Canna Stuttgart

Canna ‘Stuttgart’ is a real statement plant and a favourite for anyone who loves bold foliage. Its large, tropical leaves are beautifully variegated in green with creamy-white stripes, creating instant impact even before the flowers appear. In summer it produces bright blooms (often warm orange tones) held above the dramatic foliage, but the leaves are the real star—perfect for bringing that lush, exotic look to borders and patio pots.

This variety is brilliant for adding structure and contrast in planting schemes. It looks fantastic alongside darker-leaved plants, ornamental grasses and hot-coloured summer flowers, and it’s especially effective in large containers where the variegation can be admired up close. Give it warmth, sunshine, rich soil and regular feeding, and it will grow into a proper showstopper.

Planting Instructions

When to Plant:

Plant Cannas in spring. If supplied as a rhizome, you can start it off indoors in a pot from March onwards for a head start, then move outside once the risk of frost has passed. If planting outside, wait until late spring when the soil has warmed.

Where to Plant:
Choose a warm, sunny, sheltered position with rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Cannas are perfect for exotic borders, large containers and tropical-style planting. They love heat and perform best in full sun.

How to Plant:

• Depth: Plant rhizomes about 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) deep, with the growing points facing upwards.
• Spacing: Space 50–70 cm (20–28 inches) apart as this variety can become quite substantial.
• Soil Prep: Improve soil with plenty of well-rotted compost or manure. In heavy soils, add grit to improve drainage.

Watering:
Water well after planting and keep soil evenly moist through the growing season. Cannas are thirsty plants, especially in pots, so don’t let them dry out in hot weather.

Aftercare Tips:

• Feed regularly through summer (weekly in pots) to encourage strong growth.
• Deadhead spent blooms to keep plants tidy and promote more flowers.
• In autumn, after the first frost blackens the foliage, cut stems back and either lift and store rhizomes frost-free or move containers into a protected place.
• Start watering again in spring when growth resumes.

Top Tip:
Because Canna ‘Stuttgart’ is prized for its foliage, place it where you’ll see it every day—near a patio, doorway or path. The creamy stripes brighten planting schemes even on dull days.

Plant Details

Flowering Period:

July - October (until first frosts)

Height:
48–60" (120–150cm) (approx. depending on conditions)

Position:
Full sun, sheltered

Tender Perennial:
Overwinter frost-free in the UK