In 1789 the first list of plants cultivated in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, ‘Hortus kewensis’, was compiled by W. Aiton. It comprises C. glauca and C. indica.
Aiton recognizes 4 varieties of C. indica based on flower colour, flower parts being erect or reflexed, and shape of the leaves: Canna indica α rubra Aiton, C. indica β lutea Aiton, C. indica γ coccinea Aiton, and C. indica δ patens Aiton.