Winter Watering for Cannas, Elephant Ears, and Windmill Palms in Zone 7/8

Lisa in Zone 7 (almost 8) planted cannas, elephant ears, and a windmill palm last spring. She asks whether to water through winter, whether to dig them up, and what other palms and tropicals to try.

Winter Watering: Stop for Most, Minimal for Palms

• Cannas & elephant ears: They go fully dormant after a hard frost. No watering needed.
• Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei): Never fully dormant. Water only during extended dry spells in mild winters. If temps drop below -12 °C (10 °F), wrap the crown with a blanket or burlap until the cold passes.

To Dig or Not to Dig?

In Zone 7/8, cannas and elephant ears often survive in ground with deep mulch (15–20 cm of straw or leaves). Windmill palms are best left planted — they establish better. Your neighbors are right: digging isn't mandatory if you mulch well.

More Palms for Your Zone

• Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix): Hardiest palm (to -20 °F / -29 °C), slow, shrubby, short trunk.
• Sabal minor (dwarf palmetto): Hardy to -18 °C (0 °F), trunkless, huge fan leaves.

Other Tropical-Look Plants

• Musa basjoo (hardy banana): Dies to ground, resprouts fast, no edible fruit.
• Oleander ('Hardy Red'): Try in warmest, sunniest spot if near Zone 8.
• Gingers: Shade, summer moisture, fragrant flowers.
• Hardy gardenias ('Chuck Hayes', 'Kleim's Hardy'): Single flowers, intense fragrance, Zone 7 hardy.
• Camellias: Fall and spring bloomers — blooms Sept–April in mild winters. Hardy, prefer some shade.

All need summer water and a warm microclimate (south-facing wall). Deep winter mulch ensures return.