If you’re looking for a plant that’s both beautiful and easy to grow and maintain, Lantana Camara is your best bet. Drought-tolerant and hardy, these summer flowers are a delight to behold. In USDA zones 9-11, lantanas can be grown as an annual or a perennial, depending on your climate.
Butterflies, hummingbirds, and other garden creatures flock to its vibrant verbena-like flowers. When they first emerge, all of these fascinating flowers are the same color. However, as the flowers grow older, their colors change, allowing you to enjoy beautiful, multicolored blooms in your vase or flower arrangement. Whether you want to add lantanas to your garden in the form of a bed, a basket, or a container, this guide will provide you with all the information you need.
Lantanas are easy to spot once you get used to seeing their distinctive orange, red, and yellow blooms. Colorful lantana plants are available in a wide variety of single and mixed-color varieties.
WARNING
Both cats and dogs can be poisoned by lantana plants. Humans should avoid eating berries because they are poisonous. Plant sterile Lantana varieties if you have pets or small children. These won’t bear fruit, but they are a better alternative because they don’t produce berries.
Plants of Lantana There are many varieties of Lantana
These Lantana plants come in a plethora of different varieties that can be identified. Many of these, on the other hand, do best in warm, humid climates. Perennials hardy in zones 9–11 can be found here.
Lanata can be divided into two types: the cold-climate variety and the warm-climate variety. This species, Lantana montevidensis, is a follower. From 18 to 24 inches tall and 4 feet wide, it’s an impressive specimen. Hanging baskets work well with Trailing Lantana.
Lantana Camara is a type of shrub. Shrub lantana plants, Lantana Camara, can grow up to 4 feet tall and spread 1 to 3 feet wide. The vibrant red and orange flowers are a joy to look at.
‘Miss Huff’ and ‘New Gold’ are two more popular varieties. There are 16-inch-tall and 2-to-3-foot-wide Lantana varieties in this family.
USDA zones 8 to 11 are considered hardy for Lantana plants. Overwintering growth in zones 8 and 9 will die back. Re-emergence of some varieties is possible in the early spring, depending on how harsh the winter was.
INVITATION TO START LANTANA PLANTS
It is possible to start lantanas from seed. As a general rule, though, they’re bought as young plants and then transplanted into the garden later.
Starting at the beginning
Before you plant your seeds, give them a good soak in warm water for about 24 hours. The seed’s hard shell is softer as a result, which aids in the germination.
8 weeks before the last frost date, seeds can be sown. Lantana can be grown year-round in areas without freezing temperatures.
Add seed starting medium to a small container and shake it around. Place a seed or two in the center of the container after moistening the medium with water. Apply a thin layer of soil over the top. The weakest seed can be pricked out if both germinate. Seeds can also be sown in a modular cell tray as an alternative. One seed should be sown per module.
Germination will occur if you keep the soil moist until then. Ideally, the temperature should remain between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can better regulate the temperature of the containers if they are sealed in plastic bags.
The containers should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
It can take up to a month for a seed to germinate.
The seedlings grow into young Lantana after germination.
Start hardening off your Lantana as the last local frost date approaches, and then you can plant it in the garden.
Lantana Plants: How to Grow Them
Lantana prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun. Although they prefer slightly acidic soil, lantana plants can thrive in a wide range of soils. They can even tolerate soil that is salty. They are ideal for coastal gardens because of this.
They spread rapidly and can reach a height of 2 feet.
Dig the soil thoroughly to ensure that it is ready for planting. Drainage will be improved as mounds of earth are broken up.
Plant your lantanas as soon as the last local frost date has passed. When it comes to temperature, however, Lantana prefers heat. Lantana’s new growth will be delayed if you plant it in the spring.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LANTANA PLANT AND PROCESS
Dig a hole big enough to hold the root ball of the plant. The top of the root system should rest just above the soil line when it is inserted into the hole. After making sure the Lantana is where you want it to be, fill in the hole. Be careful not to compact the soil.
Water the Lantana generously. Use 3 inches of organic mulch, such as homemade compost, to cover the soil after watering. Soil moisture retention is improved as a result. Weeds will also be less likely to grow as a result of this.
