About
A tender, evergreen shrub to 60cm tall, prized for its brightly coloured summer flowers, which are grouped into tightly clustered, domed flowerheads. Plant in a temperate greenhouse or as summer bedding. Individual blooms emerge orange, and change to red as they age, with both colours appearing in a single flowerhead.
About the genus
Lantana can be evergreen shrubs or perennials, with simple, often wrinkled leaves, and domed terminal clusters of small, salver-shaped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. During the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep just moist in winter. Outdoors grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In autumn, lift plants and store in a frost-free greenhouse
PruningSee pruning group 9
PropagationPropagte by seed or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Powdery mildews