Canna (Canna 'Phasion' TROPICANNA)

Overview

Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA is a spectacular tropical accent plant prized for its exceptionally colorful foliage, which features orange-red tones sharply contrasted by green striping. This cultivar, commonly known by the trade name TROPICANNA, brings immediate vertical interest and a lush, exotic feel to any garden design. Although reliably hardy in warmer regions, it is often used as a dramatic annual display plant elsewhere due to its robust growth habit.

As a rhizomatous perennial, the Canna family offers easy establishment and relatively low required maintenance once settled in a sunny spot. The vibrant orange flowers appear consistently from mid-summer through early fall, complementing the already impressive leaf texture and color. These bold forms are excellent for creating focal points or adding seasonal drama to foundation plantings or large containers.

Gardeners relying on Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA benefit from a plant that thrives in heat and sun, rewarding minimal effort with maximum tropical impact. Its stately height and broad leaves make it an architectural element perfect for framing views or separating garden spaces. Ensure you plant the rhizomes correctly to allow this magnificent Canna selection to develop its full potential.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Cannaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 4-6 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: July to September
• Bloom Description: Orange
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

To establish Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA successfully, plant the rhizomes in spring only after all danger of frost has passed. Select a location offering full sun and ensure the soil is moist, organically rich, and critically, well-drained to prevent rhizome rot. Space the rhizomes between 18 to 24 inches apart and bury them approximately 4 to 6 inches deep.

Maintain a medium water schedule, especially through hot periods, though established plants are relatively adaptable. Maintenance is generally low; remove entire spent flowering stems immediately after the blooms fade to encourage continuous new production. This simple pruning keeps the plant looking tidy and directs energy into further growth.

In USDA Zones 7 through 10, the rhizomes are often hardy enough to survive winter underground. For colder climates, overwintering is necessary. After the first frost blackens the foliage in fall, cut the entire plant down to the ground level. Carefully lift the entire rhizome clump for storage in a cool, dry location (ideally above 40°F), keeping them surrounded by a dry medium like peat moss or vermiculite.

When dividing, do so only in spring before you replant the rhizomes back outdoors. For container-grown specimens, you can often store the entire container indoors over winter if conditions allow. Remember to occasionally mist stored rhizomes lightly during winter to prevent them from drying out completely, which can lead to shriveling.

Landscape Uses

Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA serves brilliantly as a vertical accent across various landscape designs. Its stature makes it ideal for mass planting in large beds or borders where it provides a continuous tropical backdrop throughout the summer. Consider using this Canna variety to anchor the rear of perennial or annual groupings, as its height achieves necessary layering.

The dramatic foliage holds its appeal even when the plant is not flowering, making it effective when backlit by the afternoon sun. Due to its impressive size, this cultivar is well-suited for planting near foundations where strong architectural elements are desired. For a bold statement, plant several Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA rhizomes in large containers near patios or entryways.

Pair this vibrant Canna with lower-growing annuals that contrast its bold texture, such as silver or fine-leafed trailers, for maximum visual impact. The bright orange flowers are particularly attractive to hovering hummingbirds, adding wildlife value to your sunny border.

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Canna is a genus of tropical and subtropical, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennials known for producing flower spikes from summer into early fall atop sturdy, erect stems sheathed in large, paddle-shaped leaves. Cultivars like ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA are selected specifically for their vividly colored foliage and bright blooms, which offer great appeal to hummingbirds. This specific hybrid features distinct orange-red variegated leaves with bright orange flowers, having originated as a chance seedling from Canna ‘Wyoming’. Mature clumps reliably reach 4 to 6 feet tall, spreading moderately to fill a 2 to 3-foot area.

Tolerances

• Flower spots, rust, and bacterial blight may appear
• Watch for aster yellows symptoms

Potential Problems

The primary concern when cultivating Canna rhizomes, including Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA, is rot, which occurs if soils are poorly drained and remain overly saturated. Always prioritize excellent drainage in planting areas. Foliar issues can include leaf spots, rust, and bacterial blight, which are often managed by improving air circulation and avoiding overhead watering during wet periods.

In terms of pests, keep an eye out for chewing insects and mollusks. Japanese beetles, various caterpillars, and leaf rollers can damage the large foliage, while slugs and snails frequently target emerging growth. Regular inspection and manual removal or targeted treatments for these pests will help keep the foliage looking spectacular all season long.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA suitable for?

This Canna selection is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 10, allowing it to be grown as a perennial throughout much of the southern US.

How large does Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA grow?

Mature clumps typically reach a height between 4 and 6 feet tall, spreading out to occupy an area 2 to 3 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA need?

For the best foliage color and prolific blooming, Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA requires full sun exposure throughout the growing season.

When does Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA bloom?

This Canna variety produces its bright orange flowers consistently during the peak summer months, generally blooming from July through September.

Conclusion

Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA offers undeniable tropical drama through its strikingly variegated foliage and cheerful orange blooms, making it a low-maintenance superstar for summer color. Whether planted as a seasonal annual or treated as a hardy perennial in warmer climates, this Canna selection transforms basic garden spaces into vibrant displays. Always ensure sharp drainage and appropriate sun exposure when planning where to situate your Canna rhizomes this spring.

Companion Planting

When designing borders featuring Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA, consider pairing it with plants that contrast its large leaf size and warm colors. Tall, airy companions like ornamental grasses (e.g., Miscanthus) or delicate-flowered perennials such as tall salvias create dynamic texture differences. Since both the Canna and many good companions appreciate consistent moisture and full sun, cultural compatibility is high.

For the front of the border, choose lower spreading annuals or perennials that won’t be completely overshadowed by the Canna’s 4–6 foot reach. Blue or white flowering plants provide a cool contrast to the orange blooms and warm tones of the ‘Phasion’ foliage. Plants like Blue Ageratum or white Calibrachoa work wonderfully to emphasize the drama of the Canna.

Design Ideas for Tropical Groupings

To achieve a truly lush, subtropical feel, cluster Canna ‘Phasion’ TROPICANNA with other large-leafed tropicals like Elephant Ears (Colocasia) or banana plants, provided you can meet their similar high water and high sun needs. Grouping several Canna cultivars together, mixing leaf textures and flower colors, creates an instant, high-impact focal point in a large yard. Even in smaller spaces, a single specimen TROPICANNA in a large container, surrounded by trailing vines, can serve as the garden’s centerpiece.

When placed near water features or patios, the architectural height of the Canna draws the eye upward, enhancing the perceived scale of the outdoor living area. Ensure sufficient space is given around the clump, reflecting the 2-3 foot spread it will eventually occupy, to allow air movement and showcase the striking leaf variegation fully.