The Lantana will need regular watering for the first three weeks after planting. Soil should not be dried out excessively. The Lantana thrives in a water-rich environment. When you collect rainwater for your garden, your plants will thrive and you will save money on water.
Planting more than one lantana will necessitate proper spacing. Lantana plants should be spaced at least 9 inches apart. At a minimum, 13 inches should separate each row. A minimum of 11 inches of space around each plant is recommended. This gives the Lantana plant plenty of space to grow and thrive.
CULTIVATING IN TINS
Gardening with Lantanas can be done in small containers. Ensure that the container you choose is large enough to accommodate your plant of choice. The bottom of the container should have drainage holes to allow water to drain out. Use a potting mix that drains well and is coarse enough to fill the container. A well-draining mixture can be created by mixing perlite into general-purpose soil. The instructions for planting and caring for the plant are provided below.
LANTANA PLANTS NEED CARE
Once established, lantanas require little in the way of ongoing care or maintenance.
Assuring proper nourishment and watering
Lantana plants can be left alone for three weeks before they need to be watered again. Soil mulching aids in moisture conservation. An organic mulch slowly decomposes to enrich the soil and help your plants grow even stronger.
Preferably, do this in the early days of spring. The plant’s growth can be aided by a small amount of low-nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilize with nitrogen-based fertilizer sparingly. As a result, flower production may be harmed in favor of leaf growth. Making your own plant food is a great way to ensure you know exactly what you are feeding your plants. Alternatively, incorporating well-rotted compost into the soil on a yearly basis can help these plants thrive.
PRUNING
Removing spent flowers will encourage the emergence of new ones. You should feed and water your plant after pruning.
Removing disease-prone and unhealthy stems and foliage is an important part of maintaining a healthy garden.
Pruning woody or leggy stems back in late winter or early spring is best done before new growth begins. Reduce the height of the plant by 6-12 inches. The plant will re-emerge the following year, despite this being a drastic measure. As a result of this method of pruning, the plant will grow more densely.
After the Lantana flowers have faded, the seed clusters will begin to form. It is important to remove these carefully and dispose of them if you don’t want to keep the seeds. Poisonous seed clusters of lantana
Growing Lantana Plants for propagation
Most lantanas are the result of cross-breeding between parent plants. As a result, it is unlikely that plants grown from seed will look exactly like their parents.
Seeds will sprout from the remains of dead flowers. These are small blackberries that look like acorns. These can be harvested when they are ripe. Allow the seeds to dry out before cleaning them. It is possible to store the seeds once they are dry in a cool place or refrigerator until you are ready to sow them.
START WITH CUTTINGS AND PROPAGATE
You’ll need to take cuttings if you want to propagate the original plant. Taking cuttings of new growth in the spring is a simple way to accomplish this. It is recommended that each cutting be at least four inches long. Remove all but a few of the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving just a few at the top.
Fill a small pot halfway with seed starting mix and place the cutting in it. You can also moisten perlite and peat and put them in the container in a 50-50 mixture. Make a two-inch hole in the center of the medium after moistening it. Rooting hormone can speed up the propagation process, but it isn’t absolutely necessary. Insert the cutting into the opening. Place the medium in a plastic bag and press it firmly around the cutting. The sides of the bag should not come into contact with the cutting when it is sealed.
Make sure the soil around the cutting is always moist by checking it frequently. I expect to see some new growth after four weeks. Remove the cutting from the bag and place it on a sunny windowsill once new growth has appeared. Allow the cutting to mature until you are ready to transplant.
Complaints about the Lantana
Lantanas are generally trouble-free if they are planted and cared for correctly.
The most common lantana pests are whiteflies and lace bugs. Regularly inspect your Lantana for signs of pest infestations. Whiteflies can cause sooty mold on plants if they aren’t spotted quickly. The use of both chemical and organic controls is an option. If you have an aphid infestation, use a hosepipe to blast the pests away or apply homemade insecticidal soap.
If the plants are in a shady location, powdery mildew can be a problem. Root rot can occur if the soil is always too wet.
Incorporating a few Lantana plants into your garden will add color and interest. This is a beautiful summer plant that thrives in borders, containers, mixed beds, and baskets. In addition to attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, your space will benefit from the use of vibrant colors. During the entire growing season, frost-free areas can grow both Lantana and Jacobinia side by side.
