How I Overwinter Cannas: Mulch in the ground or dig up and keep in containers?

[@missdimples1982]

Love the little TPs. Like little fairy huts

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, they are! Room for a full on party for them 😂

[@tikitropicals65]

Hi George. I do keep some varieties as back ups in my greenhouse but in general most of my Cannas have stayed out for over 10 years now and comeback whatever the variety in my garden in Cambridgeshire. For me I think drainage is key. I always pot my Cannas up with lots of perlite in the mix to assure it’s free draining around the rhizomes. When planting out I can always add manure or organic material to the bottom of the hole to encourage them to root down into the moisture but keeping the top 6-8 inches free draining. On heavy clay this may not work as the ground would probably still hold to much water possibly be waterlogged but in general it really helps to pot up with a free draining mix. I follow the same rule with most of my plants including Colocasia and gingers.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, it sounds like you're basically the same as me then, they generally come through outside but you have a selection of potted backups. I completely agree with the drainage point and when any haven't made it here I generally put it down to the soil being too damp in general and the most of the garden being quite shaded so the colder soil persists longer. It's only really last winter I lost some but that's also the winter I didn't mulch to the same degree so there's probably a lesson there!

[@rstorey]

Perfect timing. Needed this video for my cannas. Great job.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries, happy to help!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Hi mate. Interesting to hear your experience with Stuttgart. Both Cleopatra and Stuttgart survived outdoors up here last winter. Cleopatra fairly exposed , Stuttgart near tree fern so a little more protected. All the purple cannas wyoming/black tropicana/canna bop get left in pots all year round then brought inside to the non lit garage stored dormant over the winter as they're more tender. Canna Bird of paradise has hated this summer, no flowers this year which was a shame. Nevermind, onwards and upwards

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks for your info too. Good to hear Cleopatra and Stuttgart have come through for you - I guess it just serves to show the difference in conditions. Although our garden didn't get that much colder than yours in absolute terms, we had lingering freezing fog and I think the extra shade and damp soil is what caused the damage. It sounds like you treat your other cannas like I do my potted and 'interesting' ones, move them somewhere away from severe freezes and treat them mean for winter! I hope next year is better for your Bird of Paradise Canna, they definitely seem to be an all or nothing plant but well worth it for the eventual flowers and graceful beauty.

[@DJSupaflyguy]

👌👌👌👌 Great tips 👍🫡 thanks.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks as always, pleased you enjoyed it!

[@stephendavies6506]

I had a canna in a pot hidding in the border under the bananas and ensette. It didnt grow much this year or even flower. I took it out of the pot, cut all the stems off. I then devided it up into 10 smaller pots and covered with 50/50 sand and compost mix. A week later shoots appeared. Now i have 10 plants all about a foot tall. Hopefully when they go out in the spring theyll earn their keep.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one and good work! Fingers crossed they bring you a garden full of tropical colour next summer!

[@DonMurrayYT]

Nice one George. Doing my Cannas and gingers today. Nearly all in pots so quite easy, but no real frost here yet so dahlias, Ricinus etc all still okay. I’m loathe to take the machete to them for another week or two.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Don! Good work and I'm completely with you. It's great to be prepared but certainly enjoy the milder temperatures while they're here!

[@markchitty6505]

Currently I only have one Canna, Red Velvet I think... along with 3 Ginger plants, all which are staying in the ground so great vid as always George... hopefully down here on the south coast, we do not get extreme cold this winter lol :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

In that case I'd definitely leave them in and mulch - I try to do vids to help people throughout the country but you're lucky to (hopefully) get away with mild winters the majority of the time!

[@wesleyhackney]

I grew some canna musafolia in some big pots this past season for first time. Since I’m in Florida panhandle 8b I’m going to chop them back put straw on top of them put the pots in an unheated greenhouse and wrap the pots with tarps and see how it goes.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, that sounds like a plan! I imagine your winters are a lot shorter than here so they'll be growing away again in no time!

[@wesleyhackney]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden usually don’t get a frost until mid December and last frost mid March and there are usually only 5 or less night below 0 C

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Sounds like they'll be fine then. A few months of dormancy then they'll be growing away in your spring warmth!

