Purple lantana is a popular choice for gardeners, known for its vibrant, enduring blossoms. This resilient, low-maintenance plant thrives in warm conditions, offering continuous color throughout the growing season.
Purple Lantana Characteristics and Varieties
Purple lantana has a spreading or trailing growth habit, forming dense foliage. Varieties like ‘Purple Trailing Lantana’ (Lantana montevidensis) can spread over 5 feet while reaching 12 to 20 inches tall. Its dark green leaves are hairy, coarsely-toothed, and emit a distinct aroma when bruised. It produces numerous clusters of tiny, tubular flowers, often lilac to purplish-pink, with yellow throats. These clusters bloom profusely, providing continuous color from mid-spring until frost, or year-round in warmer climates.
Planting and Growing Conditions
Purple lantana flourishes in full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant blooms. While it can tolerate some partial shade, flowering may be reduced. Well-draining soil is crucial to prevent root rot, though the plant adapts to various soil types (sandy, loamy, clay) with a pH from slightly acidic to neutral.
Plant purple lantana in spring, after the last frost and when soil temperatures reach 55-60°F. Prepare the site by loosening the soil and digging a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, then backfill and water thoroughly. For trailing groundcover varieties, space plants 1 to 2 feet apart, or up to 5 feet for wider coverage, allowing ample room to spread.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once established, purple lantana is drought tolerant, but consistent watering during its initial growth phase aids root development. Water deeply when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, ensuring adequate moisture without waterlogging. Container-grown lantana typically requires more frequent watering than those in the ground, as pots dry out more quickly. Observing the plant for signs of wilting can help fine-tune the watering schedule, especially during dry periods.
Purple lantana does not require extensive fertilization, especially in garden soil. A balanced granular fertilizer in early spring, or a slow-release option once or twice a year, is usually sufficient for healthy growth and flowering. Over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen formulas, can lead to excessive foliage production at the expense of blooms. For container plants, a monthly application of a balanced liquid fertilizer is often recommended due to nutrient leaching.
Pruning maintains purple lantana’s shape, size, and blooming vigor. A substantial pruning in early spring, cutting back plants by up to one-third, encourages new growth and a bushier form. Light trimming throughout the growing season helps maintain desired dimensions and promotes continuous flowering. Deadheading (removing spent flowers) prevents seed production, directing energy towards more blooms.
Important Considerations for Purple Lantana
Purple lantana is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11, acting as a perennial. In colder regions, it is typically grown as an annual. To preserve plants in cooler climates, bring them indoors before the first frost or heavily mulch outdoor plants to help them rebound in spring. It cannot tolerate temperatures below 28°F; prolonged cold can be detrimental.
All parts of the lantana plant are mildly toxic if ingested by humans or pets, with unripe berries being particularly poisonous. Contact with leaves can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Beyond its ornamental value, purple lantana attracts pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. However, `Lantana montevidensis` (Purple Trailing Lantana) is invasive in some frost-free regions (e.g., Florida, Texas, California) due to its vigorous spreading. Gardeners in these areas should consult local guidelines or use sterile, non-invasive varieties to prevent its spread.