Canna

Canna x hybrida Rodigas

Family: Cannaceae

Perennial
Heat Loving
Pollinator Plant

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not a food plant; no preparation guidance given.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

not applicable

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA lists the canna lily (Canna generalis, the common garden canna) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and NC State's tags agree. ASPCA lists both Canna indica and the common garden canna (Canna generalis) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and NC State tags Canna indica non-toxic for all three. Other Canna species are not covered. ASPCA is the only source used, and one source cannot show a plant is safe, so no safe verdict is given. Keep dogs, cats and horses from eating it.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 8a-11b (NC State); RHS hardiness H3 (hardy in coastal and mild parts of the UK). Clemson (South Carolina) calls cannas reliably hardy there; UF/IFAS (Florida) calls them heat-loving perennials.
Light: Full sun (tolerates part shade but flowers poorly there)
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: Height 2-6 ft, width 1-2 ft (NC State). RHS: 1.5-2.5 m tall, 0.5-1 m spread. Clemson: most grow 3-6 ft or taller, dwarf varieties about 2 ft. UF/IFAS: from a few feet to over 15 ft depending on variety.
Where it comes from: Tropical and subtropical North America, South America and India; widely cultivated (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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