Canna lily Canna indica
Canna lily (Canna indica) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Cannaceae family, native to Tropical and subtropical Americas. It grows 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 50–80 cm (20–31 in) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Canna lily in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Canna lily at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Cannaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 10–16 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: rhizomes (cooked), young shoots |
| Native to | Tropical and subtropical Americas |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States |
| Invasive in | South Africa (invasive alien plant): check local rules before planting |
Is Canna lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Rhizomes are eaten cooked in parts of Asia; pet effects are not clearly documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Canna lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Canna lily in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (14 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (8 plants)
- Thai tropical garden (12 plants)
Questions about Canna lily
- How far apart should I plant Canna lily?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–80 cm (20–31 in).
- Does Canna lily need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Canna lily need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Canna lily?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Canna lily flower?
- From about July for 10–16 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Canna lily poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Rhizomes are eaten cooked in parts of Asia; pet effects are not clearly documented.
- What grows well with Canna lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Canna lily. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Tender rhizomatous perennial; rhizomes are lifted and stored in cold-winter gardens. Hybrid cannas flower from midsummer to frost.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus