Canna lily plants are wonderful flowering plants to grow, either in the ground or in pots, and provide the gardener with great aesthetic appeal and appearance in the garden from early summer until fall frost.

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2.  The canna family, Cannaceae, is comprised of
one genus Canna and more than fifty species.
 Most gardeners choose canna lily plants for their
colorful leaves and blooms to enhance their
garden's ornamental or decorative appearance.

3.  Canna edulis, native to Central and South
America, is the one species important to
agriculture. The roots are rich in starch. It is
commercially cultivated in Australia for a product
called “Queensland Arrowroot” and in the
Caribbean for a thickening agent called “tous-les-
mois”.
 The rhizomes, bulbs, of Canna edulis are similar
in taste to white potatoes if cooked, but because
of their high content of fiber they are not as
palatable. The green leaves and stalks are used
as food for cattle.

4.  Another highly appreciated species is Canna
indica, called Ali'ipoe and Li'ipoe on the Hawaiian
Islands.
 The ripe seeds are used for making Hindu and
Buddhist rosaries in India and throughout
Southeast Asia to count mantras,chants, or
prayers.
 The leaves are used for food wrappings in tropical
regions of Africa.

5.  Other species include Canna glauca and Canna
gigantea which are native to Brazil.
 Canna glauca is used as a cooked vegetable,
and Canna gigantea is used as a diuretic.
 Canna speciosa is cultivated in the Sierra Leone
and is used as a seasoning similar to turmeric.

6.  Cannas flourish in most parts of the United States
with plenty of heat, temperatures ranging from
upper 70s to low 90s, and regularly watering.
 They are dependable and easy to grow providing
tropical foliage and flowers from early summer
until fall frost.

7.  Cannas are available as dwarfs, one to two feet
tall, medium height, three to four feet tall, and
tall size plants, six feet or more.
 Excellent dwarf varieties include Bangkok
Yellow, Chinese Coral, Jester Pink, Japanese
Rose, Orange Punch, Pink Angel and
Porcelaine Rose.
 Medium to tall size varieties include Aida,
Cleopatra, North Star, Picasso, President, Red
Futurity and Richard Wallace.

8.  The foliage ranges in color from different shades
of green to beautifully variegated leaves.
 Cultivars with variegated foliage include Bangkok
Yellow, Pretoria, Stuttgart and Tropicana.

9.  Canna rhizomes, bulbs, should be started in
spring indoors before planting them outdoors after
all danger of frost has passed generally sometime
in the month of May in most of North America.
 Before planting outdoors, either in pots or in the
ground, add some compost, manure or high
Nitrogen slow release fertilizer to the soil in order
to increase lush growth. Blood meal is an
excellent choice when it comes to a slow release
high Nitrogen fertizer.

10.  Best results are achieved when cannas are
planted in loose, fertile and well drained soil which
has warmed to 60 degrees or more.
 In the ground canna rhizomes, bulbs, should be
planted approximately twelve inches apart. When
grown in pots planting two rhizomes into one
twelve inch pot results in a nice display of foliage
and flowers. This is best achieved by placing two
rhizomes with space in between them and the
growing tips showing in opposite direction.

11.  When planting outdoors in the ground, or in
pots, the rhizomes are laid horizontally and
completely covered with an inch or more of soil
with the growing eye, if possible, facing
upwards.
 However, this is not critical as cannas will always
grow towards the surface, growing towards the
light. During one growing season canna plants
produce three to five rhizomes for each rhizome
planted.

12.  Cannas need regular watering and fertilizing
with any fertilizer high in Nitrogen.
 Regular dead-heading of spent flowers results in
an attractive floral garden display.
 Canna lily plants are rarely bothered by insects.
If insects appear, several applications with
insecticidal soap usually take care of the
problem easily.

13.  After the first frost the tops of the plants should be
removed, cut off, and the rhizomes dug up for
planting next spring.
 The rhizomes, bulbs, should be rinsed, the soil
washed off, divided and dried.

14.  One storage option is to layer the rhizomes with
peat in cardboard boxes with lids or to place them
in plastic bags with a few holes for a little
ventilation.
 This way canna rhizomes, bulbs, can be stored in
the basement, garage, or any place which is cool
and stays above freezing.
 The ideal storage temperature for canna
rhizomes is between fifty and sixty degrees.

15.  Another storage method is to dig up the whole
clump of rhizomes, without being cleaned
off, cover them with plastic and store them in the
same manner mentioned above.
 The rhizomes should never be stored in mesh
bags as this results in the rhizomes drying out.

16.  Canna lily plants are wonderful plants to grow,
either in the ground or in pots, and provide the
gardener with great aesthetic appeal and
appearance in the garden from early summer until
fall frost.
 Copyright © Bob Walsh
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com