How to Grow and Scarify Seeds to Grow Canna Lily Plants

Canna Lilies have astounding growth rates, they can grow from a seed to six feet tall in one growing season. Canna Lilies add beautiful flowers and foliage to a tropical garden.

I found the Canna Indica seeds for sale on eBay. They may be listed as Indian Shot seeds. They are cheap at about 20 for $5. I only buy seeds from US sellers, as I have received fake canna seeds from overseas sellers. 

These seeds will usually have green foliage and red or yellow flowers. For other Canna Lilies with the beautiful variegated foliage, you will have to buy them as bulbs or rhizomes because they are hybrids. Usually when the hybrid Canna Lily plants grow seeds they are infertile and won’t grow

First, the canna seed needs to be scarified or nicked to let the water into the seed. I use a rotary tool like a Dremel to scarify the seed. Then I soak the seed in hot water for one week until a root emerges from the seed.

Then the seeds are planted on top of potting soil in a container with a lid kept under a grow light. After a few days a plant will emerge and when the plant gets too tall for the container, I transfer the plants to cups to grow.

When the weather warms up to the 60's, I plant them in my tropical garden and the Canna Lily grows astoundingly fast, and flowers in 4 months. Grow Canna Lilies in your garden to give it that tropical look.