Hello, A friend rescued this plant from her compost at her building at the beginning of the summer. She was unable to keep it so passed it along to me. I like the plant but need to know what it is because I have a cat who is likely to try to eat it. Currently, I have it on a top shelf where kitty cannot reach it. The plant seems fairly hardy. My friend had it, and watered it, outside all summer including during our Vancouver August heat. But it is unhappy with the cooler weather we are currently having (approx. 9C at night). Does anyone know what this plant is? I need to know the ID so I can know if I am able to move it into my apartment properly, or if I need to find it a new (feline-less) home. Thank you!
This looks like a canna. There should be a fat rhizome close to the surface of the soil. They are sub-tropical to tropical and are likely to die back to soil surface in colder climes. Even in Florida, I'd be trimming this one back when the leaves start to brown. Cannas are related to bananas and gingers and will not harm the cat.
