Lantana is a vibrant, heat-loving plant valued for its continuous display of colorful, clustered blooms throughout the warmer months. Whether grown as a perennial in warmer climates or an annual in cooler regions, this resilient plant relies on proper nutrient management to support its long flowering season. A strategic fertilization schedule maximizes bloom production while preventing excessive, non-flowering vegetative growth.
The Critical Timing for Spring Activation
The primary and most significant fertilization event should occur at the beginning of the growing season to provide the necessary energy for the plant’s annual cycle. This is typically in early spring, just as the last chance of frost has passed and the plant is actively pushing out new growth from dormancy. For perennial lantana pruned in late winter, applying a dry, granular fertilizer immediately afterward encourages vegetative growth. This initial burst of energy produces the stems that will support summer flowers.
Timing this application with the emergence of new shoots ensures nutrients are immediately available as roots resume active uptake. Applying the feed before rain or watering it in thoroughly helps dissolve the granules and move the nutrients into the root zone. This single spring application may be sufficient for lantana planted directly into garden soil, especially if the soil is moderately fertile.
Maintaining Blooms with Mid-Season Feeding
While in-ground lantana often requires little further feeding, container plants have a much higher demand for supplemental nutrients. Constant watering causes minerals to leach rapidly out of the soil mix, depleting the available food source. Therefore, a maintenance schedule is necessary to sustain continuous blooming throughout the summer months.
For container plants, a consistent feeding schedule, such as a monthly application, helps replace lost nutrients and supports continuous flower production. The specific frequency depends on the type of fertilizer used during the initial spring application. If a slow-release product was applied in spring, a supplemental liquid feed may be needed only once in mid-summer, approximately six to eight weeks after the initial feeding.
Selecting the Correct Fertilizer Formulation
Lantana performs best with a fertilizer that favors flowering over excessive leaf growth, which is a common side effect of too much nitrogen. A balanced general-purpose fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NPK ratio, is appropriate for both in-ground and container plants. Some growers prefer a formulation with a slightly higher middle number (Phosphorus), such as a 5-10-5 or 10-10-8, because phosphorus promotes stronger flower development.
The physical form of the fertilizer should be selected based on location and timing. Slow-release granular products are best for the initial spring application in garden beds, providing a steady stream of nutrition over several months. Conversely, water-soluble liquid fertilizers are ideal for container plants and mid-season boosts because they are gentler on the roots and immediately accessible.
When to Stop Fertilization for Winter
The final timing decision involves knowing when to stop applying nutrients to prepare the plant for dormancy. All fertilization should cease entirely by late summer, typically around late August or early September, or six to eight weeks before the first expected frost date. Stopping feeding is a deliberate measure to slow the plant’s active growth cycle.
Applying fertilizer too late encourages the development of tender new foliage and stems that lack the necessary hardening to survive cold temperatures. This soft, late-season growth is susceptible to frost damage, which can weaken the entire plant. Stopping the nutrient supply signals the lantana to divert energy away from new shoot production and prepare for winter dormancy.