Everything about the ‘Tropicana’ Canna

How to Grow Tropicana Cannas

April 22nd, 2009 Posted in Canna 'Tropicana'
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The needs of the Canna ‘Tropicana’ are really not much different from those of other cannas. Here are some important tips to consider.

Spacing
The cannas should be planted about 18 inches apart in garden beds. If growing in containers, they can be planted closer together, as they will provide more of an architectural “cluster”. Ideally, the container size should be at least 15″ in diameter to allow the plants to reach their full size potential by the end of the growing season.

Sun
Canna ‘Tropicana’ performs best in full sun – at least 6 hours a day, but can also be grown in light sun or partial shade. If growing indoors, the canna needs about 4 hours of sun per day minimum, and grows best if taken outside during the summer, where it can get more direct sunlight and heat.

Soil and Watering
Canna ‘Tropicana’ can grow in a wide range of soils, but does best in fertile soil. It is more tolerant than most plants to poorly-draining soils. To look its best, the Tropicana canna needs frequent watering during its active growing season.

Fertilizers
In spring, give the canna a time release flowering plant fertilizer with a high potassium value to encourage flower production. Avoid a fertilizer too high in nitrogen – it can produce a canna that is excessively tall and elongated.

Winter Care
Canna ‘Tropicana’ can be stored indoors in Zone 6 or colder climates, and left in the ground in Zone 7 or warmer climates. Click here for more overwintering information.

  1. 6 Responses to “How to Grow Tropicana Cannas”

  2. By Beverly Zone 8 on Oct 4, 2009

    I was pleasantly surprised to discover a few of my C Triopicana produced a nice sized seed pod with seeds inside! I thought that Tropicanas did not produce seed; that they were clasified as sterile. Am I right or wrong?

    Beverly

  3. By marie bakeer on Mar 5, 2010

    as each flower ‘finishes’ do you cut off that stalk…and come winter does the actual whole plant die off so you virtually do not have any leaves in sight?

  4. By Dave on May 27, 2010

    My Tropicanas are in thier 4th season now.
    I have a large patch of them and they have grown to about 2 – 2 1/2″ tall. For some reason, this is the first time that I do not have any Orange Blooms at all. I live in Middle Tennessee and they have grown and bloomed great the last 3 years.

    Any Ideas?. . .

  5. By Sandi Lopez on May 19, 2011

    Dear Marie: Yes, you can cut off the stalk, but the important thing is to routinely take the dead or spent flower top off. I just pull off my dead flower leaves and eventually lob it off. It truly just promotes a ton of new blooms. I am in Zone 8b in California, hot and inland. Mine do not die back, per se, in winter, but I trim the old leaves off in early spring before flowers bloom, and to freshen it up.

  6. By Connie Moore on Jun 26, 2011

    I have two canna tropicana’s in large whiskey barrels and at this point the leaves look rusted on the edges and almost like theres bugs eating them. What deterant is safe to use that would’nt hurt the Canna Tropicana or am I watering to much?

  7. By Joyce Chaplow on Jul 27, 2011

    I have several varieties -orange,red,and yellow canna tropicanas, and I do cut off the tips above the nub to encourage new growth. I also dig up the plants when I have too many in one area and break apart the bulbs and place them in pots or in another area of the yard and water them frequently to encourage new plants to come up. I now have over 100 canna tropicanas! My back yard is beautiful!

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