CANNA LILY Overwintering - How to Store Bulbs (Rhizomes) over Winter

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One of my favorite tender perennials to grow on my deck are various varieties of Canna Lilies. They're easy to grow, produce gorgeous foliage and flowers all summer, and bring a lovely tropical energy. But what do you do when fall comes and the cold weather starts? In this video I outline exactly what to do so you can safely and easily store your Canna Lily rhizomes over the winter and then replant them again in the following spring.
#cannalily #garden #plants #cannas #tropicana

[@carolday3381]

Never break them apart before storage. Your forcing them to have to recover in addition to overwinter. You can break apart in spring when your planting them. The bigger clumps can share their stored resources so survive better through winter. When you break them apart the smaller pieces are trying to heal the break off points plus survive and if it’s the one nearer the top it dries and desiccates that much easier before spring. Large clumps survive better. Just let the mud dry up leaving moisture in the cracks then store them.

[@plantvibrations]

🙌🙌

[@marybrown616]

Can I leave in the ground in SW pa.

[@norpellc]

We typically put up about 100 rhizomes for overwintering. I wrap each one in 1 page of newspaper, put them in a bucket, layering about 50 in each bucket. I sprinkle, spritz each layer lightly, and cover bucket with a vented top (2- 1” holes). Once a month, I open top, spritz top layer lightly, then replace top. Using this method, I find a 90-100% survival rate. We have perpetuated our original 6 cannas in this manner now for 20 years. I keep them in garage until garage temp gets down below 40, then move them to the coolest corner of our basement until ready to separate and plant in the spring. We love them!

[@plantvibrations]

Omg that’s amazing. You’ve really found an excellent method with such a high success rate. Thank you for sharing Curt

[@primesspct2]

I have never had peat moss to store mine in, and while that may be nice; it is absolutely not necessary to overwinter cannas. They spread so prolifically anyway. All I did was dig them , spread them out in cardboard boxes in a single layer to dry . Put them in my attic dry, and stored them over the winter. No spraying, no peat moss. I am too afraid of fungi and mold. I am in Ohio and that worked for me. I only lost one or two, but they had increased so much I had 5 times the amount I started with. So cannas everywhere!

[@plantvibrations]

Cannas everywhere! Love it. Thank you for sharing what has worked for you!

[@brendamaun5455]

Ditto for me in PA.

[@johngamero3242]

Awe geeze Edith’s.😊 (Kidding) I just did what this man said and I live in Philadelphia. I even waited a whole week allowing them to rest after I plucked them from their pot, thrashed them around and broke up the happy family. OH THE FOLIAGE! Now u’s tell me that i didnt’s have to waste a bag of pee moss, wha ever that is. Are my children gonna die? Will the worms crawl in? Will the worms crawl out? This is all PLANTA’s fault for not having any winterization help in their app, for several of the items that I have. And absolutely no bulb support for winterization and no terrarium help. It’s good for letting you know when you should water some thing but don’t get a subscription. Back to my canna lily… Philadelphia, bag of Peat moss with Canna Lily Rhizomes resting in layers in the moss. Should I disassemble or leave it?

[@plantvibrations]

@@johngamero3242 lol just leave it! I’m out in Chester county and that’s how I do it and it always works for me

[@brendamaun5455]

Ditto for me in PA. I put them in trays on newspaper and covered them with the same. Stored them in my barely above freezing garage all winter. I lost a few but like others have said, I had plenty that survived.

[@inskee]

I am in south New Jersey. Zone 7a. I was given cannas a few years ago and planted them along the front of my house. I have never dug them up. They grow larger and more beautiful than the year before. They multiply and spread nicely. This spring I shared them with others. Today, 10/7/23 I had hummingbirds feed off the few remaining flowers. They are covered with oak leaves by nature each winter.

