Lantana is a popular, heat-loving shrub or groundcover known for its continuous display of colorful flower clusters that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Native to tropical regions, this plant is valued for its resilience in hot, sunny conditions. Its long blooming period and low maintenance make it ideal for garden beds, borders, and containers. Successfully adding this vibrant plant to your landscape requires aligning your planting schedule with its specific environmental needs.
Optimal Timing Based on Climate
The best time to plant Lantana is determined by local climate conditions, specifically soil warmth and the absence of frost. Because of its tropical origins, it cannot tolerate cold temperatures, making it a tender perennial in warm zones and an annual in colder regions. The rule is to delay planting until all danger of late spring frost has passed and night temperatures remain consistently above 55°F.
In cooler climates treating Lantana as an annual, planting typically occurs in late spring or early summer after the last expected frost date. Waiting for the soil to warm is important; an ideal temperature range of 60°F to 65°F is necessary for the roots to establish and begin active growth. Planting too early into cold soil can shock the roots, leading to stunted growth or failure to thrive.
In warmer, frost-free regions where Lantana is grown as a perennial shrub, planting can happen from early spring through fall. Planting in the early spring allows the plant an entire growing season to establish a robust root system before winter. A fall planting is also possible if temperatures are reliably warm enough for root establishment before the cooler season arrives.
Preparing the Site for Planting
Once the timing is appropriate, preparing the location ensures successful establishment. Lantana requires a site that receives full sun, meaning a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily is necessary for optimal blooming and growth. Insufficient light will result in leggy growth and reduced flower production.
The plant requires well-draining soil and is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy or poor soils, provided water does not pool around the roots. The preferred soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, typically between 6.0 and 7.0. If transplanting nursery stock, dig a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball to allow for root expansion.
When setting the plant, ensure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface, and gently loosen any tightly bound roots before backfilling. Proper spacing is important, as mounding varieties may need up to three feet of space, while trailing varieties can spread six feet or more. Water the newly planted Lantana deeply to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Propagating Lantana from Seed or Cuttings
While most gardeners purchase established plants, Lantana can also be started from seeds or cuttings, each with its own optimal timeline. To start from seed, the process must begin indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date. The seeds benefit from a 12 to 24-hour soak in warm water before planting to encourage germination.
A constant soil temperature between 70°F and 75°F is necessary for successful germination, often requiring a heat mat. This indoor head start ensures seedlings are ready for transplanting outdoors when temperatures are warm enough in late spring. Cuttings are a faster and more reliable method, especially for maintaining the exact characteristics of a hybrid variety.
Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings are typically taken in late summer or early fall, allowing them to be rooted indoors over the winter. By rooting cuttings in a potting medium and keeping them in a protected, warm environment, new plants are ready to be hardened off and planted outdoors the following spring. This overwintering strategy bypasses the need to purchase new stock each year.