Achira in Zone 7a & 7b
Canna edulis
Yes, achira grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Feb 13–Feb 20 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant achira in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Oct 21–Oct 28 (~180 days after planting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-8 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of achira in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 24–May 1
- Bush BeansApr 17–Apr 24
- Sweet CornApr 17–Apr 24
- CucumberApr 17–Apr 24
- ZucchiniApr 17–Apr 24
- Winter SquashApr 17–Apr 24
Achira is a rhizome crop related to the ornamental canna lily, with similar-looking foliage but grown for its large, starchy rhizomes rather than its flowers.
How achira fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Achira needs about 180 days from sowing to first harvest.
Achira planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | Nov 5–Nov 12 |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | Oct 21–Oct 28 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Oct 5–Oct 12 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Aug 28–Sep 4 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 5–Dec 12 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Aug 12–Aug 19 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 6–Nov 13 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
Harvest dates are about 180 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for achira.
Where to buy achira seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries achira seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing achira" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Achira in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest