Lantanas, members of the genus of the same name, are evergreen shrubs or perennials, sometimes grown as annuals, that are prized for the clusters of flowers they produce. They can be found in a range of colors, including purple, red, orange, yellow and white. Its various growth habits make the available species and cultivars of this heat-tolerant plant appropriate as ground covers, shrubs or in window boxes, hanging baskets or other containers.
Site and Soil Considerations
As a general rule, lantanas can grow as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 8 and warmer, although they may require protection from frosts and freezes. Lantanas require full sunlight or at least eight hours of direct sunlight daily. A lantana planted in a shaded site blooms poorly. Lantanas grow well in a range of soils and can tolerate salt and low fertility but require excellent soil drainage. Incorporating a small amount of an organic soil amendment such as well-rotted compost into the planting area improves site fertility and drainage.
Water and Fertilizer Requirements
Once established, lantana has relatively low water requirements. Immediately after transplanting, a lantana benefits from regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist for a month or two afterward, as roots spread into surrounding soil. Although lantanas tolerate drought, bloom and growth are affected by low water. Watering a lantana weekly during its blooming period when it does not receive an inch of rainfall weekly encourages good plant performance. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring, often supplied shortly after annual pruning, is generally sufficient. Excessive water or fertilizer may result in decreased blooming.
Regular pruning is necessary to maintain the desired lantana size and shape and to keep perennial plants from becoming too woody. An annual pruning in early spring that involves cutting the lantana back to 6 to 12 inches above ground level serves to remove old growth and prevent woodiness. A lantana that has outgrown its allotted space generally recovers easily if cut back by two-thirds. Both perennial and annual lantanas benefit from light pruning throughout the growing season to remove tips, spent flowers and any berries.
Excessive, constant moisture around the lantana roots can lead to root rot. Potential pests of lantana include many species of whiteflies and the lantana leafblotch miner. Whiteflies are tiny yellowish-white insects that tend to cluster on the undersides of leaves, where they suck on plant sap. Heavy feeding causes leaf yellowing or drying and premature drop. Whiteflies also excrete honeydew, a sticky, sweet substance that hosts the development of unsightly sooty mold and attracts ants. A strong spray of water, hand removal of heavily infested leaves, vacuuming up the pests or the thorough application of a narrow-range oil or insecticidal soap offers whitefly control. Foliage miners leave trails or discolored patches in leaves and are best addressed by removing infested foliage and providing the plant with excellent cultural care.
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Lantana—Lantana spp.
- Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Lantana
- University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: Lantana: An Attractive Shrub for Desert Landscapes
- Cornell University: Lantana
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Foliage Miners
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Whiteflies
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