River Lily Plant Care
Canna iridiflora Ruiz & Pav.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Canna iridiflora is a species of herb in the family Cannaceae.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for River Lily?
Water River Lily 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.
What Is the River Lily?
River Lily (Canna iridiflora) belongs to the Cannaceae family within the Canna genus. River Lily is also known as Peruvian Lily.
River Lily displays a tall, upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. River Lily produces showy, vibrant blooms in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a River Lily?
Canna iridiflora 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 River Lily Need?
River Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the River Lily Prefer?
Canna iridiflora grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. River Lily 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 River Lily?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for River Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a River Lily?
Feed River Lily 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 River Lily?
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 River Lily?
River Lily can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds.
Is the River Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list River Lily, 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 River Lily?
River Lily 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 River Lily Need?
River Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow River Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
River Lily 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.
River Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Canna iridiflora Ruiz & Pav., family Cannaceae (first published in Fl. Peruv. 1: 1 (1798)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list River Lily, 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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