Lantana (Lantana camara)

Overview

Lantana camara is celebrated in temperate climates as a fantastic, low-maintenance annual, delivering a spectacular, long season of color from mid-summer until the first hard frost. These vibrant shrubs, often sold as containers or bedding plants, are renowned for their rough, aromatic foliage and clusters of tiny flowers that frequently change color, offering a dynamic display. The versatility of the Lantana makes it an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking reliable performance in the hottest, sunniest spots.

Native to Tropical America, this species thrives in heat and is remarkably drought-tolerant once established, fitting well into water-wise landscaping plans. While Lantana camara is a tender perennial or small shrub in its native environment, gardeners in cooler regions treat it as an expendable annual bedding plant, valuing its relentless blooming habit above its overwintering potential.

Beyond aesthetics, the dense flower heads of Lantana are magnets for pollinators. Rows of flowers attract a steady stream of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects, enhancing garden biodiversity throughout the season. Planting this species, commonly called shrub verbena, ensures continuous visual interest and ecological value.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Verbenaceae
• Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
• Native Range: Tropical America
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-4 ft
  • Spread: 1-3 ft
• Bloom Time: July to frost
• Bloom Description: White, yellow, orange, red and purple, often mixed in same cluster
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For annual bedding purposes, plant your Lantana camara outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in spring. Choose a location that receives full sun exposure, as insufficient light will diminish flowering. These plants are highly adaptable, thriving in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils, and they notably tolerate poorer soil conditions, making them very forgiving landscape additions.

Watering needs are medium; while established plants exhibit good drought tolerance, consistent moisture, especially during hot, dry periods, will maximize flower production. Fertilization is rarely necessary, aligning with the low maintenance requirement of Lantana. Pruning is generally minimal for bedding plants, though older plants can be trimmed back to maintain a desirable shape.

Gardeners should note that top growth of Lantana camara is only winter hardy in USDA Zones 10-11, but roots may survive brief dips to Zone 9. If overwintering is desired for container specimens, move plants to a bright, cool location (ideally 40-49°F) before the first frost. Conversely, many gardeners find it easier and more cost-effective to simply purchase new, inexpensive bedding plants each spring rather than attempting to overwinter existing stock or saving seeds, as cultivars are often not true to type.

Landscape Uses

The vibrant, multi-toned flowers of Lantana camara make it an exceptional choice for adding continuous, long-lasting color. In the landscape, use it effectively as an annual bedding plant, providing a low, dense border along walkways or garden edges where its texture and color contrast nicely with finer-leaved perennials. Dwarf cultivars are excellent for mass plantings.

Its heat and drought tolerance also make Lantana an ideal candidate for containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. When grown in pots, Lantana can even be trained as attractive standards, adding vertical interest to patios and decks. Consider pairing it with complementary heat lovers like Zinnias, Portulaca, or ornamental grasses that share similar sun and water requirements.

For gardeners looking to leverage its pollinator-attracting qualities, plant Lantana near seating areas to enjoy the constant butterfly and hummingbird activity it encourages. Its resilience means it maintains structural integrity and color even when other plants begin to struggle in late summer heat.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Lantana camara, commonly called lantana or shrub verbena, is native to Central and South America. It is an upright frost-tender shrub that grows 3-6’ tall. It has escaped gardens throughout the world and is considered to be a noxious weed in many frost-free/tropical areas where it can rapidly spread to form dense thickets. When grown in St. Louis, plants placed out in spring after last frost date may grow to as much as 3-4’ tall by the end of the summer, featuring tiny 5-lobed flowers in dense hemispherical clusters that bloom summer to fall. Leaves are aromatic when bruised, and the flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Tolerances

• Drought

Potential Problems

Gardeners generally report that no serious insect or disease problems plague healthy Lantana camara specimens. However, when grown indoors or overwintered in protected environments, the plants become more susceptible to pests. Always monitor overwintering plants closely for signs of whiteflies and spider mites, treating promptly with insecticidal soap if infestations are detected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Lantana suitable for?

Lantana camara root systems are winter hardy to USDA Zone 9, but top growth is reliably hardy only in USDA Zones 10 through 11.

How large does Lantana grow?

When used as an annual or in marginal zones, mature height is typically between 3 to 4 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1 to 3 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Lantana camara need?

This plant requires full sun exposure to achieve its best, most prolific blooming performance throughout the growing season.

When does Lantana bloom?

Lantana blooms reliably starting in July and continues its colorful display right up until the first killing frost.

Conclusion

The Lantana provides unmatched, low-effort color from summer into fall, making it a staple annual in many gardens. Its tolerance for heat and drought ensures performance where less resilient plants fail, and its attraction to pollinators offers significant ecological benefits. Before planting, confirm your local frost dates and decide if you intend to grow your Lantana camara as a discardable annual or a carefully overwintered container specimen.

Companion Planting

When planning garden beds around your Lantana camara, focus on other species that share its demanding light and moisture needs. Heat-loving annuals like Petunias, Calibrachoa, and Million Bells pair beautifully, offering contrasting textures beneath the coarser foliage of the Lantana. Since Lantana tolerates poorer soils, avoid pairing it with heavy feeders that require rich amendments, unless those companions are also containerized.

Thrillers and spillers that thrive in full blast sun are ideal for mixed container designs featuring Lantana. Consider using upright grasses or smaller Dracaena behind the mounding Lantana for height, while trailing Verbena or sweet potato vine can cascade over the edges, softening the look of the pot. Ensure all plants selected have medium water requirements to simplify your irrigation schedule.

Wildlife Benefits

One of the most significant advantages of growing Lantana is its exceptional value as a nectar source for beneficial insects during the hot summer months. The tight clusters of flowers provide an easily accessible landing pad and consistent food source for numerous butterfly species. This habit makes Lantana camara a mandatory inclusion in any designed butterfly garden.

Furthermore, the aromatic nature of the leaves and the dense, shrubby habit of mature plants offer protective cover for smaller garden wildlife. While the fruit is toxic to mammals, the nectar production far outweighs this concern for most ornamental gardeners. Prioritize planting Lantana where you can observe pollinator activity, especially on hot afternoons when other nectar sources may have dried up.