year?
That depends on where you live . canna are tropic plants , but the rhizome can survive in the ground year unit of ammunition as long as they do n’t suspend .
So , if you live in a warm mood , then yes , they will come back . If the ground freezes where you live , then no , they wo n’t grow back .
Can canna lilies grow indoors?
Since canna lilies need 6 + hours of verbatim sunlight , they do not grow very well indoors . You could for certain give it a attempt if you have powerful grow light that you’re able to keep on for 12 - 14 hours a 24-hour interval . But look on out for bugs like wanderer pinch .
grow canna lily in mint or the garden does n’t take much work , and is very rewarding ! employ them to add a tropical feel to your flower bed and out-of-door containers . With the proper care , you could enjoy their gorgeous , brilliant blooms all summer long .
