How to Winter Canna Bulbs

Canna lilies (Canna x generalis) are native to the warm tropical and subtropical areas. It is a large attractive plant that grows 1 1/2 to 5 feet tall. It is usually found planted as a focus of a flowerbed. Canna bulbs are considered a tender tuberous bulb, which means that they do not survive freezing temperatures during the winter. Canna bulbs need additional protection to survive the winter in cool climates which involves being moved indoors and stored.

Things You'll Need

• Canna lilies
• Sharp knife
• Shovel
• Water
• Hose
• Permanent marker
• Mesh bags

Instructions

1. Let the tops of the canna dry out for two or three days after the leaves are killed by a hard frost in the fall. Cut the tops off with a sharp knife so only 3 or 4 inches of stems are left on the plant.

2. Loosen the soil with a shovel several inches from the edge of the bulbs so you do not cut off any roots. Dig under the bulbs and lift the whole clump up out of the soil. Avoid damaging the canna bulbs since disease enters through scraped areas.

3. Wash the soil off the bulbs with a hard stream of water from a hose. Do not break the bulbs apart. Save the soil to return to the garden or compost pile.

4. Spread the roots out in a cool protected area to allow the bulbs to dry for one to three days. Keep the bulbs out of direct sunlight or wind. Label the bulbs by writing the cultivar name directly on the bulb with a permanent marker.

5. Store the canna bulbs in a cool, dry area where the temperature will be below 50 F for the winter. Either fill a mesh bag with the bulbs and hang in an area with good air circulation or bury bulbs in a bin full of sphagnum peat.

Tips & Warnings

• Occasionally check the canna bulbs throughout the winter. Remove any damage or rotting materials. Cut the rotting area back until you reach clean, white fleshy tissue.

• Do not allow the roots to freeze since this will kill the bulbs. The best storage space for canna bulbs is in the basement where the temperature ranges from 40 to 50 F. If you store the bulbs in a garage or outside shed, check the temperature inside on cold days to make sure it is above 32 F.

References

• Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service: Winter Storage of Geranium, Canna, Gladiolus, Caladium and Begonia
• University of Minnesota Extension: Storing Tender Bulbs and Bulblike Structures
• University of Minnesota Extension: Calla and Canna Lilies