[@plantvibrations]

Wooow!! I’m in 6b maybe I should see if they’d overwinter in my garden

[@ablanccanvas]

You’re so lucky you don’t have to dig them up! ♥️👍🏽

[@sirj820]

What part of jersey. I’m here in Trenton… I’m guessing I’ll be good as well…. Great to hear 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@jerseytwister2489]

NJ 6b/7a Wish I saw this earlier today as I just dug all mine up! Thank You next year they will stay in the ground ❤

[@sandramoran6467]

Solid recommendations. Last year I mistakenly took advice from another KZbinr who said try cedar shavings instead of peat moss. Opened my container in spring to find 80% of my rhizomes moldy/mush!! ONLY USE PEAT MOSS and use Devin’s process. Good thing is rhizomes are resilient… my crop that was plantable have reproduced and I’m harvesting a solid crop again. Thanks for your video!!

[@plantvibrations]

hi sandra! the peat moss should work well! just make sure your rhizomes are totally dry before adding them to the bag/box. thats amazing that you were still able to salvage the rhizomes! i looooove the cannas, definitely worth the extra effort to overwinter them

[@seanmcilvenie9097]

I kept my canna in its pot over winter. I just moved it under shelter to stay moist. I spring I split the rhisomes into equal sized pots. I have grown canna for 5 years now. I have 12 of my own.

[@deadmanretrns4938]

I stored them for a friend last year in my bedroom in a paper bag believe it or not wrapped in newspaper. She planted them here in Bethlehem,PA. Her boyfriend n her dug em for for winter n they have tons the plants quadrupled in size. So much that they will have to store them for themselves this year. Two of my favorite things in life are aquariums n plants the third thing would be amazing to find a boyfriend to enjoy this hobby with. But love the video.

[@plantvibrations]

Wow that’s so cool! It is amazing how much they multiply

[@barbarabattistella3056]

Yeah!!

[@farmhandluke5182]

Thanks for sharing how to properly overwinter the rhizomes, I have a nice new bed of the (Pretoria) Variegated bengal 🐯 tiger canna Lilly , and was glad to see you post this video!👍 thanks for your time and effort making these plant videos! Much appreciated!🌻🐝🌻

[@plantvibrations]

fantastic! bengal tiger are some of my favorites!

[@bakerbitzz]

Thanks! I was thinking about growing some of these next year. Glad to see you have a video on starting them as well

[@plantvibrations]

Awesome! they are definitely one of my favorite foliage plants! you should definitely try them

[@cobaltxxxfusion]

A coating of elemental Sulfur, is also a great preventative and protection from decay. Treat them like your making fried chicken. Spray first with water. Add a bit of Sulfer in a plastic bag, shake and coat. Carefully place and cover as to maintain coating. Add those freshly sprayed/coated rhrisomes to your peat. This method works great on those bits and pieces, so treat them as if they were not broken. What do you have to lose? I have seen some amazing things over the years in plant propagation and learned to never under estimate the amazing potential of even the smallest (within reason) bit of plant material. I would however keep my bits and pieces in a seperate box from the wholes. FYI, mice will not bother due to the sulfer taste.

[@plantvibrations]

Awesome tips!!

[@kipplockwood1368]

Here in Colorado I find that I can just let them air dry a week or two and then pile them up in a big plastic container with their tops up. Later put the lid on loosely and leave them till spring. Since I plant mine in a garden bed, in the fall when I cut them down, I leave a 6-8” stem on them and use the dried out stem as a marker for where I’ve planted them. That way I don’t accidentally dig them up when planting around them.

[@plantvibrations]

very nice. and you don't do give them any kind of moisture during that winter period?

[@kipplockwood1368]

@@plantvibrations No, the plastic container will keep enough moisture around them. I also have a cellar in my old victorian house that stays at a good temperature and probably holds a certain amount of moisture in the air as well. since I’ve been doing this with all of my tubers I’ve had a lot of success. Even with my dahlias which I used to have so much trouble getting them to last the winter, this method works just fine.

[@gobbletegook]

Thanx for posting. The one thing that I do is hose off the rhizomes to get the dirt off. I put them over the garden so I do not waste the dirt, or have to clean it up.

[@plantvibrations]

Love it!

[@tulle7358]

But, Thank you for otherwise a great video!! I’m going to try your way to store my cannas this year… 😊

[@plantvibrations]

Please do!

