I want to plant cannas in containers this year. What type of soil should I use? Do cannas need to be constantly moist and, if so, should I plug up the drainage hole in the container?

Although cannas are water-loving plants and actually do very well in a pond or water garden setting, they adapt very well to containers.

Use a soilless mix of sphagnum peat and perlite. Select a container large enough to support your canna. Most cannas will grow between 36 and 48 inches tall. A 14 inch or larger pot should work well. Also think about planting other shorter or trailing annuals in with your canna to help balance the overall look of your container garden.

Water only when the soil is dry but realize with growth your canna will dry out quicker and probably require a daily watering. Do not plug the drainage hole. All it takes is a few rainy days in a row to fill the pot with water and ruin your plants.