How to Grow Beautiful Canna Lilies

Although not a true lily, the Canna lily comes in a rainbow of colors and can add dramatic emphasis to your garden. Cannas are related to gingers and consist of a genus unto themselves (Canna), which includes at least 20 species of this beautiful flowering plant. Although considered tropical plants, cannas do well in more temperate climates that receive at least six hours of sunlight per day in the summertime. Frost will kill them during the cooler months, but if you mulch with straw, old leaves or other organic matter in the fall, your cannas should come back with vibrant new foliage and flowers the following spring. In climates where the ground freezes hard in the winter, dig up your plants in the fall, or better yet, grow them in pots that you can move indoors until the weather warms up again.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Canna plants or bulbs
• Well-draining potting mix
• Perlite
• Peat moss
• Large pot for decorative purposes

How to Start Your Cannas

1. Choose a spot in your garden where the soil drains well and where there is plenty of direct sunlight.

2. For outdoor planting, dig holes that are 4 to 6 inches deep, depending on the size of the bulb or plant. Then dig in a little peat moss and perlite.

3. For planting in pots, choose large decorative pots and fill to within 6 inches of the top with a well-draining potting mix into which you have added a little peat moss and perlite.

4. Place one bulb into each hole. If you are planting more than one bulb or plant, be sure to leave at least 18 inches between plants. If your pot is large, you can plant two or three canna bulbs or plants in each pot.

5. Backfill your pot or hole with additional soil until the bulb and roots are well covered. Gently pat down the dirt around the base.

6. Water your new plant well and expect it to begin sending out new leaves and, when the weather is warm, flowers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plant at least several cannas in the same area, the beauty that they provide will be enhanced.
• You can use both the beautiful flowers and the leaves of cannas in arrangements.
• Cannas will stop blooming when fall approaches. Leave the remaining foliage on the plant when this happens because it will help to nourish the bulb for next summer's array of color and enjoyment.
• In cold climates, dig up your cannas after the first frost. Air dry the bulbs for no longer than one week and then store them in paper bags in a cool, dry spot. Adding peat moss to the bag helps to keep the bulbs happy during the winter.