Canna lilies are a vibrant addition to any garden, loved for their lush foliage and striking, exotic-looking flowers. Their tropical flair and ability to attract hummingbirds make them a favorite among gardeners. While often grown as annuals in cooler climates, canna lilies are perennials in warmer zones. To enjoy these beauties year after year, especially in regions with cold winters, proper Canna Lily Care, particularly overwintering, is essential.
Understanding how to care for canna lilies, from planting to winter storage, ensures a spectacular display of color in your garden and healthy plants that thrive. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about canna lily care, focusing on how to successfully overwinter your cannas and bring them back to life each spring.
Why Overwinter Canna Lilies?
Canna lilies are not frost-hardy. In regions experiencing freezing temperatures, leaving canna lily tubers in the ground over winter can lead to rot and loss of your plants. However, canna lilies are grown from rhizomes, often referred to as tubers or bulbs, which can be dug up and stored indoors during the dormant winter months. This process, known as overwintering, protects the rhizomes from frost and allows you to replant them in the spring for another season of vibrant blooms.
Even in milder climates, overwintering can be beneficial. It allows you to divide overcrowded clumps of canna lilies, rejuvenate older plants, and expand your canna lily collection. By properly storing your canna lily tubers, you’ll not only ensure their survival but also have plenty to replant and even share with fellow gardening enthusiasts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Overwintering Canna Lily Tubers
The process of overwintering canna lilies is straightforward and rewarding. Here’s a detailed guide to help you successfully store your canna tubers:
1. When to Dig Up Canna Tubers
The ideal time to dig up your canna lily tubers is after the first frost has blackened the foliage. The frost signals the end of the growing season and the beginning of dormancy for your cannas. Wait until the leaves have turned brown and limp, which usually occurs in late fall or early winter, before the ground freezes solid.
2. Preparing the Canna Lilies for Digging
Once the foliage has been frosted, cut the canna lily stalks down to about 4-6 inches above the ground. This makes handling the plants easier and prepares the tubers for digging. Removing the bulk of the foliage reduces moisture loss and makes the digging process more manageable.
3. Digging Up the Canna Tubers
Carefully remove any mulch from around the base of the canna plants to expose the tubers. Using a garden fork or shovel, dig a circle around each plant, ensuring you are a few inches away from the stalks to avoid damaging the tubers. Gently loosen the soil and lift the entire clump of tubers out of the ground. Canna tubers multiply over the growing season, so you’ll likely find a substantial cluster of rhizomes.
4. Cleaning and Dividing the Tubers (Optional)
Once dug up, gently remove excess soil from the canna tubers. You can tap them together to dislodge the dirt. At this stage, you can divide larger clumps of tubers if desired. Each section with at least one “eye” (bud) can grow into a new plant. Dividing is a great way to propagate your canna lilies and prevent overcrowding. However, division is not strictly necessary for overwintering and can be done in the spring as well.
5. Preparing for Storage
Allow the dug-up canna tubers to air dry for a few days in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. This curing process helps to dry the outer skin and prevent rot during storage.
Prepare storage containers. Large plastic bags placed in shallow trays, crates, or even cardboard boxes work well. Line the bottom of the containers with an insulating material such as dry leaves, shredded newspaper, or pine needles. This helps to protect the tubers from temperature fluctuations and moisture.
6. Storing Canna Tubers
Place the canna tubers in the prepared containers, ensuring they are not touching each other too closely to allow for air circulation. Cover the tubers with more of your chosen insulating material, completely burying them to protect them from cold and drying out.
Store the containers in a cool, dark, and dry location where temperatures remain consistently between 40-50°F (4-10°C). A basement, unheated garage, or crawl space are ideal locations. Avoid storing them in areas that experience freezing temperatures or are too warm, as both extremes can damage the tubers.
7. Monitoring During Winter Storage
Periodically check your stored canna tubers throughout the winter months. Ensure the storage material is dry, and discard any tubers that show signs of rot or disease to prevent it from spreading. Slight shriveling is normal, but excessive drying can be prevented by slightly misting the storage medium if it becomes too dry.
Planting Canna Lilies in Spring
In the spring, once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, it’s time to bring your canna lilies back to life.
1. When to Plant
Wait until the soil is warm and daytime temperatures are consistently above 60°F (15°C) before planting canna tubers. Planting too early in cold soil can lead to rot.
2. How to Plant
Choose a sunny location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Canna lilies thrive in full sun. Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil and amending it with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
Dig shallow holes, about 4-6 inches deep. Place the canna tubers horizontally in the holes, with the eyes (buds) facing upwards. Cover the tubers with a thin layer of soil, about 2-4 inches, and gently water the planting area. Avoid planting too deeply, as this can delay sprouting.
3. Canna Lily Care During the Growing Season
Once planted, water canna lilies regularly, especially during dry periods. They prefer consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Fertilize them monthly with a balanced fertilizer to encourage vigorous growth and abundant blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the summer and into the fall.
Canna lilies are not only beautiful but also attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. They can also host the Brazilian Skipper butterfly, whose caterpillars feed on canna leaves. While some gardeners might consider this a pest, it’s a fascinating part of the canna lily life cycle and an opportunity to observe nature in your backyard.
By following these canna lily care tips, especially the overwintering process, you can enjoy these spectacular plants in your garden for many years to come. Their vibrant colors and tropical charm will bring a touch of the exotic to your landscape, while attracting beneficial pollinators and adding to the biodiversity of your garden. Happy gardening!
