Photo of Canna 'Musifolia' foliage, form by plant lust

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Canna 'Musifolia'

Also Known As

  • Canna 'Musafolia'
  • Canna musafolia
  • Achira
  • Banana Canna

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 12'-14'
  • W: 3'

planting zones

  • 7b-10b

More Options

Canna 'Musifolia' plant details

Canna 'Musifolia' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green and purple foliage. In summer red flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun and even moisture water. Does well in rich soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Canna 'Musifolia'

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: cannaceae
Foliage: deciduous green and purple
Mature size: 3 FT wide, 12 FT - 14 FT - tall
Flowers: red blooms in summer
Uses: big leaves, border plant, container plant, dramatic, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Canna 'Musifolia'

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

nown as Achira in its native habitat, Canna musifolia is a unique species of Canna lily that is grown for its edible starchy tubers in parts of South America. If you’re less interested in eating this plant, it makes a phenomenal ornamental in the garden, growing much larger than any other Canna species or variety. As the name suggests, these can grow to be 8 to 10 feet in height with banana-like leaves. A must have for the tropical garden! If you live in a region with cold winters, these bulbs can be dug up in late fall and stored over winter much as other Canna lilies, making them a viable annual plant. Cold hardy to USDA zone 7b, or to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Canna musafolia was once thought to be a species. It is now believed to be an earlier hybrid. The flowers are very small and red it rarely flowers for me in zone 6 due to the shorter summers. The main attraction to this canna is the foliage which resembles a banana leaf. Each leaf can be around 2 feet long and almost 1 foot wide. It is also one of the largest cannas I have seen growing to 15 feet if in the right situation and long enough season. My plants usually reach 10 to 12 feet. Each leaf has a narrow maroon ring around the edge of the leaf and the petioles are maroon in color. The rhizomes area also very different than most canna varieties. Canna musafolia has large bulky rhizomes that are closely connected and compact. Foliage: Large banana like leaves with a maroon edge Flowers: small red flowers held high Height: 10 to 15'
A huge canna that gets to 12' or more, very dramatic, vigorous, big banana like leaves.

Gardening facts about Canna 'Musifolia' plant

How to Grow Canna 'Musifolia'

  • Soil Needs

    • rich
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture
  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Wildlife

    • hummingbirds
  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • purple
  • Flower Color

    • red
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Texture

    • glossy
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