I grow 'Erebus' in my pond almost every year. I use the pond soil that looks like kitty litter (Stearns?). It seems the trick is to plant the rhizome right at or right above the water level.

Once they have leaves I do not think they can get enough water. I grow all my cannas in pots with NO drainage AND fill the pot with water to the top Monday and Sunday.

Pink Sunburst totally submerged

{{gwi:536180}}

I second Marquest. I have heard that it is best to let the plant start growing and show some leaves before putting them in water.

I grow all my cannas in pots with NO drainage AND fill the pot with water to the top Monday and Sunday.

Sorry if this sounds pedantic, but is that a typo? You fill the pots on Monday and Sunday? What is the point of filling them 2 days in a row, but not the other 5?

I think I am missing something.

username, LOL!!! yes that was my fingers not typing what my mind was saying. I travel so daily watering is not possible. I fill the pots Sunday evening and Friday when I return if the water is low.

What I try to do is keep them in a constant muddy bog condition.

What do you do in the spring when it's not really warm yet - why don't cannas planted in non-draining pots rot? Or do you start them in regular pots first and then transfer them after growth begins?

Would it make sense to submerge large pots into the ground with cannas, let them grow awhile, and then when the weather warms up you can pull up those pots and put them inside a garbage back and bury them back into the ground - the garbage bag would basically block the drainage holes.

Any thoughts?