Lantana (Lantana camara)

How much light does a Lantana need?

Lantana needs full sun to grow and bloom well outdoors. Give it at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, and more is better since some guidance calls for a full eight hours. A spot that stays shaded most of the day will not meet this need.

• Light: Full sun^1,2

How often to water a Lantana

Check the top inch or two of soil before you water lantana again. Add water only once that layer feels dry, since the plant does best with soil moisture that moves between dry and medium rather than staying wet. If the top layer still feels damp, wait before watering again.

• Water: Dry to medium³

Best soil for a Lantana

Lantana grows in nearly any soil type as long as it drains well. The soil can move from occasionally dry to lightly moist, but it should not stay wet. Soil that stays wet increases the risk of root rot, especially with frequent watering. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 8.0. That span runs from slightly acidic through neutral to slightly alkaline.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally dry⁴
• Soil pH: pH 6–8¹

Hardiness and temperature

USDA hardiness zones 7a through 11b outdoors suit lantana as a perennial. Zone 7a is the cooler edge of that range. Zone 11b is the warmest edge of that range. Many zones in between, such as 8, 9, and 10, also support it outdoors year-round. In full sun within this range, lantana grows quickly through the warm months. Check your local zone against 7a through 11b before you plant lantana as a perennial outdoors. No cited source here gives an exact minimum winter temperature for lantana.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–11b¹
• Minimum temperature: 28.4 °F (-2 °C)⁵

Pruning a Lantana

Prune lantana hard in early spring to remove old growth and keep the plant from becoming woody. This is a hard, renewal-type cut. You can also do lighter shaping cuts through the summer months. Cutting back hard in early spring also removes growth left over from the previous year. Lantana grows quickly, and some cultivars are especially vigorous.

• Pruning: Light shaping and Hard renewal pruning (Mar, Jun–Aug)⁴

How to plant a Lantana

Outdoors, lantana grows as a perennial within USDA hardiness zones 7a through 11b. Zone 7a is the coolest zone in that range, and zone 11b is the warmest. Pick a planting site that gets full sun outdoors, since lantana needs at least six hours of direct light a day. Lantana also grows quickly once it is in the ground. Check your local USDA zone against this 7a to 11b range before you plant lantana outdoors as a perennial.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–11b¹

Winter care

Lantana is winter-hardy outdoors only within USDA zones 7a through 11b. Within that range, it can stay in the ground through winter as a perennial. Zone 7a marks the coolest end of this range, and zone 11b marks the warmest. Once new growth starts in spring, cut lantana back hard to remove old growth from the previous year. This hard, renewal-type cut is the pruning method recommended for lantana in spring.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–11b¹
• Minimum temperature: 28.4 °F (-2 °C)⁵

How to propagate a Lantana

You can start new lantana plants from stem cuttings. Look for a stem that has no flowers on it. Clip off a piece about 6 inches (15 cm) long. This simple cutting method is the propagation approach described in the cited extension sources used for this page.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings³

Common problems

Lace bugs are a common lantana pest, leaving leaves grayish and stippled, or brown and dropping. Caterpillars can also damage the leaves. Other pests on this plant include spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and scale insects. Powdery mildew can develop if lantana grows in shade. Root rot can set in when soil is poorly drained or watered too often. Sooty mold is another disease reported on this plant.

• Common pests: lace bugs, caterpillars, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips and scale insects^4,4,4,4,6
• Common diseases: powdery mildew, root rot and sooty mold^4,4,4

Questions and answers

Is lantana toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes, lantana is toxic to both cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and to dogs, and the Pet Poison Helpline reports that it contains the toxins lantadene A and B. If a cat or dog eats part of this plant, contact your vet or a pet poison line right away.

How often should I water lantana?

Check the top 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of soil before you water lantana again. Water only once that layer has dried out, since this plant does best with soil that moves between dry and medium moisture.

Does lantana need full sun or shade?

Lantana needs full sun outdoors, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Growing it in shade instead can also lead to powdery mildew.