Canna Lily, Red Blooms (Canna indica var. indica L., syn. Canna edulis)
Plant Type: long-lived perennial herbaceous tropical flowering plant
Visual Identification: rhizomatous, evergreen (within USDA hardiness zones) perennial with
spikes of orchid-like red blooms and green, ornamental foliage that is
broad (up to one foot wide) and lance-shaped, closely resembling banana
leaves
Native Region(s): Caribbean region and tropical America
Landscape Use: Cannas make for a dramatic show in large groupings or in borders with other plants. They perform well planted along the water's edge.
If planting in containers, make sure they are made of tough materials! I have seen canna rhizomes punch right through the side wall of a 5-gallon plastic bucket within the same season they were planted. In zones 6 and lower where the plant may not grow as large, place away from areas with high winds, as the foliage can tear and the stalks can snap. In zones where canna is considered a perennial, they can be used as a wind block. Canna blossoms will attract hummingbirds and many other pollinators.
Height:
6-9 feet. Grows quickly, reaching its full height in six months to a
year.
Spread: 1.5-2 feet
Spacing:
18-24 inches
Hardiness Zones: 7-11. It is recommended to heavily mulch your cannas in zones 7 and 8 before the first frost when overwintering in the ground. The foliage is frost-tender, and is likely to die back during the winter in these colder zones. This plant can be treated as an annual in zones 6 and lower, or you can dig up the rhizomes and store them in a frost free area until spring. See the third paragraph in the Maintenance section for instructions on how to store canna rhizomes.
Hardy Down To:
hardy down to air temperatures of 0° F when established in-ground.
Light: full sun. Partial shade tolerated, but will impede growth and the number of blooms. Light shade could be beneficial in the afternoon if conditions are particularly hot and dry at the height of summer.
Water: moderate water needs; drought-tolerant. Water established plants once a
week.
Maintenance: Dig your hole 4-6 inches deep in the soil, then back-fill with loose, nutrient rich soil so the rhizomes can be placed horizontally 2-3 inches below ground level. Planting canna rhizomes too deep may stunt their growth. If you note any obvious sprouts — also called "eyes" — already forming on the rhizome, try to arrange it in the hole with the sprouts facing upward. For those with shorter growing seasons, you can start cannas indoors about a month before your last frost.
Removing dead flower heads and seedpods after a bloom gives a second flush of flowering in autumn. Leave foliage until it dies back naturally. This will produce stronger rhizomes.
If you are in USDA Hardiness Zone 6 or lower, you will want to dig up and store your canna rhizomes after the first frost. Cut off all the foliage and rinse any clinging dirt from the rhizomes. After the rhizomes have air-dried for a few days, store them in a container in layers of media that will hold a slight amount of moisture, such as peat moss, coconut coir, vermiculite, paper shreds, or sawdust. Barely moisten the media just so it does not feel completely desiccated. We want a "fluffy, fresh bread" level of moisture, not "dried bread crumbs." Too much moisture will cause mold or rot. Keep the container in an area that experiences temperatures no lower than 40° F, and check on their conditions periodically until they are ready to plant again in spring.
Blooms may be reduced if the rhizomes become over-crowded. Dig them up every 2-3 years to divide them and space them out for best performance. This is best done in early spring or in the fall.
Fertilize: Cannas are heavy feeders, and will benefit from a monthly application of fertilizer during the growing season. If you only fertilize twice a year, the best times will be in early spring and again in mid-summer. Choose a fertilizer with a higher phosphorous content in its NPK ratio, such as 5-10-5. Phosphorous encourages blooming.
Seasons of Interest: flowers bloom from late spring through fall
Floral Arrangement Uses: Leaves may be used in arrangements. The flowers do not hold up in cut form.
Culinary Uses: All parts of this plant are edible, including the immature seeds. Young tubers can be cooked as you would a potato. They are sweet but fibrous. This root is the source of "canna starch," which can be used similarly to arrowroot starch as a thickener. The leaves can be used as a wrapper for steaming foods.
How to Use: The smooth, brownish-black ovate seeds are one of the most commonly used beads in natural jewelry. The stalks can be processed into a substitute for jute, and the leaves can be used to make paper. A purple dye can be obtained from the seeds.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and animals. All parts of the plant — including the tender, immature seeds — are edible.
Additional Resources:
- Center for the Study of the Built Environment (csbe.org), "Indian Shot (Canna indica)"
- Dave's Garden (davesgarden.com), "You Can Have Your Canna and Eat it, Too"
- Easy to Grow Bulbs (easytogrowbulbs.com), "Canna Planting Guide"
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (plants.ces.ncsu.edu), "Canna indica"
- Plants for a Future (pfaf.org), "Canna indica - L."
- The Spruce (thespruce.com), "How to Grow and Care for Canna Lily (Canna spp.)"
- Wayne's Word (webpage), "Canna indica: Indian Shot"
- Wikipedia (wikipedia.org), "Canna indica"
Quick Care Guide
Other Canna varieties:
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