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Canna lily · Canna × generalis

Why are my Canna lily leaves tied together?

If your leaves look like they are folded or tied shut with silk, you have a Canna leaf roller. These caterpillars hide inside the rolled leaf to feed safely.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look for rolled leaves tied with silk.
  2. Unroll a leaf to check for a small caterpillar.
  3. Check the tips of new growth for clusters of tiny insects.

Likely causes

  1. Canna Leaf Roller

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see leaves rolled up or tied together with fine white webbing. If you unroll the leaf, you will find a small, pale green or brown caterpillar inside.

    What to do: Manually unroll the leaves and remove the caterpillars by hand. For larger infestations, use a spray containing Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, which is a natural bacteria that targets caterpillars.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: These tiny insects cluster on new growth and flower buds. They suck sap and leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.

    What to do: Blast the aphids off with a strong stream of water from your hose. If they return, apply insecticidal soap once a week until they are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your canna lily

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

A few rolled leaves are just a nuisance, but a heavy infestation can stunt the plant's growth. Act quickly once you see the first rolled leaf.

Stopping it coming back

Keep an eye on your plants in early summer and remove any rolled leaves as soon as you spot them.

Canna lily: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your canna lily and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Do I need to use harsh chemicals?
Not at all. Hand picking or using organic sprays like Bt or neem oil is very effective.
Will the leaves recover after the caterpillars are gone?
The damaged parts will remain scarred, but the plant will continue to grow new, healthy leaves.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Canna lily

Back to the Canna lily guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.