Canna Overview
Canna is a tropical flowering plant with broad leaves, colorful blooms and hard seeds. It was brought to Hawaii shortly after Captain Cook's arrival in the Islands and later became part of local plant use and garden landscapes.
In Hawaii, canna grows in wet forests and other moist places. Its large leaves give it a lush look, while the flowers add bright color. The plant is often noticed in damp garden borders, tropical planting beds and areas where soil stays evenly moist.
Flowers, Seeds and Hawaii Uses
Canna is known scientifically as Canna indica. The flowers may vary in color depending on the variety, but the plant is usually recognized by its strong upright growth and broad, tropical leaves.
The seeds have been used in Hawaii for making lei and musical instruments, including rattle-beads. These hard seeds helped give the plant practical value beyond its flowers. Because canna likes moisture, it does best where it has enough water and room to grow.
In gardens, canna can bring height, color and leafy texture to wetter areas. It may need trimming or dividing over time to keep the clump manageable. Related tropical plants with bold leaves or bright flowers include blue ginger, red ginger, heliconia and Bird of Paradise.
