Golden Canna Plant Care
Canna flaccida Salisb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Canna flaccida, sometimes referred to as the bandanna of the Everglades, is a species of the Canna genus, a member of the family Cannaceae. The species is indigenous to the wetlands of the south-central and south-eastern United States from Texas to South Carolina.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Golden Canna?
Water Golden Canna every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Golden Canna Native To?
What Is the Golden Canna?
Golden Canna (Canna flaccida) belongs to the Cannaceae family within the Canna genus. Golden Canna is native to the wetlands of the south-central and south-eastern United States from Texas to South Carolina. Golden Canna is also known as Yellow Canna, Water Canna.
Golden Canna displays a tall, upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Golden Canna produces showy, vibrant blooms in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Golden Canna?
Canna flaccida requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Golden Canna Need?
Golden Canna thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Golden Canna Prefer?
Canna flaccida grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Golden Canna prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Golden Canna?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Golden Canna to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Golden Canna?
Feed Golden Canna every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Golden Canna?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Golden Canna?
Golden Canna can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to water canna plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Golden Canna Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Golden Canna, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Golden Canna?
Golden Canna is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Golden Canna Need?
Golden Canna grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Golden Canna is native to the wetlands of the south-central and south-eastern United States from Texas to South Carolina. In cooler regions, grow Golden Canna as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Golden Canna is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Canna genus — compare its care with other Canna species on PlantoScan.
Canna is part of the Cannaceae plant family — browse all Cannaceae genera and species.
Golden Canna thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Canna Species
Other Canna species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Canna flaccida Salisb., family Cannaceae (first published in Icon. Stirp. Rar. : 3 (1791)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Golden Canna, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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