Canna Lily Canna 'Amundsen'

Water

Cannas, including the Canna 'Amundsen', demand consistent moisture and should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry. Typically, this could mean watering once a week, but during hot or windy weather, you might need to water every few days. When watering, avoid getting water on the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases; instead, direct water to the base of the plant. It's important to ensure the plant receives a deep watering, which might mean using up to 2 gallons per plant, depending on the size and the environmental conditions.

Light

Cannas thrive in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The Canna 'Amundsen' will perform best in a location that receives unobstructed sunlight throughout most of the day. If planted indoors, a south-facing window is the ideal spot for it to ensure it gets enough light.

Temperature

The Canna 'Amundsen' prefers warm temperatures and grows best between 60°F and 90°F. Frost is detrimental to cannas, so ensure the plant is protected or brought indoors if temperatures approach the minimum threshold of 50°F. Ideal growth is seen when night temperatures do not drop below 60°F.

Pruning

Pruning Canna 'Amundsen' is primarily done to remove spent flowers and damaged or diseased leaves, which encourages more blooms and maintains plant health. Cut back foliage to the ground level in late fall after leaves have died back, usually after the first frost. During the growing season, deadhead flowers as they fade and prune as necessary to keep the plant looking its best.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Canna lilies, including the 'Amundsen', is a rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. A mix composed of loamy soil, compost or well-rotted manure, and some sand or perlite to improve drainage will support healthy growth.

Repotting

Canna lilies generally need to be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when they outgrow their current container. However, since they are often grown as annuals, they may not require repotting if renewed each season.

Humidity & Misting

Canna lilies thrive in moderate to high humidity levels but are adaptable to typical outdoor conditions. Aim for 40-70% humidity for optimal growth if growing them indoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright light, warm temps, and space for growth.

• Outdoor

  Choose sunny spot, protect from strong winds, enrich soil.

• Hardiness zone

  7-11 USDA

Life cycle

Canna 'Amundsen', commonly known as Canna Lily, begins its life cycle as a rhizome, which germinates in warm soil to produce shoots that grow into lush foliage. The foliage stage is characterized by large, paddle-shaped leaves that often have colorful streaks or patterns, making the plant attractive even before it flowers. Following the vegetative stage, the Canna Lily enters its flowering stage in the summer, where it produces vibrant blooms that can be red, orange, yellow, or pink atop tall stalks, attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers are followed by seed pods that dry and split open to release seeds, although gardeners more commonly propagate Cannas through division of the rhizomes rather than by seed. As the growing season ends, in cooler climates the foliage dies back to the ground with the onset of frost, and the rhizomes can be overwintered underground or stored in a frost-free area to be replanted the next spring. Each year, the rhizomes can be divided in early spring to produce new plants, thereby continuing the life cycle of the Canna Lily.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The most popular method of propagating Canna 'Amundsen', commonly known as Canna Lily, is through division of its rhizomes. This is typically done in the spring as the plant emerges from dormancy. To propagate, gardeners should carefully dig up the clumps of rhizomes after the last frost, making sure not to damage them. With a clean and sharp knife, the rhizomes are then cut into sections, ensuring each section has at least one eye, or growth point. These sections are then planted about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters) deep in well-draining soil, spaced about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for ample growth. Water the newly planted rhizomes thoroughly to help establish them. The warm temperature and moist soil of spring provide an ideal environment for the rhizomes to take root and thrive.