[@chestnutrice9855]

hi I love ur energy. thanks for the video, love from egypt 🐱

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for watching :)

[@blessedlove3183]

Thank you 😍

[@plantvibrations]

You're welcome 😊

[@SusanDunseath]

Very informative I’m ready to go thanks

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susandewson3171]

I usually leave some dirt on them, as this will help keep them from drying out...separating and drying in mho is not necessary. I put them in baskets and cover with newspaper. Zone 7a

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@wootsie28]

Enjoyed the video, thanks for the tips!

[@plantvibrations]

Hope they helped!

[@kitkatkrissy]

I use chunky bark mulch in plastic storage bins. I put a layer on the bottom and a layer of bulbs and another layer of mulch, etc, until I get it topped off. I do the same for my Elephant Ears. I've never had to spritz, but I store the plastic bins in humid, dirt floor, crawl space/basement.

[@plantvibrations]

Do you see the bags or leave them open?

[@kitkatkrissy]

I open the bag of pine bark mulch and spread a layer onto the bottom of the plastic bin. Then layer with canna rhizomes, then spread another layer and keep going until I spread a top layer of over the top. You don't have to put too much bark mulch between layers of rhizomes. It's worked for me for years. I have quite a lot of canna rhizomes after years of saving them! I do put the cover on the bin, but I poke holes in the cover. I use my drill for that.

[@michaelholm1692]

ok thanks ......I grow them from seeds early spring inddoor and out in may-june ...though slightly behind overwinthering rizomes in growth😊

[@plantvibrations]

nice! that is some great gardening

[@sabine3769]

I love your channel

[@plantvibrations]

:)

[@nazruye]

Did you make a video of how to plant this bulbs in the spring?

[@plantvibrations]

Cannas: How to Plant Canna Rhizomes kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWqpo5iXqNanmLs

[@Mimilovestogarden]

We live in N. TX, once we get our 1st freeze and the Canna leaves turn brown I cut the foliage down to the ground. I leave the rhizomes in the ground. Come Spring they burst back out of the ground ready for another year of beautiful showy plants. Very hardy plants

[@plantvibrations]

That's awesome! i wish they would stay alive in the ground where I live

[@MelissaM83]

So i started a couple seeds, i have about a 6 to 8 inch sprout right now and winter is coming. Im obviously not going to put it outside right now, but im not sure what to do now that its started taking off right before winter comes. I'll be keeping her in my front window but im curious if she will continue to grow throughout the winter indoors in my window and if so should i up pot now. I can't seem to find a video on what to do now that i have good growth..... Vid title idea So you decided to grow a canna lilly seed, and it's growing great: what now?!?!

[@plantvibrations]

Haha great video idea! And your instincts are correct. Maybe consider using a grow light as well

[@rickburt4275]

Hi How about leaving them in their pot and dividing in the spring ? Your peat looked like it was slightky moist in the bag--mine is in a bale and is bonr dry and it repels moisture. Will that work? ... I have a canna called Musifolia. It is one of my favorite plants. The tubers are round and onion like. It grows to 7 0r 8 feet tall and blooms a lot. It has red and green leave.I overwinter it by putting clumps in a plastic bag in the basement.The smaller kind you are talking about I have tried to overwinter,but have not been too succesful.I would be glad to give you a tuber of Musifolia if you are interested.

[@plantvibrations]

I think storing in the container is the best way, I’ve also had more success that way. Just looked up that canna! Wow!

[@cynthiaann4465]

I have also heard of using slightly moistened vermiculite instead of peat moss. Thanks!!

[@plantvibrations]

Yes I have done that too, it’s a great way as well

[@makemecry6604]

That’s what I used for mine basically I buried ‘‘em in. Cardboard box with vermiculite

[@takemyjobpleeez]

Cannas are seen everywhere here in South Carolina. Luckily, they can stay in the ground here. Years ago, my granny had the tallest cannas I've seen, but they had very small red flowers. I'm not sure what type they were.

[@plantvibrations]

Perhaps Canna musifolia!

[@GardeningwithSunitaSharma]

Great sharing

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for visiting

[@dlebreton7888]

My cannas are stored in cedar shavings in paper bags, no spray of water. I make sure they do not touch each other.

