Should I cut back potted cannas?

Jess
by Jess
I put my cannas that are in pots in the unheated garage for the winter. To my surprise they started growing & are now several feet tall. They have NOT flowered. Should I cut this growth back so they can start over for the summer? Thanks for any advice. jmt
  8 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 30, 2016
    I do not think that is necessary to do.I would however repot them if you have not already.
  • Stick them out in the sun and keep them watered well. They will bloom sooner than the ones in the ground (Cannas are perennials here in zone 7 Virginia). Many people use Cannas in ponds too. happy gardening
  • Linda Linda on May 01, 2016
    I have been doing this for years. Cut off about 6 inches from tuba, pull out of pots, let dry outside for a couple of days. Store in milk cartons in cellar, do not let them freeze. In the spring they are ready to replant.
  • EvaJoy Irons EvaJoy Irons on May 01, 2016
    I leave mine in the ground all year. They come back , in spring and bloom in summer. I live in the mid-south.
  • Sherrie Slaboda Sherrie Slaboda on May 01, 2016
    @Jess it might cheer you to know that my cannas that stay in the ground all year have only very recently started to flower. I think the time to cut the plants back is at the end of their blooming.
  • MaryAnn B MaryAnn B on May 01, 2016
    I would not cut them back. Just take them outside, plant in the ground or repot to a larger container.
  • Linda Linda on May 02, 2016
    I have some in a pot and some in ground. After bloom I cut the spent flower and enjoy the leaf color. When cleaning up and getting ready for winter cut them to the ground
  • Kathleen Conery Kathleen Conery on May 02, 2016
    Canna are usually pruned after the blooms wilt. They grow more and healthier if you do so. But from the advice I've read, if you do cut it down now it should still send up other shoots. I live just a little south of you and I think our early Spring has caused several plants to get an early start... but not my canna yet!