Canna × generalis
Canna lily (Canna × generalis) is a perennial. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -12 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Non-toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €4.90. We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens.
It does not overwinter outdoors here: the rhizomes must be lifted in autumn and stored frost-free. Its huge banana-like leaves and vivid flowers give a bed or a large tub a tropical look from summer until the frosts; cultivars range from half-metre dwarfs to giants over two metres, with green, bronze or striped leaves, so check the height and leaf colour when choosing. It wants heat, full sun, rich soil and plenty of water, and looks best out of the wind. Plant the rhizomes after the spring frosts, in mid May (they can be started in pots from March); after the first frost cut the stems to 15 cm, lift the clumps and keep them in barely damp peat or sand at 5 to 10 °C. Container plants can be brought in together with their pot.
| Group | Perennial |
| Light | Full sun |
| Size after 10 years | 1.5 m × 60 cm |
| Ultimate size | 0.4–2.4 m × 0.4–1.8 m |
| Hardiness | down to -12 °C (USDA 8, RHS H5) |
| Soil | Average garden soil |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Flowering | June–October, red, orange, yellow, pink, white |
| Water need | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Low |
| Maintenance | Medium |
| Root aggressiveness | Low |
| Suckering | no data |
| Spreading | Low |
| Distance from buildings | no data |
| Distance from paving | no data |
| Litter | not typical |
| Planting distance | 50 cm |
| For dogs | Non-toxic |
| For cats | Non-toxic |
| For children | no data |
| Typical price | from about €4.90 |
Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.
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The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.
|
Size
|
Typical price
|
|---|---|
| 30-50 cm | approx. €9 |
| size not stated | approx. €4.90 – €7 |
Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made
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