Canna glauca
Water canna is adapted to wet ground and pond edges and grows well in summer heat. It carries narrow, blue-green leaves and pale yellow flowers. Clumps can grow in shallow, still water when introduced gradually. It fits rain gardens, pond margins, and large containers kept consistently moist. Performance is best in full sun and rich soil.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Species (aquatic)
- Height × spread: 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) × 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m)
- Bloom window: summer to early fall
- Color & flower form: pale yellow; smaller open flowers
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 7 to 11; grown as annual or lifted in colder regions
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Tolerates shallow standing water up to about 6 inches in summer.
- Leaves are narrower and glaucous versus many hybrids.
- Flowers are smaller than typical hybrid cannas.
Strengths
- Suited to rain gardens and pond margins.
- Heat and humidity tolerant.
- Supports pollinators; host plant in the South.
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun to light shade.
- Soil: humus-rich loam; acid to neutral pH; keep oxygenated.
- Water: keep constantly moist; submerge containers 0 to 6 inches in still water in summer.
- Feed: slow-release fertilizer in spring; top-dress with compost mid-summer.
- Overwinter: lift and store at 40 to 50°F in cold zones; cut back after frost in frost-free areas.
Watch‑outs
- Rhizomes may rot in stagnant, airless media.
- Leafrollers, slugs, and Japanese beetles can damage foliage.
- Divide clumps to manage spread in ideal conditions.
Best uses (tags)
water gardens, rain gardens, pond margins, pollinators
Provenance note
Native from South Texas through the Caribbean and tropical America; widely cultivated.
References
- NC State Extension: Canna glauca
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Canna glauca
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Canna (aquatic group)
- ASPCA: Canna Lily
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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