Canna Lilies are a beautiful plant that quickly make a big impact on your patio during the summer. With the brilliant flowers and fun foliage, you can't go wrong with these plants!
Botanical Name: Canna x generalis (this would be the more than likely be the cultivar
Sun Requirements:
Direct sunlight is the best position for Canna Lilies, indoors and outdoors. Indoors, placing these in a south window allows for the highest potential for the fullest foliage and blooms. If you do not move this plant indoors as a houseplant in the off season and decide to dig up the bulb, you do not need to keep the bulb in a bright area. You can keep your bulb in a cool, dark place.
Water Requirement
These plants like to be kept at medium to high moisture, which means watering when the top layer of soil is dry. Underwatering can cause browning tips and, remember, if you are moving the plant outside in summer in full sun, you will need to water pretty frequently.
Canna Lilies can definitely benefit from raised humidity if you are keeping them as an indoor houseplant. At least here in Wisconsin, moving it outside really increases humidity and gives the plant an ideal environment.
Fertilizer
As I always say, there are LOTS of ways to fertilize plants. Unless you are extremely over-fertilizing your plant, there isn't necessarily a wrong way to do this. I currently use Fox Farm's Grow Big Liquid Fertilizer and I fertilize every 2 weeks when I water my plants, starting around the end of February through October. I honestly probably only fertilize once or twice in winter because the plant isn't as active! I use about 1/2 to 3/4 the recommended amount of fertilizer because I would rather under-fertilize than over-fertilize my plants.
There are MANY ways to fertilize and it is completely up to you! There are tons of products out there you can try but an overall rule of thumb for houseplants is that it is best to under-fertilize, rather than over-fertilize. Always use the recommended amount, or less, when applying your fertilizer to houseplants.
Propagation
Dividing the rhizomes is the best way to have multiple Canna Lilies. To make sure your divided piece will grow successfully, there needs to be a point where new foliage would grow, known as the "eye".
Other Facts
Part of the Cannaceae family.
Canna Lilies are hardy in zones 7-10 and can be dug up for storage in colder climates.
Foliage ranges from green, red and bronze, while flowers come in orange, red, yellow, pink and white. They can come in a combination of colors as well.
This plant is most known for their large seasonal blooms and full foliage. Their blooms don't last very long but they are continuous. Trimming off dead flowers will help produce new flowers faster.
Fun Fact: Canna Lilies do attract hummingbirds!
This plant is non-toxic to pets and humans. Check out Podcast Ep#31 for more info or the corresponding blog post!
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Love, Holly (Owner & Creator of Houseplant Homebody LLC)