How to Grow and Care for Canna Lilies

Do you love big, beautiful, bold flowers and are you looking to add a tropical feel to your garden? Then canna lilies are the whimsical flowers you've been searching for.

"Canna, commonly known as the canna lily, is a tropical flowering plant from the Cannae family," Anastasia Borisevich, plant expert at Plantum, says. "You'll probably recognize this plant for its asymmetric bright red, yellow, or orange flower heads."

While these enchanting flowers are relatively easy to grow and will make a great addition to your garden or home, they do require specific care and prefer warmer temperatures. So, learn how to grow and care for canna lilies from the experts to keep them blossoming year after year. 

How to Care for Canna Lilies

Marek Bowers, founder of Bolder Green, says that canna lilies are super easy to grow, which makes them a great choice for beginners or gardeners looking for a bright and showy bloom to add to their gardens. “Canna lilies have vibrant flowers and large, lush leaves that are especially fitting if you want to give your landscaping a tropical look and feel," he says.

These flowers thrive in warmer climates, but with proper care and overwintering, you can enjoy them for more than just a single season. 

Soil and Light

It's no surprise that these tropical flowers love the sun and need adequate lighting. "Full sun is optimum for these flowers," Borisevich says. "Provide them with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day during summer months to get the brightest blooms." So, if you are growing canna lilies indoors, make sure to put them near a window that gets plenty of sun.

"To ensure healthy growth, choose a free-draining, rich, moist soil. Good drainage is important because this plant doesn't enjoy being waterlogged," she adds.

Water and Fertilizing Needs

“Cannas like to be kept moist, so water them regularly, especially when it's super dry [or in] drought conditions,” Bowers informs.

Borisevich advises using fertilizer to boost growth and increase blooming. "Your canna plant will grow and bloom better if you apply a balanced fertilizer once in spring and several times in summer," she says. "You can also dress the plant's beds with organic compost or manure once every six to eight weeks for best results."

Temperature and Humidity

Borisevich says that the canna lily is a plant of the tropics that prefers to stay warm. The ideal temperature for it is between 50 and 90 F.

"However, many cultivars have been developed for growing in temperate climates, so now you can easily have this plant almost anywhere, provided that it gets enough sunlight," she says. "The only thing is they're sensitive to cold, so it's best to protect them from drafts."

Both experts say that the canna lily is a tropical plant that also loves high humidity. So, if you have a bathroom with a big window that allows the sun in, it would be a good spot for this plant indoors. You can also utilize a humidifier to create ideal growing conditions for it. 

Pruning 

Like most plants and flowers, canna lilies need pruning to encourage new growth and keep them thriving. One important pruning method is deadheading, which involves removing old flowers.

“As soon as you notice the flowers starting to look faded or wilted, it’s time to remove them," Bowers says. "This keeps the plant looking tidy and encourages more flowers to grow."

He continues, “Use a pair of sharp scissors or garden shears. Find the spot just below the dead flower, where the stem meets the first set of leaves or a new bud. Cut about 1/4 inch above this point. This keeps the plant healthy and neat.”

He also says that you should cut back the plant at the end of the season. After the flowers have stopped blooming for the year and the leaves start turning yellow or brown, you can trim the whole plant down. “Cut the stem down to about 2-3 inches above the soil. This helps the plant rest over the winter and get ready for next year,” he informs. 

He also encourages some other general pruning practices, such as cutting off damaged or sick leaves as close to the base as possible and thinning the plant if it looks overcrowded by cutting older and weaker stems at the base. This will help keep the plant healthy and give it more room to grow. 

As far as what tools to use, he advises using a good pair of scissors or garden shears. But make sure they’re sharp, so you get a clean cut. “Before and after you cut, wipe your tools with some rubbing alcohol to keep the plant safe from germs,” he advises. “Take a look at your canna lilies every week or so to see if they need a little trimming. It keeps them looking great.”

Propagating

Borisevich says that rhizome division is the best way to propagate a canna lily. "In spring, clean the rhizome free of soil and cut it into pieces that have at least 2-3 growth points each," she says. "Use a sharp knife for this task. Treat the cuts with activated charcoal to prevent rot or a pathogen infection. Once your divisions are planted, you can expect them to flower the same year."

While you can propagate canna lilies from seeds, Borisevich doesn't recommend it. "Firstly, not all varieties produce seeds," she says. "Secondly, plants that are propagated in this way rarely retain their varietal characteristics. Lastly, canna lilies grown from seed start blooming only during their second year."

Growing in Pots

"Cannas do well in large pots or containers," Bowers says. "Use a pot with good drainage, and make sure the soil stays moist. Place the pot in a sunny spot, and fertilize regularly to keep the plant healthy." Remember that canna lilies like hot and humid climates, so make sure to supply the ideal conditions when growing in pots indoors.

Borisevich says that a canna lily that lives indoors should be repotted once every 12 to 18 months. This can ensure the plant doesn't outgrow its container and prevent problems that a rootbound plant can have. 

Overwintering

Since these flowers thrive in hotter climates, you will need to overwinter them if you want to enjoy them the following season. Otherwise, they will only bloom as an annual flower.

"In cooler climates, you'll need to dig up the rhizomes before the first frost," Bowers says. "After digging them up, let them dry for a few days, then store them in a cool, dry place over the winter. Replant them in the spring once the danger of frost has passed."

Common Pests/Diseases

Bowers warns that cannas can be affected by pests like aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. "Keep an eye out for any signs of damage and treat with insecticidal soap if needed," he says. "[Canna lilies] can also suffer from fungal diseases, so avoid overhead watering and make sure they have good air circulation."

Borisevich says that slugs and snails can bother your plant, too. Use a gardening hose to rinse them off, and you can also spray your plant with insecticidal soap to scare these insects away.

"Though relatively disease-free, this plant can be affected by rust. This issue arises because of a fungal disease caused by excessively moist soil. As soon as you see orange spots on the plant's leaves, remove and burn them. Then apply a fungicide to protect the rest of the plant," she instructs.

With these expert tips and proper care, you can grow gorgeous canna lilies that will flourish every year.