Arrowroot
Canna edulis
Also listed as Canna coccinea, Canna ascendens
Also known as Edible Canna, Queensland Arrowroot, African Arrowroot
Climate Match for your location
See how well Arrowroot grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A tropical perennial with bold, large green or bronze leaves and striking orange, red, or yellow flowers; grown primarily for its starchy edible rhizomes. The plant thrives in warm, wet conditions and makes an excellent ornamental and food crop in permaculture systems.
Why grow it
Canna edulis produces edible rhizomes with higher starch content than many tropical alternatives, making it a practical staple crop for warm-climate permaculture systems. Unlike cassava or taro, cannas tolerate temporary waterlogging and poor soil, which can reduce establishment time. The dual ornamental and food value means a single planting can serve aesthetic and productive roles, though rhizome yields tend to be modest compared to dedicated starch crops in optimal conditions.
Watch out for
Cannas establish slowly and require consistent warmth to thrive; in marginal climates, the growing season may be too short to develop harvestable rhizome size. The plant's preference for high moisture can lead to rhizome rot if drainage is poor, particularly in heavy clay soils. Harvest timing matters: rhizomes dug too early yield poorly, while late harvest risks frost damage in cooler regions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cannaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
South America
Native to: Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Canna edulis is the primary cultivated food variety, prized for large rhizome production, while ornamental Canna hybrids like 'Tropicanna' and 'Black Knight' are grown for vibrant foliage and flowers.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A tropical perennial with bold, large green or bronze leaves and striking orange, red, or yellow flowers; grown primarily for its starchy edible rhizomes. The plant thrives in warm, wet conditions and makes an excellent ornamental and food crop in permaculture systems.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Arrowroot grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Canna edulis produces edible rhizomes with higher starch content than many tropical alternatives, making it a practical staple crop for warm-climate permaculture systems. Unlike cassava or taro, cannas tolerate temporary waterlogging and poor soil, which can reduce establishment time. The dual ornamental and food value means a single planting can serve aesthetic and productive roles, though rhizome yields tend to be modest compared to dedicated starch crops in optimal conditions.
Watch out for
Cannas establish slowly and require consistent warmth to thrive; in marginal climates, the growing season may be too short to develop harvestable rhizome size. The plant's preference for high moisture can lead to rhizome rot if drainage is poor, particularly in heavy clay soils. Harvest timing matters: rhizomes dug too early yield poorly, while late harvest risks frost damage in cooler regions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cannaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
South America
Native to: Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Canna edulis is the primary cultivated food variety, prized for large rhizome production, while ornamental Canna hybrids like 'Tropicanna' and 'Black Knight' are grown for vibrant foliage and flowers.