Organic Canna indica 'Cleopatra' - Indian flower reed (variegated leaf)

Yellow/red Canna with Variegated Leaf

Canna 'Cleopatra' is a tropical plant, also known as “Indian shot” (canna lily). It’s loved for its striking, colourful foliage and flowers. The leaves display a unique pattern of red, yellow and green.

From the rhizome, one or more sturdy, reed-like flower stems rise above the foliage, reaching around one metre tall. The name “canna” is derived from the Latin word for “reed”, which is why it also makes an excellent cut flower.

At the top of the stems, several flower buds develop with yellow-red blooms that open one after another. After flowering, large, round seed pods form, which are decorative as well.

The rhizomes multiply well underground each year, which makes this plant very popular with gardeners.

How, where and when do I plant canna rhizomes?

Start indoors

Canna 'Cleopatra' is not hardy. The rhizomes can be started indoors from March onwards. This gives the plant a head start in growth and flowering. After the last frost (around 15 May), the plants can go outside. Watch out for late frosts: if nights are cold, bring them back indoors.

Planting outdoors in the garden

If you prefer to wait until after frost risk has passed, plant the rhizomes outdoors from mid-May. From then on there is no frost risk, and flowering usually starts after 60 to 90 days.

Plant the rhizome with the shoots facing upwards, about 2 to 3 centimetres below the soil surface. Keep roughly 50 centimetres between plants.

The planting season runs up to and including June.

Position

Canna prefers a sunny spot in a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil, ideally a lime-rich sandy soil. Canna 'Cleopatra' grows to about 1 metre tall and has sturdy stems, so staking is not required. A sheltered position is recommended.

For container planting, choose a pot at least 40 centimetres wide so it doesn’t dry out too quickly in summer.

Care

Keep the soil consistently lightly moist. Soil that becomes too dry can negatively affect growth and flowering.

Flowering lasts around 6 to 8 weeks. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back completely so the plant can store energy for the next season. In autumn, cut the plant back to ground level.

Rhizomes planted in the ground can be protected from light frost with a layer of leaves. In hard frost, it’s better to lift the rhizomes and store them frost-free in a dry place. The advantage is that the rhizomes can be divided in spring.

Feed the plant several times per year for best results. Canna grows quickly and has a high nutrient demand. For organic potting soil, plant food and other soil improvers, we recommend Bio Kultura.

Propagation

In autumn the rhizomes continue to develop. Lift them only just before the first frost. Preferably divide the rhizomes in spring, right before replanting. This reduces the risk of mould during winter storage.

Store the rhizomes over winter in a layer of dry sand or peat. We recommend dividing Canna indica every 2 to 3 years.

Edible

The rhizomes of Canna indica contain a lot of starch. The flavour is similar to sweet potato. The leaves develop a lightly lemony taste when grilled or steamed.

Origin

Canna indica originates from Central and South America. The name “canna” is derived from the Celtic word “cana”, meaning a type of reed.

Order information – Organic Canna 'Cleopatra'

✅ SKAL certified: 109459

📦 Individually packed, or choose multi-buy discount.

💰 Multi-buy discount: A

Characteristics

NL-BIO-01