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ernestfultz6159]

If planted in a pot just cover with garbage bag and store in a cool basement during the winter. and separate in the spring. only reason to do what he did is if you live in a cold region and they are planted in the ground or you plan to sell them over the winter months, canna lilys go dormant when no water is available. keep that in mind before you spritz them.

[@plantvibrations]

Or if you have no room for more pots in the garage. And to refresh them with new potting mix the following year.

[@deverypierce4022]

Thanks!

[@plantvibrations]

Thank you 😊

[@marytheresataglang1474]

Just found a bunch of discarded Cannas at my township's compost site. Some of the rhizomes are intact. Many are not- clearly someone was rough with them. Any insights beyond this very insightful video? Nothing looks diseased and there are a ton!

[@plantvibrations]

You should definitely overwinter them and see how many you can salvage! I get quite a few

[@JulieMoran1832]

My canna lily die back every winter and come back on their own, ever spring. Short of trimming and deadheading, I've never pulled my canna and stored them inside. I don't get this idea.

[@plantvibrations]

you're lucky enough to live where they can handle the winter!

[@ohyeah3750]

Seems to me it would be easier to keep dipping them in water and then separating them. Then let dry.

[@plantvibrations]

Try it out!

[@ohyeah3750]

I just tried it with a hose and it works great. You can see where to separate them much better. Sometimes they separate themselves when using the hose.

[@HtySu]

By misting the peat moss lightly and storing them during winter; won't they still be growing during storage? I don't have a garage or basement to store them in. Any suggestions?

[@plantvibrations]

you can just put them in a closet or cupboard. but no they won't grow bc there will be no light

[@joanandaya128]

We were surprised to see them during spring season after we have purchased our home. Can the bulbs just be left alone and hoping it will bloom in spring?

[@plantvibrations]

Awesome!! If they’re mulched over well and are able to stay relatively dry then they can make it through winter

[@markblix6880]

I just checked my rhizomes and they are bone dry and mostly dead so I put some moisture in the peat with the survivors.

[@plantvibrations]

Yes that was a smart move

[@hoppincin]

Do I have to dig them out of the ground each year or can I leave them in the ground? I’m in Michigan and I just cut my leaf’s with the yellowing seeds inside. They had some earwigs hiding in the leaves but I took them out and pulled the leafs away from the seeds

[@plantvibrations]

You could add a thick layer of mulch on top to try to help them over winter but it’s a coin toss whether they’d make it in michigan

[@KahikinaOhana]

So, i live in Southwest Idaho. Winters can be harsh (snowmaggedon happened here, too), but summers are hot hot! I was gifted a beautiful red canna, kept it in the container all season and on the back patio, which is hot, too, but shaded. It thrived well, and now i just harvested the seeds. How and when do those go into earth? Or do they begin in pots? Also, what us your climate? Do yours grow best in filtered sun, shade, full sun, heat-temperature friendly? Ive nitived a lot of black "burn" spots happening to lots of my plants...ozone-related? Thank you! Ill check back soon! This video was a big help... I appreciate it 🙏

[@plantvibrations]

Hi, I am in zone 6b. Perhaps not quite as hot of summers as you. You’ll start the seeds in small pots over the winter

[@KahikinaOhana]

Thank you! And now...the wait 👌🩷

[@scottrobert2724]

Im in zone 7 in new york and it take so much time to dig the 100s of rhizomes out every fall. What do you think about rubber mulch wonder if that would work. thinking planting my canna lily rhizomes in mix of 70% rubber mulch and 30% soil in the ground. maybe over winter it will help them getting too wet and rotting as the rubber wont hold water. Also the rubber i think in the soil will help insulate the rhizomes

[@plantvibrations]

I’d just be very careful about the rubber mulch, once it’s there it’s never going away. I think some wood chips would do the trick, and over time they’ll break down and add to the soil quality

[@scottrobert2724]

@@plantvibrations thank you i use wood chips in all my beds in front of my house. I have a small bed of only cannas in back. i decided to cut them down lay all the big canna leaves on top then i put about 3-4 inches of rubber mulch on top. Lets see how they do. They say a bad winter here in ny.

