Canna, also known as the flower cane, is one of the most popular tropical ornamental plants in this country. It can't just thrive on the balcony. She also feels comfortable in the garden. But what needs to be taken into account when planting this up to 1.50 m high ornamental plant from South America?
How do you properly care for canna plants?
Canna plants prefer a bright, warm location in full sun, a well-drained, nutrient-rich substrate with a pH value between 6 and 7. They can be planted in a container or in the garden, but must overwinter frost-free.
What location requirements does Canna have?
This tropical plant requires a bright and warm location. It prefers to grow in full sun. A partially shaded location forms their tolerance range. Canna is also happy about a wind-protected location.
Canna's substrate requirements are usually easy to meet. In the best case, the soil in which Canna is planted is kept fresh to moist and has the following properties:
- pH value between 6 and 7
- high nutrient and humus content
- good drainage
- easy
- sandy-loamy
Does Canna have to be advanced?
You don't necessarily have to grow Canna at home. However, if you want to admire the beautiful flowers for a long time in spring, it is advisable to grow the Canna rhizomes from January or February.
Choose a bright and warm place to advance the flower tube, for example near the heater. The rhizomes are inserted deep into the soil and the shoots appear after 10 to 12 days.
How can you propagate the plant?
Canna is best propagated by dividing its rhizomes. Sowing this tropical plant is less common. If you decide to sow seeds, start between February and early March.
This is how sowing works step by step:
- Carefully sand hard-shelled seeds
- Put seeds in lukewarm water for 12 to 24 hours
- Sow seeds 2 cm deep in soil
- Germination temperature: 20 to 25 °C
- Germination time: 1 week
In the pot or outdoors?
You can plant canna in the pot and put it on the balcony or terrace. It is also possible to plant the plant outdoors, for example in the garden bed.
But be careful: Canna does not tolerate frost. Therefore, you should wait until the ice saints have passed in May before planting. If the plant is to survive the winter, it should be cared for and overwintered accordingly.
Tips & Tricks
The rhizome of Canna may seem small, but the plant can grow large. Many varieties grow up to 1 m wide. Therefore, make sure to keep a reasonable distance from nearby plants.
