If you’ve been growing Canna Lilies in your garden or in patio containers, you’ve probably already thought about how to get more of these tropical beauties. One of the best ways to do that is by harvesting seeds in the fall to plant the following spring. Of course, you can always buy seeds online, but there’s something extra rewarding about starting them from your own plants!
Harvesting the Seeds
When you’re collecting seeds to propagate your Cannas, patience is key. You need to wait until the seed pods are fully ripe and have started to dry out on the stalk. If you pick them too early, they won’t be mature enough to grow. You’ll recognize the pods by their bumpy, almost “warty” texture. Once you crack them open, you’ll usually find two hard, black seeds inside.
Prepping the Seeds
Canna seeds have an incredibly tough outer shell—so tough, in fact, that they can stay viable for years. However, if you want them to sprout quickly, you’ll need to give them a little help. This process is called scarification. Take a metal file, a nail file, or even a bit of sandpaper and gently sand down the shell until you just start to see the white interior. Be careful here! You want to break the “armor” without damaging the delicate embryo inside.
Germination and Sowing
Once your seeds are prepped, it’s time to wake them up. Start by soaking them in warm water for about two days. After their bath, fill your starter pots with a good potting mix and plant the seeds about an inch (two centimeters) deep. To get them to sprout, you need two main ingredients: heat and moisture. Keep the soil consistently damp—Cannas are actually pretty thirsty plants and handle “wet feet” much better than drying out. To keep them warm enough, find a cozy spot near a radiator or use a heat mat.
Here’s a quick recap of the steps for growing Cannas from seed:
- Harvest seeds only from fully ripened, dried-out pods.
- Gently sand or file the hard outer shell.
- Soak the seeds in warm water for two days.
- Keep them in a warm spot with plenty of moisture until they sprout.
