How to Plant Canna Lilies in Pots

If you love the beauty of colorful flowers in your garden, consider planting canna lilies in pots. These plants are easy to grow and care for, and they come in a range of colors and sizes. Here are five easy steps to plant canna lilies in pots:

Step 1: Choose the Right Pot

When choosing a pot for your canna lilies, make sure it is at least 12 inches deep and wide. The pot should have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain away from the soil. Canna lilies prefer well-drained soil, so choose a potting mix that contains perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Canna lilies need fertile soil to grow properly. Before planting, mix organic matter such as compost or aged manure into the potting mix to provide the necessary nutrients. Canna lilies also prefer a slightly acidic soil, so add some garden lime if your soil is too acidic.

Step 3: Plant the Canna Lilies

Fill the pot with potting mix until it's about 2/3 full. Remove the canna lilies from their containers and gently loosen the roots. Place the plants in the pot and fill the remaining space with potting mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top of the pot. Water the pot thoroughly to ensure that the soil settles around the roots.

Step 4: Add Fertilizer

Canna lilies need regular feeding to produce an abundance of flowers. Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season. Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertilizer which releases nutrients gradually over several months.

Step 5: Provide Adequate Watering

Canna lilies need regular watering to thrive. Water the pot when the soil feels dry to the touch. During hot weather, you may need to water more frequently to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Avoid getting water on the leaves and flowers, as this can cause fungal diseases.

With these five easy steps, you can successfully plant canna lilies in pots and enjoy beautiful flowers throughout the growing season. As a bonus, planting canna lilies in pots allows you to move them around your garden or patio to create beautiful displays wherever you like.