Hi,

typically it would be from lack of sun. Most cannas need full, all day sun to bloom well, lots of water, and at least average to good garden soil.

How much sun did they get?

Boca Joe

I also find that if they are planted too deeply, they don't perform well.

So.... lots of sun, good moisture, not too deep.

Believe it or not, I've seen rows of them here growing in dappled sun locations or areas with high shade and they have bloomed just fine. Mine bloomed last year with what might be considered part sun (~4 - 6 hours).

I think some other non-blooming reasons could also be timing of when they were planted and/or sprouted and whether the growing season was conducive for them to get to blooming stage before a frost, including enough water once they get going. We had below normal temperatures most of May last year and mine sat doing little or nothing on top that entire month, only starting to grow around June/July and finally blooming in August. Also I noticed that some offsets might be fairly immature and may not bloom the first year.

I have had the same problem with one of my cannas I got early last year. It has multiplied but never bloomed. Others that I received later did fine for me. I will keep waiting. Patience isn't my best vurture.

I grow cannas in several partially-shaded borders in my garden, and they flower well enough. I found that some shop-bought rhizomes wouldn't flower in their first year, because they were just too small and needed to bulk up before flowering.