How to Grow and Care for Lantana

Lantana plants have a unique vine-like sprawling appearance from woody branches, making them popular to grow in outdoor hanging baskets or as ground covers. Lantana is known for its rounded clusters of small, brightly colored flowers that may be yellow, orange, white, red, pink, blue, or purple. Often the almost fluorescent colors are mixed within the same cluster, creating a bicolored effect.

The leaves have a sandpaper-like texture. Although many dislike the sharp, citrusy smell of this plant, the aroma of their foliage qualifies them as fragrant plants. The flower's nectar attracts several species of butterflies including the spicebush swallowtail. This fast-growing plant can be planted any time as a perennial or in the spring as an annual. Lantana is toxic to animals.

Lantana Care

Lantana plants are evergreens of the broadleaf variety. Although they may act like a vine, they are classified by botanists as shrubs. Lantana's colorful blooms make good specimen plants. They are also used as border shrubs and as ground cover in areas with full sunshine in warm climates. The plants tolerate salt spray very well, making them popular in yards located near the ocean. In colder climates, where lantana plants are treated as annuals, they are commonly found growing in hanging baskets. The variety L. montevidensis is more vine-like than other varieties and makes a better hanging plant.

Light

Lantana plants like full sun. The plant should receive at least six hours (or more) of direct sunlight every day. It can tolerate some afternoon shade but will flower less if planted in a shady spot.

Soil

These plants thrive in well-draining soil. They will grow in most soil conditions but prefer a neutral pH.

Water

Water lantana thoroughly, about one inch per week, and do not let it dry out. With sandy soil, you will likely need to water every day. If blooming has slowed or stopped altogether, try more water.

Temperature and Humidity

Lantana plants may survive in a light frost, but if the temperature dips below 28 degrees Fahrenheit or stays cold for a long time, the plant will die. Lantana thrives in temperatures 55 degrees Fahrenheit or more. It enjoys humid weather and can even survive with salt spray.

Fertilizer

Lantana plants do not require much fertilizer when the plant is in the ground—once in the early spring should suffice. They are very low-maintenance, and too much fertilizer can decrease the abundance of flowers. Feed lantana plants in containers more frequently with a balanced, gentle 20-20-20 fertilizer every month.

Types of Lantana

• Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis): These have branches up to 12 inches long and are popular for baskets or hanging displays.
• Popcorn lantana (Lantana trifolia): This type is known for its relatively small and bright clusters of flowers.
• Wild lantana (Lantana urticoides): Found in Texas, these have especially pungent leaves.
• 'Spreading Sunset' (Lantana x 'Monet'): This cultivar has a flower head with gold centers surrounded by orange. This orange color later fades to pink.
• Lantana camara 'Miss Huff': Cold hardy to Zone 7b with orange and yellow flowers.
• Lantana camara 'Bandito': Compact mounding habit with orange, red, or pink flowers.

Pruning

If you are growing lantana as a perennial, then pruning is important to promote branching and flowering, as well as to remove the plant's fruit to keep its aggressive growth in check. Lightly shear lantana after flowering to encourage future blooms on bushier branches. Cut stems in the spring to within six to 12 inches from the ground to encourage branching and blooming.

If a perennial lantana plant produces berries and you do not want the seeds to drop and spread, prune lantana after flowering.

How to Grow Lantana From Seed

Seeds for planting lantanas as annuals in cooler zones are readily available commercially. Harvesting seeds from perennial plants in warmer zones is simple. When the plant's black berries are ripe, you will find seed pods inside. Plant seeds six to eight weeks indoors before you want to transplant outdoors.

1. Pop seeds out of the pods, rinse them with water, and dry them on paper towels for a couple of days.
2. Store dried seeds in a sealed container placed in a refrigerator until you are ready to put them in a small pot for germination.
3. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
4. Fill small pots with soilless potting mix, place one or two seeds in the center of each pot, and cover with the medium.
5. Place the pot with the seeds in individual and sealable plastic bags. Keep the pots of seeds moist and in an environment where the temperature is consistently between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Remove the bag as soon as you see seedlings. This should take about a month. Plant outdoors or in an outdoor container.
   

Overwintering

Gardeners in cold climates sometimes wonder if lantana plants can be taken indoors in the fall and overwintered as houseplants. The answer is yes and no. Yes, they can be overwintered inside, but they do not thrive as houseplants. It is better to place them in an unheated room for the winter to keep them in a dormant state, providing just minimal light and water (about a 1/2 inch of water per week) until you replant. The temperature of the room should not dip much below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Common Pests

Lantana can survive most pests but watch for the following insects that can cause problems if the infestation becomes severe. The four most common pests to lantana will be aphids, lace bugs, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites. Use insecticidal soap to eliminate pests or use a method more specific to the insect to save lantana plants.