Water canna is a herbaceous perennial in the canna family (Cannaceae) native to the wetlands of tropical America. The name comes from the Greek word kanna meaning "reed like". It grows best in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade (it cannot grow in full shade). They grow 4-6’ tall with narrow, blue-green leaves (up to 18” long) and small pale-yellow flowers. In warmer zones, the rhizomes may be left in the soil to over winter. After the first frost, cut the foliage down to the ground and cover with available mulch. In colder zones, dig up the rhizomes and bring inside and store them in peat or vermiculite in a cool dry space with temperatures between 45 - 50 degrees. The rhizomes should be planted after the last spring frost. It is best to plant the rhizomes at least 5 inches deep and 12 inches apart. Spent flowers should be removed to encourage continued flowering through the summer months. Plants in containers can be left in their containers once brought inside. As one of its common names implies, Water canna can be grown in water. These aquatic cannas can be grown in shallow still or slow-moving water, up to 6 inches during the summer. If growing them in water, they should be introduced to water gradually. The showy yellow flowers appear in clusters at the end of stems and bloom most of the summer. The large narrow leaves clasp the stem and provide ornamental interest. Use the plant to provide color around ponds and bogs in groups and rain and water gardens Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Keep in mind that rhizomes may rot in poorly drained wet soils and the plants are susceptible to damage from aster yellows. Japanese beetles, leaf-rolling caterpillars, slugs and snails that are known to chew on the foliage. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Canna .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large, narrow, blue-green, paddle-shaped leaves that are very colorful and provide ornamental interest when not in flower. They clasp the center stem and resemble a banana plant.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Gladiolus-like flower spikes that bloom in late summer through early fall. Flower colors include red, salmon pink, yellow, and burnt orange. What appears to be petals are actually petaloid stamens.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Prickly 3-parted capsule
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Tall, erect stem supporting colorful flowers.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South Carolina to tropical America
Distribution
S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, northwards through C. America to Mexico and Texas; through the Caribbean to Florida, S. Carolina.
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies and is a larval host for the Brazilian Skipper.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Host plant for
Brazilian Skipper
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Uses (ethnobotany)
Its roots have been harvested to make an edible starch.