All parts of lantana plants are toxic to children, pets, and livestock. They should not be planted where children and pets come into contact with them.
Where to Plant Lantana
In warm southern climates of USDA zones 8 to 11, lantana is perennial and can grow 10 feet tall. However, in other climates, it’s treated as an annual and reaches almost 3 feet tall in one growing season.
How and When to Plant Lantana
Wait a couple of weeks after the danger of frost has passed to plant lantanas. Lantanas like warmth, so choose a sunny spot. You won’t see any growth until the weather and soil have warmed. However, keep the plant moist for several weeks after planting while it grows its root system.
Flowers and Foliage
Lantana has coarse, pungently scented, deep green leaves that are a wonderful backdrop to its contrasting flowers. In many cases, there’s a tie-dye effect on the flower heads. Flowers generally start as a light color, then darken with age.
Lantana Care Tips
Light
The plants thrive in full sun and lots of warmth; they’re likely to produce fewer blooms and have more trouble with diseases when growing in shade.
Soil and Water
Lantanas are drought-tolerant, but the blooms decrease when the plant goes without water for too long. While they are blooming, water them thoroughly every week unless they receive an inch of rain. However, be aware that repeated overhead watering increases the chance of disease or rot. Lantanas tolerate most soil types as long as they are well-draining, and it prefers the soil to be slightly acidic.
Fertilizer
Lantanas don’t require much fertilizer. A single application early in the spring is usually sufficient. Another application during a prolific blooming period may be helpful, but don’t overfertilize. It makes the plants susceptible to disease.
Pruning
Perennial lantanas need to be pruned back hard in early spring. Cut them back to within 6 to 12 inches of the ground. During summer, lightly prune the tips of the plant to encourage reblooming.
Pests and Problems
Lace bugs, aphids, and caterpillars can cause lantana leaf damage. If the plants are very dry, watch for mites. When lantanas are planted in areas that are too moist, powdery mildew and root rot are more likely to occur.
How to Propagate Lantana
Older varieties of lantana can be started from seed. Many new varieties don’t produce seeds and can only be propagated by stem cuttings from young growth that hasn’t become woody.
Types of Lantana
Most lantanas range from less than 1 foot to 5 feet tall, but some reach 10 feet!
‘Bandana® Cherry’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Bandana® Cherry’ offers rich yellow, orange, and cherry-red blooms in large heads.
‘Irene’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Irene’ bears bright yellow, pink, and red florets in large clusters on a spreading plant.
‘Lucky™ Peach’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Lucky™ Peach’ offers heads of orange-peach flowers that mature to peachy-pink on compact plants.
Lantana Montevidensis
Lantana montevidensis is a wild form with lavender-purple flowers on a plant that can reach 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
‘Landmark Pink Dawn’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Landmark Pink Dawn’ offers creamy yellow flowers that mature to soft pink and can grow to 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide.
‘Luscious® Grape’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Luscious® Grape’ displays clusters of lavender-purple flowers on a vigorous, floriferous plant. It grows 16 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
‘Luscious® Citrus Blend’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Luscious® Citrus Blend’ is a heat-loving selection with vibrant red, orange, and yellow flowers on a mounding plant that grows to 3 feet tall and wide.
‘Lucky™ Pot of Gold’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Lucky™ Pot of Gold’ offers heads of rich yellow blooms on compact plants that grow 1 foot tall and wide. It can tolerate humidity.
‘Patriot™ Firewagon’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Patriot™ Firewagon’ offers clusters of yellow flowers that turn from bright yellow to red-orange. They grow to 3 1/2 feet tall by 2 feet wide.
‘Samantha’ Lantana
Lantana ‘Samantha’ has yellow flowers and golden-variegated foliage. It grows to 2 feet tall by 2 1/2 wide.
Lantana Companion Plants
Angelonia
Angelonia is also called summer snapdragon, and you’ll know why once you get a good look at it. Its salvia-like flower spires reach a foot or two high, studded with fascinating snapdragon-like flowers in beautiful shades of purple, white, or pink. It’s the perfect plant for adding bright color to hot, sunny spaces. This tough plant blooms all summer. While all the varieties are beautiful, keep an eye out for the sweetly scented selections. Most gardeners treat angelonia as an annual, but it’s a tough perennial in Zones 9-10. If you have a bright, sunny spot indoors, you can keep it flowering all winter.
Stage
Pentas is one of the best butterfly-attracting plants around. It blooms all summer, even during the hottest weather, with large clusters of starry blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies by the dozens. The plant grows well in both containers and ground—and can make a good houseplant if you have enough light. It does best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Pentas is grown as an annual in most parts of the country, but it’s hardy in Zones 10-11. Plant after all danger of frost has passed.
Salvia
There are few gardens that don’t have at least one salvia growing. Whether you have sun or shade, a dry garden or lots of rainfall, there’s a salvia you’ll find indispensable. All attract hummingbirds, especially the red ones, and are great picks for hot, dry sites where you want tons of color all season. Most salvias dislike cool weather, so plant once all danger of frost has passed.
Garden Plans for Lantana
Garden Plan for Partial Shade
This garden plan combines easy, adaptable plants to add color to spots that don’t see full sun.
Tropical-Look Garden Plan
Make a bold garden statement with dramatic flowers and foliage.
