If you live in a warm climate with plenty of sunshine, your garden is perfect for growing Lantana shrubs. The tiny, clustered flowers of Lantana are enough to make an attraction, especially with their bicolor or tricolor effect in the landscape. Whether as a groundcover or as a border plant, Lantana provides beauty and purpose, specifically for pollinators looking for food!
| Scientific Name | Lantana camara |
| Common Name | Lantana, shrub verbena |
| Origin | South America |
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrub |
| Life Cycle | Perennial in Zones 9-11; otherwise annual |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-11a |
| Humidity Levels | 70% or more |
| Soil Type and pH | Well-drained, pH 6.0-8.0 |
| Propagation Methods | Seed, Stem Cuttings |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Mature Size | 6 ft. high and wide (as a perennial) |
| Bloom Time | Year-round in frost-free climates |
Lantana Varieties
Common Lantanas
The common Lantana is widely cultivated because of its attractive flowers having colors of white, yellow, orange, red, and purple. It’s otherwise called the shrub verbena, growing an average height of three to six feet. It quickly spreads when in cultivation and can be invasive in other areas. Common Lantana is more rounded, so it’s more suited for potting.
Trailing Lantanas
The trailing Lantana has a more sprawling habit, so it works best as a groundcover. It produces thick foliage and pretty flowers. It grows to an average height of one to two feet, and its stems are vine-like. The flowers of Lantana are purple, pink, and lilac.
Lantana Plant Care
Light
One thing that makes Lantana happy is bright light. The perfect spot for growing Lantana shrubs is an area with access to full sun. It prefers direct exposure to sunlight for at least six hours daily. So it’s better to plant it in an area with little to no shade. If there’s a lot of shade, your Lantana shrubs will grow leggy in an attempt to look for a light source. It also has a negative effect on flowering, as low light leads to fewer flowers.
Water
Water your Lantana plants regularly and deeply to help them develop and establish their roots in the ground. Once established, provide about an inch of water to your Lantana weekly for regular maintenance. Although it can withstand drought, giving it water regularly is best. Enough hydration will help the plant remain healthy and flourishing. It also helps them grow more flowers.
Temperature and Humidity
Lantana plants love warmth and heat. The most preferred temperature should be 55°F (13°C) or more. It has a huge tolerance for hot weather but not for cold temperatures. Anything lower than 28°F (-2°C) will damage your Lantanat shrubs. A highly humid place is best. So if you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-11a, planting Lantana shrubs outdoors is the right decision.
Soil
Various soil textures, including clay, sand, silt, or high in organic matter, will be suited for growing Lantana shrubs. However, ensure the soil has good drainage to avoid problems with overwatering and root rot in the future. To prevent nutrient deficiency, the soil pH should range between 6 to 8.
Potting and Repotting
Aside from directly planting on the ground, you can also plant Lantana shrubs in containers and hanging baskets. Since it has an arching form habit, you can let it trail down in a sunny outdoor spot. You’ll just need to repot from time to time to replenish the depleted soil and renew the plant’s growth.
Once the roots have filled up the pot and the plant shows signs of stunting, it’s time to do repotting. Look for a container that’s slightly bigger than the previous one. You can trim some aged roots before potting again using a fresh set of potting mix.
To avoid transplant shock, water the newly potted Lantana deeply. Regular watering will help the roots settle in the new environment.
Pruning
To keep the Lantana shrub in shape, give it regular pruning. This plant grows aggressively. If you don’t cut the stems back, they will sprawl wildly on the ground. You can cut back your Lantana to about six inches above the ground during late winter or early spring. Cutting back will encourage more branching and flowering.
Caution: We advise that you cover your hands with protective gloves during pruning. Lantana is a toxic plant species; direct contact with its sap may lead to contact dermatitis.
How to Propagate Lantanas
As with most shrub plants, stem cuttings are the best way to multiply a Lantana. You can also start with seeds, but this process takes more time and effort. Hence, it’s not advisable.
To propagate:
- Choose a non-flowering shoot and cut it to about three inches long.
- Remove the lower leaves and retain a few young leaves on top.
- Dip the lower tip into a rooting hormone for a few seconds, then plant it in a potting mix.
- Water the soil deeply and cover the container with plastic to conserve moisture.
- Place the container near a window sill with bright, indirect light.
- Water the soil from time to time to keep it moist.
In a few weeks, the cuttings will develop roots. Once new leaves unfurl, your cuttings are ready for transplanting into bigger pots.
Lantana as a Flowering Plant
Lantana shrubs bears pretty flowers. Although quite small in size, the flowers form a rounded cluster of varying colors, including yellow, orange, white, red, pink, blue, or purple. The flowers are bright and highly attractive because of their tricolor or bicolor effect. Flowers are long-lasting and showy, beginning Fall to Summer seasons or even year-round in frost-free climates.
Pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies enjoy Lantana’s vibrant colors and fragrances. When mass planted, they make the landscape colorful and attractive. The only downside is that all parts of this plant are toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. So, you need to be extra careful when you have pets around.
Common Problems with Lantana
Being a low-maintenance plant doesn’t guarantee that Lantana is totally free of pests and diseases. A few problems may arise along the way, so better be prepared. Here are some common pests and diseases to watch out for:
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that normally attacks the surface of the leaves. The spores they produce leave a dust-like appearance on the affected area. Heavily infected foliage may turn yellow and distorted.
To prevent this disease, plant your Lantana in a location with full sunlight access. Avoid overhead watering because it will make the foliage wet. Shady and moist areas will encourage fungal growth, so avoid these conditions.
Root Rot
Lantana shrub is susceptible to root rot disease, especially if it receives more water than necessary. Overwatering is a major enemy of drought-tolerant plants and can lead to death. It’s crucial that you plant your Lantana in well-draining soil and that you water moderately.
Caterpillar Damage
We all know how quickly a caterpillar can defoliate a plant. Your Lantana shrub isn’t an exemption. So if you see one, take immediate action to remove it from your Lantana and transfer it to some weeds, where they can feed.
Poor Blooming
When your Lantana is heavily shaded or overfertilized with nitrogen, it will have trouble blooming. Remove whatever barrier there is to give your plant a brighter light. Feed lightly with diluted fertilizer only once a month during the growing season. If your plant is looking lush, there’s no need to fertilize at all.
FAQs
Yes. Lantana shrubs are vigorous growers. They have a fast-growing habit. In other areas, Lantana is considered as invasive. You need to cut them back during Spring to manage their size.
Yes. Lantana plants grow well in containers, either in pots or hanging baskets. Just make sure to use a pot with enough drainage holes and a lightweight potting mix as a growing medium.
Yes. According to APSCA, all parts of Lantana contain a toxic principle known as Pentacyclic triterpenoids. If ingested, it may cause vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, and weakness. The plant sap can cause dermatitis once in contact with human skin.
It depends on where you live. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, where you can grow the Lantana plant as perennial, there’s no worry about it returning. In some areas where it’s grown annually, returning every year could be rare. You can cut back the crown before the growing season begins.
