Edible canna or Queensland Arrowroot (Canna edulis) is a highly resilient, fast-growing plant that thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a valuable addition to any permaculture or sustainable garden. With its striking tropical foliage, edible rhizomes, tropical lush green leaves, and excellent mulching properties, edible canna is one of my favourite edible mulch plants to grow. Find out more about how to grow and use this incredible permaculture plant plus, where and how to find it!
Benefits of Growing Edible Canna in a Sustainable Garden
Edible and Nutritious Rhizomes
Edible canna produces large, round, red rhizomes that are highly versatile in the kitchen. These rhizomes:
- Can be eaten raw or cooked like potatoes
- Can be dried and ground into flour for baking and thickening sauces
- Make delicious, crispy “potato” chips
Use Young Shoots as a Green Vegetable
The young shoots of edible canna are also edible, containing around 10% protein. They can be used as a nutritious green vegetable, adding diversity to your homegrown food supply during thin months.
Extremely Fast-Growing and Easy to Cultivate
Edible canna is incredibly easy to plant, grow, and harvest. It quickly repopulates, ensuring a continuous supply of rhizomes and biomass without much effort. The rhizomes send off side shoots that can be harvested to eat or to move and regrow in other areas of the garden.
Adaptable to Various Climates and Soils
- Thrives in warm climates even the toasty hot Perth summers
- Grows well in very poor soil, making it ideal for degraded or sandy areas
- Highly drought-tolerant, but will produces better eating rhizomes in well-watered conditions
- Grows well in wet conditions and even along pond edges, helping to stabilize soil and prevent erosion
Provides Biomass for Mulching & Soil Improvement
The large leaves and water-filled stems, similar to banana plants, make excellent chop-and-drop mulch. This is a game changer for establishing new gardens with poor soil. Regular pruning encourages new growth while giving you green material to add organic matter to the soil. Enriching your gardens fertility and helping protect the soil from the harsh sun to helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and build soil health.
The leaves can also be used like Banana leaves to decorate tables or even make DIY eco pots.
Windbreak & Habitat for Wildlife
Dense clumping growth makes edible canna an effective windbreak, protecting more delicate plants. I often plant these first next to new plants to help protect them while they get established and then later on cut them back to use as mulch. The vibrant red flowers attract pollinators and small birds, enhancing biodiversity. They also provides shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife which are key to creating a thriving sustainable garden.
How to Grow Edible Canna / Queensland Arrowroot
Planting & Soil Requirements
- Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade
- Grows well in poor, sandy, or wet soil conditions
- Can be planted from rhizome divisions, making propagation easy
Maintenance & Care
- Requires minimal maintenance once established
- Regular pruning helps maintain vigorous growth and maximizes mulch production
- Can be interplanted with fruit trees and vegetables to enhance soil health
Harvesting & Usage
- Harvest rhizomes when they reach full size, usually after a year of growth
- Young shoots can be harvested as needed for fresh greens
- Leaves and stems can be pruned periodically for mulch
Where to Find Edible Canna or Queensland Arrowroot?
I get a lot of questions on where to find Canna Edulis so here are some place to check out if you are in Perth: Tass1 trees, Primal Fruits, Bloomings Nursery. Otherwise check out your local nurseries that are not “chain” stores. They can often be found in the pond sections alongside the edible plants. Be sure to check the variety for ‘Canna Edulis’ as there are many types of ornamental Canna.
Powerhouse plant for sustainable gardens
Edible canna is a powerhouse plant for sustainable gardens, offering food, mulch, and ecosystem benefits with minimal effort. Its ability to grow in tough conditions, provide edible rhizomes, and support soil health makes it a must-have for any permaculture system.
Incorporate edible canna into your garden today to enjoy its lush tropical look and numerous practical benefits!
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Happy gardening!
Holly 🌿
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