Do I need to dig up my cannas in winter?

In zones colder than 7, you should lift the rhizomes and store them in a cool, dry place.

How often should I water them?

Cannas love moisture and should be kept consistently damp throughout the growing season.

Plant guide

Canna Lily.

Canna indica

Pronounced KAN-uh IN-dih-kuh

Also known as African arrowroot, Canna plurituberosa, Cannon, Indian Canna, Indian Shot, Indian-shot, Queensland arrowroot

Indian shot — Photo by Christoph Moning (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Canna lilies are bold tropical perennials that bring a dramatic, exotic flair to any garden. They feature large, paddle shaped leaves and vibrant, iris like flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These plants thrive in heat and moisture, making them perfect for sunny spots.

Another photo of Canna Lily — Photo by Mike Musgrave (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 150 to 200 cm
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 direct sunlight for the best blooms. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate overwatering or poor drainage. In colder climates, dig up the rhizomes before the first frost to store them indoors for winter.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
Repotting: Repot when the rhizomes become crowded in the container.
Soil: Rich, loamy, well-draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth during the active season
Rhizomes pushing the plant out of the pot

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The hard, pea sized seeds can be a choking hazard for small children.
Edibility: The starchy rhizomes are technically edible but often fibrous and require extensive cooking.

How to identify it

Large, paddle shaped foliage
Bright, iris like flowers
Tall, unbranched stems
Rhizomatous root system

Height: 0.9 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, bronze, deciduous
Flowers: red, orange, yellow, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: black, Late autumn

Problems to watch for

Canna Leaf RollerCommon
Canna RustCommon
AphidsUncommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon
Tuber RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Cut back the foliage after the first frost. In cold climates, dig up the rhizomes, let them dry slightly, and store them in peat moss in a frost free area.
In containers: They grow very well in large containers, provided you use a pot at least 40 cm wide to accommodate the rhizomes.

Division

Dig up the clump in early spring.
Use a sharp, clean knife to cut the rhizomes into sections.
Ensure each section has at least one healthy growth bud.
Replant the sections about 10 cm deep.

Pair these with other moisture loving tropicals to create a lush, high impact display.

Grows well with

Coleus — They share similar moisture needs and provide a nice foliage contrast.
Elephant Ear — Both plants thrive in the same tropical, water loving conditions.

Similar species

Canna glauca — A related species that is even more tolerant of standing water.

Science

Family: Cannaceae
Genus: Canna
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical Americas
Conservation: This species is widely naturalized and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in damp, sunny habitats where it can spread via its vigorous rhizome system.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental border, tropical container plant, pond edge planting

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to dig up my cannas in winter?: In zones colder than 7, you should lift the rhizomes and store them in a cool, dry place.
How often should I water them?: Cannas love moisture and should be kept consistently damp throughout the growing season.

Where the name comes from

The name Canna comes from the Greek word for a reed, while indica refers to its historical association with the East Indies.

Good to know

The seeds are so hard they have been used as beads in jewelry and rattles.
It is often called Indian shot because the seeds resemble lead shot from a firearm.
These plants are excellent at cleaning water in wetland environments.

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