[@Wichitan]

I was raised in Oklahoma and have seen cannas in the ground my whole life. No mulch, no digging up. They overwinter in the ground just fine in a Zone 7 climate, even with extended hard freezes, sub-zero (F) temps, drought, and minimal protection.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, that's great and it really shows how tough these amazing plants are! Personally I think it really varies by variety but the very hardy ones seem to be able to come back from very prolonged cold without mulching or any care at all - my altensteinii did. I do tend to be slightly on the cautious side or at least balanced with my advice but I think another factor is how long the winters are in the UK. We might be in similar zones (8a equivalent here) but the temperature range and climates differ quite a bit I suspect and a lot of the time the USDA zones don't always translate well. I don't know your climate well but we tend to have very long, cool, wet and grey winters and then most of the summer is comparatively cool too. Whilst the outright temperatures might be similar or milder, the winter conditions can make it tougher for plants that stay in the ground and the slow build to any meaningful heat can really delay recoveries with palms etc. We all have our challenges and opportunities don't we!

[@davidbanner9001]

Durban, Cleopatra, Pretoria, Stuttgart, Musafolia, Tropicana Black, Red Russian, Happy Cleo, Jaegeriana, Edulis, Tuerckheimii all stay in the ground for winter with a mulch. Haven't lost any in the three years I have been growing them here in Cambridgeshire.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic, great to hear they're doing so well for you! It's only this past winter I've had any significant losses but I didn't get chance to mulch a lot so I think it really is worthwhile. What low temperatures did you get down to?

[@davidbanner9001]

I wasn't so much low temps last year -6 was the lowest. But the sustained cold. We had three separate occasions were temps never went above -1 during in the day for about 7-10 days. I buy 1500 litres of mulch each winter and hardly feed any plants during the growing season anymore. They just don't seem to need it. All my Cannas grow to their maximum size depending on the length of the season. Still have Musafolia at around 3.5m and Cleopatra around 2m at the top of the flower spikes. But I do water them several times a week. These will be cut down this coming Monday and mulched over.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It sounds like you were very similar to here then - we also avoided the lowest temperatures but had the prolonged freezes. I completely agree with you on the mulching - it absolutely is the best way to feed plants over the course of a season once they're settled in, along with all the other benefits! The extra water is key too. I think a lot of people prioritise fertiliser without getting those two dialled in first. Last year was better for my potted musifolia, they topped out at nearly twice the height and flowered, they seem to have been a bit more pedestrian this year with the cooler summer and my less consistent watering. Keep up the good work!

[@garethvanderwesthuyzen6420]

I live in Newcastle upon Tyne and grow Canna Cleopatra. Stays in the ground all year. Comes back bigger each time. To protect my ginger rhizomes I place the smaller leaves from my gunnera over the top in a tepee fashion.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Gareth and great to hear it comes back for you - it really does show how variable the plants and garden conditions are doesn't. That's a great idea with your gingers as the rhizomes tend to be close to the surface don't they.

[@NickCraggs]

I bought a canna sold as black canna (sure it has a proper name) and last year over wintered it in a pot in a green house and it did well. So this year I will be lifting it and putting it in a pot in the greenhouse. After last winter I don't know if I dare risk anyone a bit temperamental outside.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Nick, there's quite a few different darker ones but name aside, I'd probably do the same until it's large enough to divide and try some outside. It's always the way after a colder winter isn't it, you start to become a little bit more conservative and cautious, whereas two mild winters in a row and we start looking at what tropical plants can stay outside!

[@markchitty6505]

So today I have cut my Canna back to the ground along with my Gingers ( can not for the life of me remember the names ) ... covered them with one layer of fleece and a good 3 / 4 inches of wood chippings ..lets hope that does the trick :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, sounds like a good job! You might not really need the fleece under there but that's definitely going to offer a good level of protection. Just remember to move it before the plants start to push through which hopefully won't be too late if we have a kind, warm spring!

[@johnsandham1415]

I don't cut mine back till around february then mulch and cover. They look a mess by then but have come back strong each year. I'm in the south so that may be the difference. I just followed what a local friend does with his so locality in the country is key as always i guess 🤷‍♂️

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi John, if it works for you then keep doing it! The top growth will help shield the rhizomes to an extent and like you allude to, your location may make all the difference. Before last winter I'd not had a problem getting the vast majority through with little effort but a combination of the prolonged freezes and the damp, shady conditions in our garden took their toll. They're certainly tougher than a lot of people expect them to be, especially as the rhizomes get bigger and with good drainage.

[@TraceySwainston]

great video yet again.i have a washingtonia palm should i just mulch for winter?its trunk is about 4 inchs across & 8inch high.i have clay ish soil aswell ? thanks tracey ( bridlington )

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Tracey and thanks! With palms, you can much the roots if they're close to the surface but generally Washingtonia don't like being wrapped or enclosed without good airflow. I've seen some people (check out Dave Brown over at Hardy Tropicals) use overhead cover for theirs with great success but hopefully being close to the coast you should have a good chance of milder winters and just fleece it for any prolonged subzero spells.

