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best time to plant canna lilies

If you’re wondering about the best time to plant canna lilies in New Zealand, you’re not alone! These bold, tropical-looking flowers are a favourite among gardeners for their long-lasting blooms and stunning foliage. Planting cannas at the right time is key to healthy plants and a vibrant garden display. Read on to discover when—and how—to get your canna lilies off to a great start.

Canna Felix Ragout

Canna Felix Ragout features large and showy yellow flowers held on solid stems that rise above the foliage from late spring through summer. The lush and bright green leaves complement the flowers nicely as it grows to 75 cm tall and the same wide. Canna Felix Ragout is commonly used in tropical gardens, maintained in a container, planted alongside water features, added to mixed plantings, planted around outdoor living areas, or included in wetter areas of the garden. A mass planting is very rewarding with this variety.

Buy Canna Felix Ragout

From $22.88

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Perennials

Height: 75 cm

Spread: 75 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Wet

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical

Canna Cannova Rose

Canna Cannova Rose carries large and glossy, dark green leaves which are held upright and have a gentle arch. Stems rise above the foliage from late spring until early autumn baring large and showy, dark pink-red flowers as it grows to 1 m tall and 70 cm wide. Canna Cannova Rose is commonly included in tropical gardens, planted alongside a water feature, added to a mixed planting, or planted around outdoor living areas such as pools and the like. Mass plantings are both stunning and very rewarding with this variety.

Buy Canna Cannova Rose

From $22.88

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Perennials

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 70 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Tolerances: Wet

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical

When is the Best Time to Plant Canna Lilies?

The best time to plant canna lilies is in early to mid-spring, once the risk of frost has passed and soil temperatures consistently reach at least 15°C. In most parts of New Zealand, this means planting canna lily rhizomes from September through November. Canna lilies love warmth, so waiting until the soil warms up gives them the right conditions to develop strong roots and lush foliage.

If your region is especially frost-prone, sow your canna lily rhizomes in pots indoors or in a greenhouse, then move them outside once nights are reliably mild. For areas with warm, frost-free climates, cannas can be planted directly outdoors in early spring for a magnificent summer show.

Why Planting Time Matters

Choosing the best time to plant canna lilies can make all the difference. If planted too early in cold, wet soil, cannas are slow to sprout or may even rot. Planting at the right moment helps your lilies sprout quickly and grow robustly, ensuring abundant blooms from summer right through autumn.

How to Plant Canna Lilies

To give your cannas the best start, select a sunny spot with rich, free-draining soil. Dig in organic matter to boost fertility, and plant each rhizome about 5–8 cm deep with the growing points facing upwards. Space plants about 30–50 cm apart to allow for heaps of lush growth.

Water them well after planting, then keep the soil consistently moist. Once established, canna lilies are fairly low maintenance and will reward you with dramatic, colourful displays.

Top Canna Lily Varieties to Grow

Looking for the perfect canna varieties to bring bold colour to your garden? Try some of our most popular selections:

Canna Cannova Rose delivers stunning rose-pink flowers and sleek foliage.
Canna Felix Ragout offers lively blooms in a lovely mix of shades.
Brighten up your border with Canna Cannova Mango, an eye-catching variety with orange-apricot blooms.
Canna 'Tropical Yellow' features cheerful yellow flowers perfect for mixed beds.
For a classic look, Canna 'Ambassador' provides elegant form and reliable, striking blooms.

These varieties are bred for performance in New Zealand gardens, so you can be confident they’ll thrive when planted at the best time.

Final Tips for Canna Lily Success

Remember, the best time to plant canna lilies is when the soil has warmed and the danger of frost is gone. With the right timing and care, you’ll enjoy a tropical garden packed with colour all season long. For more inspiration and top-quality canna lily varieties, explore our full range and start planning your next garden project.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.