Canna lilies are dramatic bloomers and will be the focal point of any garden or container. They bring height to lower garden beds and structure to large containers. Put them in the middle of a patio pot with a pretty annual that falls over the sides, or use them as a border along a plain building. Canna lilies will produce a proud bloom on their tall stems from mid summer to late fall.
You’ve found the perfect place for your cannas, but will they get enough sun? Since they are tropical plants, you’d think they would need a lot of light. But because they are quite versatile this isn’t necessarily true.
It’s not hard to figure out where to put these perennial favorites, and knowing how much light they need will help them grow better overall. Let’s dig into everything you need to know about sunlight requirements for canna lilies.
Canna lilies perform their best in at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. This doesn’t mean they wont grow in 6 hours or even 4 hours of sunlight. If you want peak foliage growth and flashy blooms, place them in full sun. Remember, these perennials are a tropical to subtropical plant, they need heat and sunshine.
Cannabis are beautiful in any garden or pot because of their big leaves and bright flowers. Your question might be, “Will these plants grow in colder parts of the United States? They are native to tropical areas.” Surprisingly, yes. These tropical giants can grow in zones 3–11, making them a great choice for both new and experienced gardeners.
Their ability to withstand hot summer days makes them an excellent option for hot regions. Cannas will bloom from July until the first frost, even though it’s hot outside. They enjoy excessive light and heat to reach great heights and maximum flowering.
In this section, we’ll talk about flowers and leaves that grow in partial shade, as well as plants that need different amounts of light, climate, and time of year.
Plant them where they will get 8 hours of direct sunlight a day, and they will soar above your garden or container. It’s proven that they will produce more luscious foliage and dazzling blooms if they have full sun. This doesn’t mean if you plant in 6 hours of sunlight you won’t have any blooms.
I have canna lilies growing next to a storage shed. They get about five hours of sunlight a day. They are still producing new shoots and bloom every week. But I believe they aren’t growing at their max potential. I believe they could use more sunlight to reach their full blooming and foliage production.
Next season, I will place them in the same location but consider planting more rhizomes in this location. Planting more rhizomes will make the space look fuller. I would only put more rhizomes in places with more shade, since they can spread and crowd each other out in full sun.
With their vibrant, tropical blooms borne atop stately stalks, canna lilies make a dramatic statement in gardens and containers. Their exotic good looks have made them a mainstay in outdoor plantings for over a century. But can these sun-loving beauties thrive in shade as well as sun?
While cannas prefer full sun, they can adapt to partial shade locations given the right care. In this article, we’ll explore how much sun canna lilies need, plus top tips for growing vigorous, flowering cannas in shadier garden spots.
Do Canna Lilies Need Full Sun?
Canna lilies hail from tropical and subtropical climates in North, South, and Central America Naturally accustomed to hot, humid, sunny conditions, they thrive best with a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Full sun is ideal for the most prolific growth and biggest, showiest blooms on the tallest flower stalks. Dappled sun or a few hours of morning or afternoon shade is fine. But less than 6 hours of sun will result in reduced vigor and flowering.
While they appreciate moist soil, too much shade also keeps the soil perpetually wet, leading to root rot issues. So full sun or light shade shows off cannas at their best.
Will Canna Lilies Grow in Partial Shade?
The versatility of cannas means they can adapt to partial shade generally defined as 4-6 hours of sun per day. However their performance will be diminished compared to full sun.
In partial shade, you can expect:
- Shorter flower stalks with smaller blooms.
- Less frequent flowering with fewer blooms overall.
- Reduced foliage volume with smaller leaves.
- Increased susceptibility to diseases like rot.
- Leggy growth as plants stretch for sunlight.
While cannas will still grow and flower with afternoon shade or morning shade, the show of color and vigor will not be as dramatic. Site selection impacts performance.
Best Partial Shade Locations for Cannas
If full sun just isn’t an option, certain types of partial shade are better suited to cannas than others:
- East-facing exposure, receiving morning sun.
- West-facing exposure, receiving afternoon sun.
- Dappled shade under high tree branches.
- Filtered sunlight through a pergola or gazebo.
A north-facing location is more challenging since it never receives direct sun. At minimum, make sure cannas get 4 hours of direct afternoon sun rather than just bright reflected light.
Morning sun is ideal since the foliage has time to dry out after overnight moisture, reducing disease risk. Place shorter varieties in front of taller types to maximize sun exposure.
Caring for Cannas in Partial Shade
Tailoring your care methods to the unique needs of shade will keep cannas doing their best. Here are key tips:
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Water frequently to prevent drying out. Shaded beds and pots dry out slower than those in sun.
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Use a rich, organic potting mix amended with compost. Retains moisture better than standard potting soil.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during growth. Foliar feeds provide instant nutrients.