[@sxcrob999]

Hey George! Great video again mate! I live down in south london/kent border.. I lifter my canna chopped it all back and have it in a cardboard box drying out. I was going to dry store it in my loft. Would this method be okay? Thanks!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, if it's a decent sized rhizome you can dry store it OK, if it's smaller I'd generally try to keep it ticking over in a dormant state in compost somewhere frost free.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

And thank you very much, I'm pleased you enjoyed the vid!

[@sxcrob999]

I would say its probably the size of a dinner plate, appreciate your advice! Thanks again

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, that should dry store for a fair while then - if you'd said it was smaller than the size of a fist then I'd have recommended against it.

[@rickc1798]

Great thanks George was thinking about my cannas. I don't have a poly tunnel or greenhouse , is the summerhouse/shed OK for them along with with the ensete ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, if they're in the ground I'd be tempted to leave them in and mulch, if they're in pots then the summerhouse /shed should give them some good protection.

[@rickc1798]

@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks they are in raised steel planters and the ensete are in pots.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

If they're in movable planters then I'd go for the summerhouse, yes.

[@GrowTropicalMK]

Hi George I dug up a load and put then in pots over winter in the shed. I am very optimistic, that we have seen the worst of this winter :-) Would you break them out now? I could put them under grow lights for a few months or put in the ground? Or do a combo?! I have noticed one that I left in the ground has started sprouting, but could also be a tulip.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and yes, we've hopefully seen the worst of it for now. Do you have a greenhouse or polytunnel to get them started in? I imagine it's more likely to be a tulip but who knows with the unseasonable mildness we had!

[@GrowTropicalMK]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks for the advice, yes I have a mini green house, which I will put them in for now.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries. If it's a very small mini greenhouse without any heating then I'd probably look to keep them frost free as a priority then maybe use it to get them 'started' in around a month or so when the sun is stronger and risks of frost are lower.

[@michellekahn7364]

Great vid thank you! Does anyone have experience with leaving Canna Musifolia out over winter? They are planted in the ground (new this year) and I’ve not got a greenhouse so they either need to stay out or go in the garage!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Michelle and thanks! Simon Mabury (whose garden I featured in my small jungle garden vid a month or two ago) leaves them outside and they came back, albeit slowly this year. Going through the comments they’ve come back for others as well, I’m probably overcautious but the soil here can be quite damp in winter. If you’ve got a few I’d be tempted to take one into the garage as an insurance plant (check out my latest vid) and heavily mulch the others.

[@michellekahn7364]

Thank you!

[@PlantMad]

Hi Geogre would the care for gingers be the same, also ive noticed the rhizomes of my gingers are alot above ground level is this normal or should i cover them thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I'd work on a similar approach with gingers, yes, but the mulch is more crucial as, you're right, the rhizomes tend to be closer to the surface. Some gingers tend to respond well to a head start in a polytunnel or greenhouse but if yours grow well and flower in the ground then you're doing something right!

[@juliebrace8637]

Hi George, Oh dear, I'm first time canna grower this year. I dug them up, chopped stems off, washed the soil off, trimmed the roots off, dried them on my kitchen work top, then layered them up in a cardboard box with little holes around the box with saw dust and placed them in a cupboard which is dark and cold. Is this OK? Julie Stoke-on-Trent 🌴🌿🪴😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Julie and don't worry, I'm sure they'll be fine. The dark & cold cupboard should be fine, you'll get away with them being drier. I think the general consensus is they don't like being completely dry stored for too long like Dahilas can but the sawdust might help and it'll not be long before you can get them potted up and going away again so well with the experiment.

[@juliebrace8637]

Hi George, Could you advise me on a video how to start them off next year. It'll be so helpful to me as first time tropical grower of afew plants. Kindest regards 🌴🌿🪴😊

[@anne-lihartmann-fitzgerald4560]

Hi Julie, I have dry stored mine several times. Works fine. Trick is not to clean them too well. Leaving some dirt prevents them from drying out.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

The bigger rhizomes definitely dry store quite reliably, smaller ones tend to try out too quickly. Assuming you don't have a greenhouse or polytunnel then I'd probably start them off around late March / April time on a bright windowsill in pots just big enough for the rhizomes, increasing the water as you start to see growth above ground.