Lantana is a vibrant, heat-tolerant plant prized for its long-lasting, colorful blooms and low maintenance requirements. This flowering shrub thrives in hot, sunny conditions, making it an excellent choice for containers, borders, or ground cover. Its clusters of small, tubular flowers often display multiple colors on a single head and are highly effective at attracting pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Finding the best specimens involves knowing where to look, whether through local retail or specialized online sources.
Finding Local Retailers and Nurseries
Acquiring Lantana from a physical location provides the advantage of visually inspecting the plant before purchase, allowing for immediate quality control. The most reliable local source is typically an independent nursery, which often stocks a wider variety of specialized cultivars, including newer, sterile varieties that do not set seed. Staff at these locations are usually knowledgeable experts who can offer specific cultivation advice tailored to your regional climate.
Large chain home improvement centers and big box stores offer convenience and frequently lower prices, making them an accessible option for many gardeners. These retailers usually carry the most popular and common Lantana varieties, often displayed in bulk during the peak planting season. However, the plant care and selection may be less specialized than at a dedicated nursery. This means the plants might have experienced less attentive watering or pest management while on the sales floor.
For unique finds and to support small-scale agriculture, local farmers markets or community plant swaps can sometimes feature Lantana grown by hobbyists or small growers. These sources can offer unique color variations or locally adapted plants not available through larger commercial channels. Availability at these venues is generally unpredictable, meaning you may need to visit multiple times or search across several different local events.
Purchasing Lantana Online
Buying Lantana through online nurseries or e-commerce platforms opens access to a far greater selection of cultivars, including rare colors or specific growth habits not stocked locally. Specialized online growers often focus on particular plant groups, providing access to varieties like trailing types (Lantana montevidensis) or sterile hybrids. This method is especially useful for gardeners seeking specific traits or needing plants for large mass plantings.
The logistics of shipping live plants require careful consideration, as the plants must endure transit in a dark, confined box for several days. Reputable sellers take precautions, such as using specialized packaging, including stakes to prevent shifting and protective sleeves. Before ordering, gardeners should check seller reviews for evidence of consistent quality and reliable packaging. This ensures the plants arrive in good condition.
Plants shipped by mail order are typically smaller than those purchased locally, often arriving as plugs or small pots. Upon arrival, the plants may show signs of stress from the journey, such as slightly yellowed leaves or limp stems. Unpack the Lantana immediately and gently rehydrate it in a protected area with bright, indirect light. Allow it a few days to acclimate before planting it in its final, sunny location.
Seasonal Availability and Selection Criteria
Lantana is a warm-season plant, meaning it will not appear for sale at garden centers until the soil temperatures have warmed and the danger of frost has passed. Availability typically begins in late spring and continues into early summer, as the plant grows best when temperatures range between 60–85°F. Planting should only occur after your region’s last expected frost date to prevent damage to the tender foliage and roots.
Regardless of the source, a healthy Lantana specimen will have vibrant green leaves that show no signs of discoloration or spotting, which can indicate poor health or insect infestation. Gardeners should specifically look for pests such as whiteflies or mites on the undersides of the leaves, as these insects can cause sooty mold or leaf damage. The plant should also be actively producing new buds or already displaying blooms, confirming it is in a healthy growth cycle.
When examining the containerized plant, gently check the drainage holes to see if roots are excessively circling the bottom of the pot, which indicates the plant is severely root-bound. While some slight root density is normal, an overly congested root ball suggests the plant may struggle to establish itself after transplanting. Choosing a plant that is well-branched but not overly pot-bound increases the likelihood of a successful transition to the garden.