Canna Lilies for Sun and Wet Spots, Delivered and Planted
Canna lily thrives in Southwest Florida wherever the sun is strong and the soil stays moist or even wet, with banana-like leaves and bright flowers from spring into fall. It suits rain gardens, pond edges and sunny beds. Expect some frost dieback inland and some leaf-roller chewing.
- Light:
- Full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade
- Water:
- High; thrives in moist to wet soil and shallow standing water
- Salt:
- Low; keep out of salt spray and salty soil
Canna Lily sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Canna Lily | Call for Quote |
Canna Lily in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 3 to 6 ft tall in clumps 2 to 3 ft wide; dwarf types stay under 3 ft
- Light
- Full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade
- Water
- High; thrives in moist to wet soil and shallow standing water
- Salt tolerance
- Low; keep out of salt spray and salty soil
- Cold tolerance
- Tops burn at frost and die back; the rhizomes resprout in spring
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Spacing
- 18 to 24 in apart; 2 to 3 ft for tall types
- Florida native
- No, though golden canna (Canna flaccida) is a Florida native
- Botanical name
- Canna x generalis
Where Canna Lily works in a SW Florida yard
Plant cannas in groups of three or five at the back of a sunny bed, beside a downspout, or along a pond or swale where the soil stays wet. The big blades of green, bronze or striped leaves give a tropical look, and red, orange, yellow or pink flowers follow in warm months.
Pair them with ginger, elephant ear and pentas. Keep them off the seawall side, since they do not like salt.
- Rain gardens and wet spots
- Pond and swale edges
- Bold tropical foliage beds
- Hummingbird and butterfly color
How our crew plants it
Plant with the top of the rhizome or root ball at soil level, in full sun, 18 to 24 inches apart. Mix compost into the native soil in each hole, since cannas like rich, moist ground. Mulch 2 inches deep and water in well. Cannas drink a lot, so use the extra watering Lee and Collier permit on new plantings.
Care after planting
- Water often in the dry season, since cannas wilt fast when sandy soil dries out.
- Cut spent flower stalks to keep blooms coming, and cut the whole clump back after a frost or when it looks ragged.
- Divide crowded clumps every two to three years in spring and replant the best rhizomes.
- Feed in spring and early fall with a slow-release fertilizer; the summer ban on nitrogen and phosphorus (June 1 to September 30) applies to cannas too.
- Cut off rolled leaves that hide caterpillars and drop them in the trash.
What to watch for
- Canna leafroller caterpillars, the young of the Brazilian skipper butterfly, roll the leaves into tubes and chew holes, and they are the main pest in Florida.
- Fungal leaf spots and rust show up in humid weather, so avoid overhead watering and clear dead leaves.
Canna Lily questions we hear
Do canna lilies grow well in Southwest Florida?+
Yes. They love heat, sun and moisture, and they bloom from spring into fall. Sandy soil dries fast, so plant them in a low spot or water often. Frost burns the tops inland, but the rhizomes resprout in spring, and leaf rollers are the main pest.
Why are my canna leaves full of holes and rolled up?+
Canna leafroller caterpillars, the young stage of the Brazilian skipper butterfly, roll the leaves into tubes and chew inside. Cut off the rolled leaves and throw them out, check new growth often, and treat young caterpillars with Bt if damage is heavy. The plant usually regrows.
How far apart should I plant canna lilies?+
Space them 18 to 24 inches apart, or 2 to 3 ft for tall types. They spread by rhizomes and form a dense clump in a season or two. Divide crowded clumps every two or three years to keep them blooming.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Canna Lily
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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