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Prune leggy growth and deadhead spent blooms to encourage compact growth and more flowers.
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Add a thin layer of mulch to shade beds to insulate roots and retain moisture.
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Consider spreading rhizomes out over a larger area to fill space since growth is reduced.
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Move potted cannas around over the season to give periods of direct sun.
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Grow more mildew-resistant varieties like Canna ‘Pretoria’ or ‘Tropicanna’ in damp shade.
Best Canna Varieties for Partial Shade
While all cannas appreciate full sun, some varieties tolerate partial shade better than others. These remain compact and bloom reliably with 4-6 hours of sunlight:
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Canna ‘Pretoria’ – Dwarf variety under 3 feet, yellow blooms.
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Canna ‘Tropicanna’ – Vibrant orange and striped foliage, 4 feet tall.
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Canna ‘Erebus’ – Bronze leaves, red flowers, shorter height under 5 feet.
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Canna ‘Ra’ – Glossy foliage with brilliant red blooms and modest 4 foot height.
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Canna ‘Pink Sunburst’ – Early bloomer with pink flowers on a petite 2 foot frame.
Focus on naturally compact, mildew-resistant varieties under 5 feet tall for best partial shade results. Cannas rely on ample sun to reach towering heights.
Additional Tips for Shady Gardens
If your garden is heavily shaded with little direct sunlight, here are a few additional tips for creating an eye-catching display:
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Use cannas as thriller plants in containers mixed with shade-loving fillers and spillers. This concentrates their impact.
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Underplant cannas with impatiens, caladiums, begonias, coleus and other shade-tolerant annuals.
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Plant cannas in the sunniest spots for maximum light exposure.
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Use vivid pot colors like yellow and chartreuse to brighten up shady spots.
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Increase bloom color impact with bold red, orange, and yellow canna varieties.
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Add hardscaping like pavers, rocks and gravel to lighten up dark areas.
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Use spotlights, uplighting or strategically placed mirrors to amplify the light in shaded beds.
Final Thoughts
While they attain their full tropical glory in a sunny garden spot, canna lilies can adapt to partial shade with proper care. Focus on varieties under 5 feet tall and provide supplemental feeding and diligent watering for best results. Or incorporate cannas into planters and mixed beds to maximize their impact. With strategic siting and care methods, the brilliant blooms of canna will still steal the show.
Can They Grow in Partial Shade?
Even though it can grow in some shade, this plant will need at least 4 hours of sunlight every day and will bloom more slowly.
Although they thrive in full sun, cannas will still grow in partial shade as well. Plants that have been placed in partial shade will require a minimum of 4 hours of sunlight. Bloom production will be slower.
If you want to plant in some shade, you should put in twice as many rhizomes as you would in full sun. This will ensure the area you plant in looks full and has more blooms during the season.
How Much Sunlight is Enough?
In order to grow and flower as much as they can, they need full sun for at least eight hours a day.
These tropical perennials thrive in areas that receive 8 hours or more of sunlight per day. But, they can grow under a range of sunlight requirements. If you want to reach full potential for growth, plant in locations that receive full sun.
They can grow in any amount of sunlight, but in many places, 4 to 6 hours of sunlight is enough. 4 hours of sunlight should be the absolute minimum for some type of bloom production. Too much shade will result in slow growth and a lack of bloom production.
They naturally love heat and humidity and also require moist soil conditions. If you plant in full sun, this dries the soil at a faster rate. This means you will need to water more frequently to prevent the soil from trying out too much.
Five mistakes to Avoid When Planting and Growing Canna Lilies
FAQ
How much shade can cannas tolerate?
Can cannas grow under trees?
Where is the best place to plant canna lilies?
Do canna lilies need full sun in pots?
Do Cannas grow in shade?
Although they thrive in full sun, cannas will still grow in partial shade as well. Plants that have been placed in partial shade will require a minimum of 4 hours of sunlight. Bloom production will be slower. If you want to plant in partial shade, I recommend planting double the rhizomes than you would in full sun.
Can canna lilies grow in shade?
Canna lilies can survive in the shade, but the best flower production is obtained in full sun, except in hotter climates where part shade will enable the flowers to last longer. Choose a sheltered spot and soil that has been improved by digging in well-rotted manure or garden compost. (3. Planting Your Canna Lilies)
Do canna lilies need a lot of sunlight?
Sunlight is a canna lilies’ best friend and makes a difference in bloom production. Don’t worry, they do tolerate location with less sunlight but this could affect growth. For best results, plant them in full sunlight. They will still grow in partial shade or at least 4 hours of sunlight.
Where do canna lilies grow best?
Canna lilies grow best in full sun and organically rich, moist, and well-drained soils. They will survive in the shade, but the best flower production is obtained in full sun – except in hotter climates where part shade will enable the flowers to last longer.
