The best time to plant canna lily bulbs is in spring, after the danger of frost has passed. Typically, this is in April and May. You can start canna rhizomes indoors in pots about six weeks before the last frost date (around March or early April in many regions) to give them a head start. Once the soil outside is warm and all risk of frost has passed, you can transplant them outdoors. When planting directly in the garden, wait until the soil temperature is consistently warm (around 60°F or 16°C). Plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep and space them about 1 to 2 feet apart depending on the variety. Cannas prefer full sun and well-draining soil for the best growth and flowering. For regions with colder winters, you may store the bulbs over winter and pot them indoors in late winter or early spring to start growing before planting outdoors. In summary:
- Start indoors: about 6 weeks before last frost (around March-April)
- Plant outdoors: April to May, after frost is gone and soil is warm
- Plant depth: 4 to 6 inches
- Spacing: 1 to 2 feet apart
- Light: full sun preferred
This timing will help canna lilies establish well and flower from summer through fall.
