How to Grow Canna Striata

Canna Striata

Canna × generalis 'Striata'

flower

Canna Striata is a striking tropical perennial known for its bold variegated foliage featuring green leaves striped with bright yellow or cream-colored bands. It produces vibrant red or orange flowers on tall spikes that rise above the dramatic foliage, making it an excellent choice for tropical gardens and containers. This cultivar combines ornamental leaves with showy blooms, providing season-long visual interest in warm climates.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade but prefers full sun for best flowering

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist during growing season; prefers humid conditions; water regularly but avoid waterlogging; in cooler zones grown in containers, allow soil to dry slightly between waterings in dormancy

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first bloom

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Planting depth: 4-6 inches for rhizomes; transplants at soil level

Soil

Type: Rich, moist, well-draining soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost peat moss or coconut coir aged manure

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 7b-11; grown as an annual or in containers in cooler zones

7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Dormancy/Sprouting

2-4 weeks

Rhizomes are planted and begin to sprout; shoots emerge from soil

Plant rhizomes in spring after last frost; ensure soil is warm (at least 60°F); keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to encourage sprouting

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Tall stems with large variegated leaves develop; striped foliage becomes more prominent

Water consistently; apply mulch around base; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer; remove any non-variegated shoots that appear

Flowering

6-10 weeks or until frost

Large, showy flower spikes in red or orange emerge above the foliage; multiple blooms may appear

Continue regular watering and humidity; deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; maintain fertilizer schedule; provide support stakes if plants become tall or windblown

Peak Season

Mid-summer through early fall

Flowers and dramatic striped foliage are at their most impressive; plant provides continuous visual interest

Monitor for pests; deadhead regularly; pinch back stems if plant becomes too tall or leggy; maintain consistent moisture

Dormancy

Fall through early spring

In cold zones, foliage dies back after first frost; rhizomes enter dormancy; in warm zones, may maintain foliage year-round

In zones 7b-8, dig rhizomes after frost kills foliage; clean off soil; store in cool, dry location at 50-60°F over winter; or leave rhizomes in ground and heavily mulch in zone 9+

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Coleus Elephant Ear Caladium Begonia Impatiens Fern Mandevilla Salvia

Avoid planting near:

Competitive deep-rooted plants Drought-tolerant xeriscape plants

Common Pests

Increase humidity; spray with water; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe; improve air circulation
Prune and remove rolled leaves; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove plant debris
Hand-pick in early morning; use Japanese beetle traps at distance from plant; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap
Hand-pick; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); remove affected leaves; maintain good plant health
and
Remove by hand at night; create barriers with copper tape; apply diatomaceous earth; reduce moisture around base

Uses

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Edible rhizomes

Culinary

Canna rhizomes contain starch and are edible when cooked; they are cultivated as a root vegetable in tropical regions and can be boiled, roasted, or ground into flour. [source]

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Cut flower arrangements

Household

The dramatic flower spikes and striking variegated foliage make excellent long-lasting cut flowers and foliage for tropical-themed arrangements and bouquets. [source]

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Garden focal point and landscape accent

Craft

The bold variegated foliage and tall stature make Canna Striata an excellent specimen plant or focal point in tropical gardens, containers, and water garden edges. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The bright red and orange flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens. [source]

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Traditional medicine

Medicinal

In traditional medicine systems, canna leaves and rhizomes have been used to treat various ailments, though scientific validation is limited; primarily valued ornamentally in modern gardens. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Canna Striata is grown for ornamental foliage and flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. Cut flowers can be harvested for arrangements; flowers last several days in water. In cooler zones, dig rhizomes after the first hard frost (when foliage blackens), clean them well, and store indoors over winter.

Fun Facts

🌱 Canna Striata's variegated foliage is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation that produces the distinctive yellow or cream striping; this variegation must be propagated vegetatively (via rhizome division) to maintain the striped pattern, as seeds will revert to solid green leaves.
🌱 Cannas are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and Asia, and have been cultivated for thousands of years; the name 'Canna' comes from the Greek word for 'reed' due to their reed-like stems.
🌱 Canna flowers are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds and bees in their native habitats; the tubular, bright-colored flowers are specifically adapted to attract these pollinators, and the plants produce abundant nectar.

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