Can Cannas Grow In Florida?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Cannas are tropical bulbs that can add lush color and texture

to any Florida garden

, thanks to their beautiful flowers and interesting leaves.

How do you take care of cannas in Florida?

Cannas only need

minimal care

. They do like to be moist so the summer rains really help with the watering. I also add mulch and feed the plants every three months with a slow release fertilizer. That is about it to keep them growing.

What zone does cannas grow in?

ZONE: Cannas are winter hardy in

zones 9-10

. In cooler zones they can be grown as annuals or the roots can be dug up in the fall and stored indoors for replanting the next spring. Reference the USDA Hardiness zone map here.

What temperature can cannas tolerate?

How to plant Canna Lilies. Canna are root hardy perennials in places where the soil does not freeze, and can survive

air temperatures down to 0°F.

Canna bulbs (rhizomes) should be planted 2-4′′ deep after the last frost date and should not be planted after August, north of Zone 8.

Are cannas native to Florida?

Canna lily (Canna spp.) is a

native perennial flower in Florida

. Displaying bright yellow and deep orange flowers, the canna lily plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, has medium drought tolerance, prefers acid to alkaline soil and grows to a height of 2 to 6 feet.

How do you keep cannas blooming?

For best blooms,

plant cannas in full sun, water regularly and fertilize plants 2-3 times throughout the growing season

with a general 10-10-10 fertilizer. The most common reason for no flowers on a canna plant is overcrowding. When grown as perennials, canna lilies will grow and spread very quickly.

Do cannas bloom all year in Florida?

Cannas

bloom during warm months of the year

. They’re available in tall or small varieties. Rhizomes (they look like funky elongated potatoes) or young plants are usually available in spring at your local nursery.

Where is the best place to plant cannas?

A

position in full sun

is best, though cannas tolerate partial shade. Choose a site with at least four hours of direct sunlight. Morning or afternoon sun is ideal. Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost.

Are cannas poisonous to dogs?

Cannas – frequently referred to as “Canna Lily” though not truly a lily –

is also considered non-toxic to dogs

. Of course, this doesn’t mean dogs should be fed these plants intentionally, but rather that pet parents shouldn’t panic if their dog happens to grab a bite of either of these colorful plants.

How fast do cannas multiply?

Like iris plants, canna rhizomes

multiply quickly

and eventually older rhizomes in the center of the mass can be choked out. Dividing perennial grown cannas every 3-5 years will keep them growing in smaller healthier clumps.

Can you leave cannas in pots over winter?

If your cannas were growing in containers, you could simply move the containers somewhere cool and dry after the foliage dies down. On the other hand,

if air temperatures in your area never below freezing, you can leave your cannas in the ground over winter

.

Do cannas like wet soil?

Canna can tolerate some light afternoon shade, but too much shade prevents blooming.

Moist, almost wet soil also aids growth

and canna can grow well near or in shallow ponds and water features where the soil always remains moist.

What is the best fertilizer for cannas?

Cannas are not terribly picky when it comes to fertilizer. Cannas easily bloom all summer without much effort. For those of you who want to give your plants an extra boost, we recommend applying

5-10-5 or 10-10-10 two or three times during the growing season

.

Are cannas drought tolerant?

Canna lilies are tropical, so they thrive in heat, and though most varieties prefer some moisture, they’re

surprisingly drought-tolerant

. The plants have brilliant blooms topping lush foliage that reaches up to six feet in height.

How tall do cannas get?

Growth Habit: Cannas have a strong upright growth habit. Most varieties grow between

3-5 feet tall

, though dwarf types will top out under 2 feet and some can grow to be 8 feet tall. Staking: Though the plants grow to be fairly tall, they have strong, bulky stems, and rarely need to be staked.

How tall do dwarf cannas grow?

Cannas have large leaves and loose spikes of flowers which add tropical flavor to the summer garden. Dwarf Canna bulb varieties grow to an average height of

4-6 feet

. Find all Dwarf Canna plants and varieties for spring shipping here. Pricing is per package and per variety (quantity discounts apply).

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.