Canna Lily Height and Width – A Guide to Proper Plant Spacing

Canna lilies are tropical flowering plants prized for their lush, colorful foliage and showy blooms. With their fast growth and large size, proper spacing is crucial when planting canna lilies in your garden. This article provides a complete guide to canna lily dimensions, including typical height and width ranges, to help you plan their spacing needs.

Overview of Canna Lily Height and Width

Canna lily height can range from 2 to 8 feet tall when fully grown Width can span 1 to 6 feet across Exact size depends on the variety.

Some key factors that influence cannas height and spread include:

• Genetics – Some varieties are bred to be more compact

• Climate – Warm climates with long growing seasons produce larger plants

• Sun Exposure – Full sun encourages vigorous growth

• Soil Quality – Rich, moist soil fuels maximum size potential

• Irrigation – Ample water supports growth to full stature

• Pruning – Cutting back stems reduces height

• Container Size – Restricts roots and limits dimensions

Typical Canna Lily Varieties and Their Size

Here are some common canna lily varieties and their typical mature height and width dimensions:

• Pretoria (Bengal Tiger) – 4 to 6 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide

• Lucifer – 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide

• The President – 3 to 3.5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide

• Tropicanna – 5 to 6 feet tall, 4 to 6 feet wide

• Stuttgart – 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 4 feet wide

• Orange Punch – 4 to 5 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide

• Intrigue – 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide

Spacing Canna Lilies Properly

When planting canna lily rhizomes, allow adequate space between plants. Failure to do so results in overcrowding and smaller blooms. Follow these spacing guidelines:

• Refer to mature height and width for the variety

• Space plants 18 to 36 inches apart depending on size

• Plant in rows spaced 3 to 5 feet apart

• Give larger varieties more room to spread

• Adjust spacing for sun exposure and soil quality

• Plant closer together for mass plantings

• Allow more space for container plantings

Providing Support for Tall Varieties

Some canna lily varieties can grow quite tall, reaching up to 8 feet in height. These towering varieties benefit from staking or support cages to prevent toppling over in wind and heavy rains.

Install stakes at time of planting. Some options include:

• Bamboo or wood stakes with plant ties

• Wire frame cages

• Trellises for entire canna lily rows

Place supports on the windward side of plants to prop against prevailing winds.

Controlling Canna Lily Size

For smaller gardens, or to keep cannas more compact, try these tricks:

• Choose dwarf or miniature canna lily varieties under 3 feet

• Plant in containers or above-ground planters

• Prune back leggy stems partway through summer

• Reduce fertilizer to limit growth

• Cut rhizomes into smaller sections with 2-3 eyes per piece

Achieving the Right Balance

With some planning for their eventual dimensions, canna lilies can find the perfect spot in gardens of any size. Just be sure to give them the sun, soil, and water they crave to reach their full height and width potential. A tape measure and proper spacing at planting time lets you achieve the ideal balance for your landscape design.