Lantana
A heat-loving summer shrub: in frost-free gardens a permanent shrub, elsewhere a pot plant or summer bedding.
Care
Full sun and heat.
Low-medium — tolerates heat and some drought; let the compost dry between waterings.
Well-drained, not too rich soil or compost.
Cut back by half or more in late winter; pinch through summer to keep it bushy. Leaves and berries are toxic.
A high-potash feed every two to three weeks; rich feeding gives leaves rather than flowers.
Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchCut back overwintered plants hard. how ›
- MayMove outside when frost risk has passed. how ›
- OctoberBring pots in before frost; keep cool and fairly dry. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchCut back overwintered plants hard. how ›
- AprilMove outside when frost risk has passed. how ›
- OctoberBring pots in before frost; keep cool and fairly dry. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Clouds of tiny white insects.
What to do. Yellow sticky traps; very common on lantana.
How to spot it. White coating on leaves in shade.
What to do. Move to more sun and air.
How to spot it. Leafy growth.
What to do. Too much feed or shade.
Questions
Lantana: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — pots and summer bedding.
Lantana: when do you prune it?
Cut back by half or more in late winter; pinch through summer to keep it bushy. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in March.
Lantana: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–October.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash feed every two to three weeks; rich feeding gives leaves rather than flowers. Feeding months, UK: May–August.