Lantana.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Flowering shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

3 to 6 feet tall and wide

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 8 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring through fall

Care

Lantana loves the sun and needs good drainage. Water regularly when young, but established plants are quite drought-tolerant. Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowers.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in cooler months.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 months during the growing season.

Pruning

Prune lightly as needed to shape and encourage bushier growth. Heavy pruning can be done in late winter or early spring.

Repotting

Repot when the plant becomes root-bound, typically every 1 to 2 years.

Soil

Well-draining soil

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0)

Temperature

10 to 35°C

Humidity

30 to 50%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial in frost-free climates, often grown as an annual elsewhere.

Fragrance

light

Deer and rabbits

low

Safety

People

Ingestion of lantana can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, liver damage or failure.

Pets

Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep out of reach of children as the berries and leaves are toxic if ingested.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause skin irritation or a rash in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may cause respiratory irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Edibility

All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

• Clusters of small, tubular flowers
• Flowers change color as they mature
• Rough, toothed leaves
• Square stems
• Aromatic foliage when crushed
• Berries follow flowers

Height

0.9 to 1.8m

Spread

0.9 to 1.8m

Leaves

green, dark green, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, orange, red, pink, white, purple, multicolored, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

black, dark purple, Late summer to fall

Common problems

• Lantana Lace Bug — Tiny insects that feed on the undersides of leaves, causing stippling and yellowing.
• Whiteflies — Small, white, moth-like insects that cluster on the undersides of leaves and suck sap.
• Powdery Mildew — A fungal disease that appears as white, powdery spots on leaves and stems.
• Root Rot — Caused by overwatering, leading to yellowing leaves and plant decline.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring, summer

Overwintering

In colder climates, bring potted lantana indoors before the first frost and keep it in a bright, cool location, watering sparingly. Prune back significantly in spring before repotting and moving outdoors. In mild climates, it can often survive outdoors with minimal protection.

In containers

Lantana grows very well in containers and hanging baskets, needing at least a 10-12 inch pot to accommodate its root system and allow for good drainage.

Pair lantana with plants that also love sun and well-drained soil, and avoid overly aggressive spreaders that might crowd it out.

Grows well with

• Salvia — Salvias also attract pollinators and share similar sun and soil needs, creating a vibrant display together.
• Verbena — Verbenas complement lantana with their trailing habit and pollinator-attracting flowers, ideal for mixed borders or containers.
• Coreopsis — Coreopsis provides cheerful, daisy-like flowers and attracts beneficial insects, thriving in similar sunny conditions.
• Gaillardia — Blanket flowers offer long-lasting blooms and are drought-tolerant, making them a good companion for lantana in sunny, well-drained spots.

Keep away from

• Mint — Mints are highly invasive and can quickly spread, potentially overwhelming less vigorous plants like lantana if planted too closely.
• Vinca — Some Vinca varieties can be aggressive spreaders and may compete strongly for resources, especially in garden settings.

Similar species

• Lantana depressa — This species is a low-growing, spreading lantana, often used as a groundcover, differing in habit from the more upright L. camara.
• Lantana montevidensis — Known as trailing lantana, it has a distinctly weeping or trailing growth habit, suitable for hanging baskets or spilling over walls.

Science

Family

Verbenaceae

Genus

Lantana

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Native to the tropical Americas and Africa.

Conservation

Lantana camara is considered an invasive species in many tropical and subtropical regions, outcompeting native plants.

Lantana camara colonizes disturbed areas and open habitats, forming dense thickets that can outcompete native vegetation.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant for some butterflies

Pollinators

butterflies, bees, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental, attracts pollinators

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water lantana?

Water regularly when the top inch of soil is dry, but allow it to dry out slightly between waterings, especially once established.

Does lantana need full sun?

Yes, lantana thrives in full sun, needing at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.

How do I prune lantana?

Prune in early spring to shape the plant and encourage bushier growth; you can also deadhead spent flowers to promote more blooms.

Is lantana a perennial or annual?

In frost-free climates, it's a perennial; in colder regions, it's often grown as an annual.

Can lantana be grown in containers?

Yes, lantana does very well in containers and hanging baskets.

Where the name comes from

The scientific name 'Lantana' comes from the Latin word for 'wayfaring tree' (Viburnum lantana), due to the similar flower clusters. 'Camara' is thought to refer to its shrubby habit.

Good to know

• Its flowers are often fragrant, attracting butterflies.
• Lantana can thrive in hot, dry conditions once established.
• It's a popular choice for butterfly gardens.
• The plant's common name comes from the resemblance of its flowers to those of the Viburnum genus, which is also known as 'lantana'.