How Often Do I Water Canna Lily Plant?

Watering at Planting Time

• Canna lilies are best grown in eastern exposure or filtered sunlight. They can be dug up and stored in the fall and replanted again next spring, or they can be left in the ground. When planting, the hole should be three times wider and deeper than the plant's root ball, and organic matter should be mixed into the soil so the roots can gather all the nutrients properly. A water basin should be built around the plant so it gets a good initial soaking.

Watering the Growing Lilies

• Canna lilies require plenty of moisture, hence the need to be watered a couple times a week unless it gets very dry and over 85 degrees, in which case they should be watered three times per week. Use a balanced fertilizer once a month to maintain full and vigorous growth. Most Cannas are best grown in well-drained soil, except for those found naturally in swampy areas. When planting established Canna lilies, it's best to treat the planting area with plenty of organic matter. The plants will then require very little extra watering during the growing period unless it gets very hot and dry.

Caring for Canna Lilies

• Dead and faded flowers must be removed periodically, and the canna lily plants should be cut to the ground as growth declines during late fall. The lilies should be divided every three to five years to maintain a full growth of flowers. Slugs and snails often bother these plants, hence they should be well treated with slug and snail bait. Spider mites could cause a dusty leaf appearance, a problem that can be remedied with insecticidal soap. The flowers are best planted in masses.