Plant Description

Thalia dealbata – Hardy Water Canna | Pond Plants

Introduction

Thalia dealbata (Hardy Water Canna) is a striking pond plant that adds bold structure and beauty to your water garden. With upright, powder-blue-green leaves and tall flower spikes topped with clusters of purple blooms 🦋🕊️, it is truly one of the best pond plants for gardeners looking to make a statement. Native to the southern United States, this plant combines tropical flair with hardy reliability, surviving winters in USDA zones 6–11.

When you buy pond plants like Thalia dealbata, you’re investing in both beauty and function. The tall leaves provide shade and protection for fish, while the blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Thalia thrives in shallow water and bog filters, where it helps naturally clarify pond water and control algae. It’s an ideal choice when purchasing pond plants for koi ponds, water gardens, or naturalized wetlands.

Acclimation & Planting Instructions (Step-by-Step)

On Arrival:

1. Unpack Thalia dealbata immediately and keep the roots damp until planting.

2. If the plant looks wilted from shipping, place it in shallow water in partial shade for 1–2 days.

Planting Instructions:

1. Fill a PondGrow Aquatic Fabric Pot with Handles with heavy loam or our PondGro Aquatic Planting Soil (never use gravel, sand, or bagged compost).

2. Place Thalia dealbata into the soil and press firmly to anchor, leaving the crown just above the soil line.

3. Slowly lower the pot into your pond or bog garden. The correct planting depth is 6–12 inches measured from the top of the soil in the pot to the water’s surface.

4. Choose a sunny to partly sunny location for the tallest growth and best flower spikes.

5. Fertilize every 3–4 weeks during the growing season with aquatic fertilizer tablets for robust leaves and vibrant flowers.

Do’s and Don’ts of Thalia dealbata

✅ Do’s

• Do plant Thalia in PondGro soil or another heavy loam.

• Do use PondGrow fabric pots to manage size and placement.

• Do fertilize regularly for healthy leaves and flowers.

• Do place in full sun to part sun for the strongest growth.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t plant Thalia in gravel, sand, or potting mixes.

• Don’t bury the crown beneath the soil or water.

• Don’t let Thalia roots sit out dry after arrival.

Benefits of Thalia dealbata

• Tall architectural foliage that adds dramatic structure to your pond.

• Purple flower spikes 🦋🕊️ attract butterflies and hummingbirds all summer.

• Cleans and clarifies pond water by reducing excess nutrients.

• Provides shelter for koi, goldfish, and other pond life.

• Hardy pond plant, winter-safe in USDA zones 6–11.

Spec Sheet – Thalia dealbata (Hardy Water Canna)

• USDA Zones: 6–11 (hardy pond plant; winter safe in mild regions)

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Placement: Shelf plant or shallow bog filter plant

• Depth: 6–12 inches measured from top of soil to water’s surface

• Growth Habit: Tall upright perennial with powdery blue-green leaves and purple flower spikes

Live Arrival Guarantee

We guarantee your Thalia dealbata will arrive healthy and ready to grow. Please inspect your plant on delivery and contact us within 24 hours with photos at PondQuestions@gmail.com if anything arrives in less than perfect condition.

Shipping Information

Thalia dealbata ships according to seasonal cold tolerance for your location. Early spring shipments are timed for safe arrival, and we continue shipping through the end of summer. Plants ship bare root, ready for planting in PondGro Aquatic Planting Soil and PondGrow fabric pots with handles.