How To Grow Canna Lilies: Full Guide

how-to-grow-canna-lilies-full-guide

The canna lily is a rhizomatous perennial from South America with tropical-like leaves and big blooms that resemble those of iris. Canna lilies are low-maintenance and easy to grow, and their flowers as well as foliage provide long-lasting color in the landscape.

They are considered tender perennials, but it is possible to grow them as annuals in cold climates. However, if you’re reading this article, your winter probably isn’t that cold yet. How To Grow Canna Lilies: Full Guide. So let’s begin!

Canna Lilies Information

Canna lilies are typically planted from bulbs or rhizomes purchased at a garden center or nursery in the spring. The depth of the planting hole will depend on what type of canna plant you purchased – bare-root plants need more room for their roots than potted ones so the planting depth should be about three times the width of the bulb (or rhizome).

Canna lily bulbs should be planted about six inches deep and six inches apart. Keep in mind that spacing will vary according to the mature size of the plant.

Canna lilies like sun, but they also enjoy some shade, especially during mid-afternoon (and especially in hotter climates). They’ll grow best if planted in a location with rich, loose soil that drains well. Providing consistent moisture is important once your canna lily begins to grow and produce its big leaves.

When it comes to fertilizing, spring time is typically the right time to do so for most plants, so this should be about when you apply fertilizer to your greenhouse or nursery crops as well. The type of fertilizer that’s used usually depends on the quality of your soil – manure adds nitrogen while bone meal contains calcium and other nutrients beneficial for strong root development. It’s always a good idea to follow package instructions and apply fertilizer at the recommended rates.

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Canna lilies require little care once they start producing flowers, but there is one thing you should do – remove spent blooms! Cutting off the flower stalk will encourage the plant to produce more blooms.

It may seem like a lot of work now, but canna lilies continue their parades of impressive blossoms until fall (sometimes even longer) and become magnificent autumnal display plants with big foliage that turns vibrant shades of reds, oranges and yellows.

So don’t hesitate: If you want a tropical touch in your garden this year, start growing some canna lilies!

How To Plant Or Grow Canna Lilies?

Cannas may be grown in pots or outside, depending on the weather. Wait until the danger of frost has passed before planting canna lily plants in the springtime. Cannas should be set approximately a foot (31 cm.) apart each way.

Canna lily flowers should be regularly deadheaded, meaning any faded blooms should be cut off. The old flower stalks will dry up and look unsightly if they are not removed, but by cutting them off just below where they branch from the main stems, your cannas will bloom prolifically throughout their growing season.

In addition, regular fertilization will promote more blooms and healthier growth. Cannas do well in either sunny or mostly-sunny areas, so choose a location for your canna lily plants accordingly!

Pests And Diseases

Because canna lilies are grown in moist soil, they are susceptible to snail and slug damage. Prevent them by laying down a barrier of diatomaceous earth or organic mulch around your canna lily plants.

Canna lilies may also develop rot if the soil is too wet; if this happens, you’ll notice that parts of your plant begin dying back (a sign of root rot).

Another common disease is rust fungus, which causes yellowish spots on the leaves or flower stems. This will cause discoloration and scarring but isn’t fatal; simply remove affected portions of the plant with sharp pruners and dispose of them away from your garden.

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If any pests or diseases do attack your canna lily plants, treat them with an appropriate organic treatment immediately to prevent further damage.

Repotting Canna Lilies

Cannas are perennials that make excellent container or garden plants. If your canna is growing in a container, you’ll need to repot it every few years because the roots of any plant will become pot-bound if they don’t have enough room.

If your canna has outgrown its current location but you want to keep it in the same pot, simply remove some of the root ball and prune off any damaged or weak roots before replanting in fresh soil. A good rule of thumb when buying new soil for your canna lily is that three handfuls should be sufficient for a large container or pot.

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Water your canna lily regularly once you repot it, and make sure the soil is moist but not soggy before each watering. Keep in mind that canna lilies dislike being over-watered, so only water when the soil begins to dry out from its previous moisture levels.

Cannas are hearty plants that will respond well to pruning; you may remove any dead leaves or blooms on a regular basis if desired, although it’s usually best not to cut off more than one third of the plant at a time.

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