My Canna Lily Bulbs Will Not Germinate Outdoors

Environmental

• Canna lilies need well draining soil, full sun and warm to hot weather. If you're trying to germinate the bulbs in a soil that's muddy or heavy with clay, you're probably seeing little to no growth. Likewise, the plant needs sun to grow properly and can't grow in frosty conditions. Try your bulbs in a new location and make sure you're planting in the late spring, when the weather's warm.

Error

• Giving canna lily bulbs too much water at planting, or during the germination stage, can lead to bulb rot. If you notice the soil appears very wet, or if you've been deluged with rain, your bulbs may be rotting underground and they'll never germinate. Dig bulbs back up; if they look blackened or feel mushy, discard them.

Tips

• To have good luck with cannas, begin with healthy bulbs that don't feel mushy. Plant the bulbs in a sunny location with well-draining soil, planting them two to three times as deep as the canna bulb is tall. Water just after planting to saturate the soil, then let the soil dry. The bulbs should respond in these conditions.