Photo: © Daniel IseliPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan
Indian Shot Plant Care
Canna indica L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Canna indica, commonly known as Indian shot, African arrowroot, edible canna, purple arrowroot, Sierra Leone arrowroot, is a plant species in the family Cannaceae. It is native to the Americas and naturalized elsewhere.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Indian Shot?
Water Indian Shot 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 Indian Shot Native To?
What Is the Indian Shot?
Indian Shot (Canna indica) belongs to the Cannaceae family within the Canna genus. Indian Shot is native to the Americas and naturalized else. Indian Shot is also known as Canna Lily, Edible Canna, Wild Canna.
Indian Shot displays a tall, upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Indian Shot produces showy, vibrant blooms in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Indian Shot?
Canna indica 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 Indian Shot Need?
Indian Shot thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Indian Shot Prefer?
Canna indica grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Indian Shot 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 Indian Shot?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Indian Shot to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Indian Shot?
Feed Indian Shot 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 Indian Shot?
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 Indian Shot?
Indian Shot 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 Indian Shot Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Indian Shot, 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 Indian Shot?
Indian Shot 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 Indian Shot Need?
Indian Shot grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7 – 12. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Indian Shot is native to the Americas and naturalized else.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7 – 12
Keep exploring plants
Indian Shot 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.
Indian Shot 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 indica L., family Cannaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 1 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Indian Shot, 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.
- Photo: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7 – 12, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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