Canna lilies are gorgeous tropical plants that originally hail from the Caribbean. Because of those island roots, they aren’t naturally built for the cold. While there are a handful of varieties that can technically survive a Central European or North American winter outdoors, they are definitely the exception to the rule.
Hardy-ish Varieties
The few types of Canna that are considered somewhat winter-hardy—like *Canna tuerckheimii* (often sold as *Canna lumbautum*)—aren’t actually that popular in most gardens. To be honest, they just don’t have that same “wow factor” as the showier hybrids. Plus, even these “tough” varieties usually only survive the winter in very mild climates, like coastal areas or protected wine-growing regions. If you get a real cold snap, they likely won’t make it.
Digging Up the Rhizomes
For most of us, the safest bet is to dig up your Canna rhizomes in the fall once the leaves start to change color or get hit by the first light frost. Just lift them out of the ground and store them in a cool, frost-free spot—tucked into some sand or dry soil—until spring. It’s a little extra work, but it’s the best way to make sure your tropical beauties come back even stronger next year!
