edenhana

Canna Lily

A tropical-looking rhizome that is genuinely frost-tender: plant once the danger of frost has passed, generally October or November in most of the country, and don't rush it earlier. Give it full sun and water two to three times a week through spring and summer, since it wants consistently moist soil and sulks if it dries out. In frost-prone gardens, either mulch heavily over winter or lift the rhizomes and store them somewhere frost-free until spring. Canna leaf roller webs new leaves shut before they can unfurl properly.

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Sun
full sun
Water
high
Spacing
40cm
Difficulty
intermediate
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Mature height
1.5m
Flowering season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
Attracts wildlife
Bees, Butterflies
Common diseases
Rust
Common pests
Canna leaf roller, Slugs and snails

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: October-November. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast and Christchurch / Canterbury: November. In Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: November-December.

Growing stages

  1. PlantingOnce frost risk has passed

    • Don't plant until frost danger has genuinely passed; emerging shoots and leaves blacken and die at the first touch of frost
    • Plant rhizomes around 5cm deep and space 40cm apart
    • Choose full sun for the best flowering

  2. Vegetative growth

    • Water two to three times a week through spring and summer; soil should stay consistently moist, not waterlogged
    • Watch new growth for canna leaf roller, which webs young leaves shut before they unfurl

  3. FloweringLate spring through autumn

    • Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage more blooms
    • Rust can appear on foliage, especially in humid conditions; remove affected leaves

  4. Winter care

    • In frost-prone gardens, cut foliage back after the first frost and mulch heavily over the rhizomes, or lift them and store somewhere frost-free until spring
    • In mild, frost-free gardens, rhizomes can usually stay in the ground year-round

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