[@scotth.9295]

Luckily where I live we don’t have to dig them up in the winter. I gave a friend some orange Kanas for her birthday. She sent me a picture of the leaves and it looks like something is eating them. Any idea what that could be?

[@plantvibrations]

Hmm maybe bunnies?

[@scotth.9295]

@@plantvibrations I never thought about bunnies

[@sarabear7432]

I live in Eastern Washington state we have to dig them up here aswell. Pain I'm the rump. This year I planted 900 tubers so I will be digging canna out forever last year it was a job at 400 lol. But it's so beautiful with them all over its worth it I tell myself. 😍

[@HtySu]

Just some of the things that eat mine are Grasshoppers, June Bugs(small green ones), Bagworm Caterpillars/ Larvae from my neighbor's and small green caterpillars.

[@MarkFagerburg]

@@HtySu The green 'June bugs' are Japanese Beetles.

[@156aliciasy]

So do you plant in the ground? If so, what do u do with those holes when you dig them up?

[@plantvibrations]

You’ll just want to shake off the excess soil and fill the hole back in with it

[@156aliciasy]

Hello so even when it's a big plant you can clip it back like this? Will they grow tall again by the next summer?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes absolutely! They’re incredibly fast growers once they start taking off

[@monkeybar88]

My cana over wintered in the ground in South Dakota no mulch -10F... So is this necessary? I pulled a bunch of seeds this year so I can hatch them if needed. But do I need to bother with all this trouble or can I just chop them down and let them come back next year!?!?

[@plantvibrations]

Wow lucky you! Keep doing what you’re doing

[@tntropics]

In zones 6 and up in the USA they can overwinter in ground.

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks!

[@JanetListon]

@@plantvibrationsDo you agree with this comment?

[@plantvibrations]

I’ve never had success in my zone 6b. In zone 7b I’d say so

[@tntropics]

@@JanetListon Google "9 things I've learned about canna in zone 5" and read comments about halfway down. I literally knowa ton of people in zone 6 that leave in ground and here in zone 7A I have never lost a single bunch.

[@MaryDingeman]

In California, can you just cut back the foliage and leave in ground?

[@plantvibrations]

For most regions yes

[@beverlyfunderburk8516]

maybe I'm mistaken but that's the skinniest most sickly looking canna I've ever seen.

[@plantvibrations]

thats what they look like at the end of the season

[@michmorr1911]

What about storage temperature. Is a vold room okays?

[@plantvibrations]

Between 45-55f is ideal

[@aleenadababneh4239]

Hi! Can you use sheet moss if you don’t have peat?

[@plantvibrations]

I have never tried, I would be concerned about it holding excess humidity but it’s worth a try

[@PhoenixFyreRising]

I have Canna Lily Paridoso ... I also live in Florida where our night temperature reaches in the 30's at night only a few times a year and 60's during the day. Should I still store the rhizomes or leave it alone. Here in Florida if we get a freeze since they are rare... we put sheets over our outdoor plants only at night. I never read here that we cut the plant down and store it. Advise appreciated.

[@plantvibrations]

Hi Robin. for you there is no need to dig them up and store them like this. if you have a very cold night or two and experience foliage damage, just cut those leaves off, or cover them with sheets the night before like you stated

[@PhoenixFyreRising]

@@plantvibrations Thanks. I needed to know that. I am new to outdoor plants but don't want to learn the wrong way, lol

[@MarkFagerburg]

I live in Richmond, VA (zone 7a) and leave the cannas in the ground over winter. The foliage dies back (we usually hit 0 to -5 once or twice) but it comes right back in the spring.

[@carolhansum5402]

Can you use vermiculite instead of Peat Moss? I live in central Alberta. Canada

[@plantvibrations]

Yep you can. Just be cognizant that it doesn’t dry out too much over the winter

[@lauradevers4170]

Is your garage heated in the winter? Is an unheated attached garage ok to store canna? 6a central ohio

[@plantvibrations]

It is not. It stays about 45-55f

[@jinnabeauchemin2086]

Can you take it into the house as a house plant?

