The Bengal Tiger Canna is a visually striking plant, popular for adding tropical flair to landscapes or containers. This hybrid cultivar features large, medium-green leaves with distinctive yellow stripes, often accented by a subtle red edge, creating a captivating “tiger-like” pattern. Showy, melon-orange flowers emerge on tall, purple-tinted stems, providing a burst of color from summer until the first frost. Its lush, exotic appearance adds drama and warmth to any garden setting.
Essential Growing Conditions
Bengal Tiger Canna thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal foliage variegation and abundant flowering. While it tolerates partial shade, insufficient light reduces bloom production and may diminish leaf pattern vibrancy. Consistent moisture is important; these plants prefer moist conditions and do not tolerate drying out. Regular deep watering ensures adequate moisture, though good drainage is necessary to prevent waterlogging and rhizome rot.
Ideal soil is rich, well-draining, and amended with organic matter. While adaptable to various soil types, including loam, sand, or clay, incorporating organic material improves soil structure and water retention. The plant prefers a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil pH, generally ranging from 6.0 to 8.0. As a tropical plant, it prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. It is sensitive to frost; foliage typically dies back after the first frost, though rhizomes can be overwintered in colder climates.
Regular fertilization benefits the plant throughout its growing season due to vigorous growth. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 formulation, applied monthly or at least twice during the growing season, supports healthy development and continuous blooming. Incorporating compost or other organic matter into the soil at planting provides a steady supply of nutrients, contributing to the plant’s overall vigor.
Seasonal Care and Overwintering
In regions where temperatures drop below USDA Zone 8, Bengal Tiger Canna rhizomes require lifting and storing for winter. This process should occur in the fall after foliage has died back or been damaged by the first frost, but before the ground freezes. After digging, gently shake off excess soil from the rhizomes, then trim foliage back to about 2-3 inches from the top.
Allow rhizomes to air dry for several days to a few weeks in a warm, well-ventilated area (ideally 70-80°F / 21-27°C) to cure them and prevent mold. Once cured, store them in a cool, dark, frost-free location (ideally 40-55°F / 4-13°C), such as a basement or cool garage. To prevent complete drying while allowing air circulation, pack rhizomes in peat moss, vermiculite, or newspaper, often using a plastic bag with air holes or an uncovered bucket. Periodically check stored rhizomes throughout winter, discarding any that show signs of rot or shriveling. Container-grown cannas can be stored directly in their pots after cutting back foliage by moving the entire container to a similar cool, dry, frost-free location and withholding water.
Pruning and Maintenance
Deadheading spent flowers encourages more blooms by redirecting the plant’s energy from seed production. Remove the entire flowering stalk once most individual flower spikes have faded. Cut just above new foliage growth or emerging budding spikes to maintain appearance and promote successive flushes of blooms.
Trimming yellowed, damaged, or diseased leaves maintains the plant’s health and aesthetic appeal. While some remove individual faded flowers, cutting the entire spent flower stem is recommended for multi-bloom cannas. This prevents legginess and ensures the vibrant foliage, which is a significant feature of ‘Bengal Tiger,’ remains prominent.
Addressing Common Issues
Lack of blooms can result from insufficient light (requiring at least six hours daily), inadequate nutrition, or improper overwintering. This emphasizes the need for consistent fertilization and proper rhizome storage. Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering (leading to rhizome rot) or underwatering, where the plant is not receiving enough consistent moisture. Nutrient deficiencies can also cause foliage discoloration, highlighting the importance of balanced feeding.
Pests like canna leaf rollers, spider mites, and aphids can cause leaf damage or distortion. Regular inspection aids early detection, and these pests are often managed with organic solutions like insecticidal soap or manual removal. Fungal diseases, such as rust, appear as reddish-brown spots on leaves and are prevented by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Stunted growth may result from poor soil, inadequate nutrients, or environmental stress, reinforcing the need for rich, well-draining soil and appropriate care. Viral diseases, like canna mosaic virus, cause streaking or mottling on leaves; affected plants should be removed to prevent further spread, as there is no cure.