Do I need to dig them up in winter?

If you live in a climate where the ground freezes, you should dig up the rhizomes and store them in a cool, dry place.

How often should I water them?

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the hot summer months.

Plant guide

Canna lily.

Canna × generalis

Pronounced KAN-uh jen-er-AL-iss

Also known as Canna × generalis

Canna Lilies (genus) — Photo by Christoph Moning (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Canna lilies are showy tropical perennials known for their vibrant flowers and broad, paddle shaped leaves. They add a bold, architectural look to any garden space. You will love how they bring a touch of the tropics to your patio or flower bed.

Another photo of Canna lily — Photo by Jacqui Geux (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 3 to 8 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 11
Bloom time: Mid summer to late autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and provide plenty of sun to encourage blooming. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate the soil is too dry or lacks nutrients. Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plant looking tidy and to promote new growth.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove faded flower stalks to encourage continuous blooming.
Repotting: Repot when the rhizomes become crowded in the container.
Soil: Rich, moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 50 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years with division.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in
Stunted growth during the peak season

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Pets: Canna lilies are generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The seeds are hard and round, posing a potential choking hazard if ingested by small children.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: The rhizomes are technically edible after thorough cooking, but they are not typically consumed and should be avoided due to potential confusion with toxic lookalikes.

How to identify it

Large paddle shaped leaves
Bright tubular flowers
Thick underground rhizomes
Tall upright growth habit

Height: 0.6 to 2m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, bronze, variegated, deciduous
Flowers: red, orange, yellow, pink, white, 5 to 15cm
Fruit: black, late autumn

Problems to watch for

Canna leaf roller · Caterpillars that tie leaves together with silk and feed inside.
Canna rust · Fungal infection causing small orange spots on the leaves.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In cold climates, cut the foliage back to the ground after the first frost. Carefully dig up the rhizomes, let them dry slightly, and store them in peat moss in a cool, frost free location until spring.
In containers: They grow very well in large containers, provided the pot is at least 40 centimeters wide to accommodate the vigorous rhizomes.

Rhizome Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring before new growth begins.
2. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut the rhizome into sections.
3. Ensure each section has at least one healthy eye or bud.
4. Replant the sections about 10 centimeters deep in rich soil.

Pair cannas with plants that enjoy rich, moist soil to ensure everyone stays happy in the same bed.

Grows well with

Coleus · They share similar moisture needs and provide a beautiful foliage contrast.
Sweet Potato Vine · This trailing plant fills the space at the base of the tall canna stalks.

Similar species

Ginger Lily · They share a similar tropical aesthetic and growth requirements.

Science

Family: Cannaceae
Genus: Canna
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical and subtropical Americas.
Conservation: This is a hybrid group and is not of conservation concern.

These plants thrive in wet, sunny areas where they can spread rapidly through their rhizomatous root systems.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental border plant, container gardening, tropical garden accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to dig them up in winter?: If you live in a climate where the ground freezes, you should dig up the rhizomes and store them in a cool, dry place.
How often should I water them?: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the hot summer months.

Where the name comes from

The name Canna is derived from the Celtic word for a cane or reed, referring to the plant's growth habit.

Good to know

Cannas have been cultivated for centuries, originally for their edible starchy rhizomes.
Their large, paddle shaped leaves are excellent for adding a tropical feel to any garden.
They are very heavy feeders and love plenty of compost and water.
The name Canna comes from the Celtic word for cane or reed.

Keep your canna lily growing

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This guide was generated with AI on October 24, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.