[@plantvibrations]

you can but i fear it will just slowly lose its attractiveness. but worth a try

[@kenvandewal5726]

Can you put them in an area that freezes?

[@plantvibrations]

they want to remain above freezing

[@danpeoples]

What if they are outdoors in the ground? I’m in Maryland. Do I have to pull them?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes you will want to dig them up. but they're typically hardy to zone 8 so perhaps where you live you could leave them and cover with about 4 inch of mulch so keep them warm over winter and see what happens.

[@bluejay3945]

Live in Harford Country and one guy has a canna bed set against the brick foundation and facing due south. His cannas return each year because he apparently has a microclimate. Technically we are zone 7a which is not suitable for cannas but if you are close to DC you have a chance It appears that the variegated leafed ones are much more tender

[@irenewanklin8889]

where can i buy the tallest cana bulbs in ont. canada

[@plantvibrations]

hmmm that a tough one. check online next spring. most purveyors will not have their 2023 spring offerings updated as of yet

[@josevela7868]

Curious what to do with the Seeds if we're saving the rhizomes🤔

[@plantvibrations]

save the seeds in a cool dark space until you're ready to plant

[@Mintstar_Oceanpop]

Here in southern Illinois some seeds that fall in the ground sometimes come back the next spring. Usually late spring.

[@rebeccajohnson629]

Can you store in garage

[@plantvibrations]

Yes

[@michaelholm1692]

He didnt talk about why ....he added moisture in the back ?? ,,why not leave it dry when its stored cool anyway ?? DK gartner

[@plantvibrations]

you need to find the perfect balance - too dry will lead it to shrivel up, too wet will lead to mold

[@barbarabattistella3056]

I didn’t see the beginning of the canna overwintering!

[@plantvibrations]

You got it!

[@chocchip5674]

Can I keep them in the pot?

[@plantvibrations]

You definitely can if you have space for it. Can be a bit trickier to maintain the correct humidity/moisture

[@chocchip5674]

@@plantvibrations ok thank you I am a beginner appreciate your videos

[@mariannastone1012]

@@plantvibrations I left mine in pots and put them under our house last winter. It's more like a root cellar. When I went to get them when i thought it would be warm enough outside, they had already started and was about 6 in. tall they have been beautiful all summer on my back porch

[@angelael5991]

Cold but wearing slippers lol!!

[@plantvibrations]

Lolol

[@ysabelpaige421]

Lasagna!!!!

[@plantvibrations]

:-)

[@Mintstar_Oceanpop]

Fun fact: almost all parts of the canna are edible.

[@plantvibrations]

Wow didn’t know that!

[@Mintstar_Oceanpop]

@@plantvibrations I've never eaten the other parts, but every year we make quimbolitos with the leaves. It's an Ecuadorian steamed cake, but I'm sure other cultures have something similar. It's actually pretty easy to make once you have the leaves and a recipe.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

@@plantvibrations pretty soon I'll be eating the soil too

[@platimer1]

Please stop using peat moss. Digging the carbon stored in the million year old bogs. Use coco husks ground now available or how about newspaper. thanks

[@plantvibrations]

Like much of science these days, different factions come to different conclusions re peat

[@NJBeemaster]

So much easier to use a garden hose on a harder spray to wash away the rhyzomes soil and you can see EVERYTHING that needs to be done - THEN just dry them. Why would you dry them for a week and then wash them so they need to dry again. You are just making work for yourself. AND PLEASE stop saying kinda, go back and count them, it's rediculous.

[@plantvibrations]

Gotcha

[@tulle7358]

Don support buying peat moss !! Find something else similar 🙏🏽

[@plantvibrations]

👍

[@jonasaur6462]

Those are small and pathetic. Not worthy of over-wintering.

[@plantvibrations]

Cool

[@MG-pj2oo]

Should a spray bottle be used throughout the winter (in Colorado, in a garage) at all? Or is the initial tiny spray all they should need until spring?

[@plantvibrations]

spritzing once a month is a good idea!

[@MG-pj2oo]

@@plantvibrations thank you so much! Curing the bulbs now 🤞

[@margies5906]

Thank you!

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for watching !

[@patriciapfahl2189]

Thanks!

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for watching!