Lantana Plant Care and Details: Plants with Attractive Bright Flowers
Photo by Jodi Pelman from Pexels
Lantana plant is a commonly seen ornamental plant. Aromatic floral clusters of Lantana (called umbels) are a mixture of red, orange, yellow, or blue and white florets. As new varieties are picked, other colors exist. The flowers typically change color as they mature, resulting in two-or three-colored inflorescence. Lantana plants can be treated as annuals or perennials according to the region and type that are grown. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Quick Details of Lantana Plant
| Other Common Names | Treasure flower, African daisies |
| Type | Flowering ornamental outdoor plant. |
| Maintenance | Low/ moderate |
| Flowering | Early summer |
| Light | Bright direct light |
| Water | Regular watering |
| Temperature | Can survive the harsh climate |
| Soil | Any well-drained potting soil |
| Fertilizer | Any house plant fertilizer |
| Habitat | America, Africa |
| Toxicity | No |
| Common Diseases | Sooty mold, powdery mildew, bugs |
| Scientific name | Lantana camara |
Lantana Buying Instructions
- There are multiple varieties of Lantana plant so buy the plant of your choice.
- Buy a bushy Lantana plant, this will give you better flowering.
- Buy a healthy and pest free plant.
Overview of Lantana Plant
Lantana is a group of herbaceous evergreen plants belonging to the family of Verbenaceae. They belong to the tropical regions of Africa and America but have been an invasive species in Australia and Asia. They have colorful flowers arranged in clusters. The leaves of lantana are poisonous for the herbivores thus preventing any animal to feed on it. This in turn helps the plant to grow and spread without getting destroyed. The fruits are edible and eaten by birds.
Special features:
The plants have phytochemicals that has antimicrobial properties. The plants can be grown as a natural insect repellent. They can be planted for their uses as ornamental, medicinal and as a biocontrol agent.
Usage and Advantage of Lantana
- Lantana plant are ornamental plants with attractive flowers.
- The leaves of Lantana plant are said to have antimicrobial and insecticidal properties.
- The extracts from the leaves of Lantana plant are also used for the treatment of certain skin ailments, chickenpox, leprosy, etc.
- They can also be used to heal wounds because of their antibacterial properties.
General Care for Lantana Plant
Special care
Regular pruning can be done during the spring. Pruning the tips of the plant can encourage re-blooming. Ones the plants are overgrown, cutting them to one third their actual height can help in increasing the plant health and increases the chances of blooming
Soil
The lantana plants prefer slightly acidic soil. They require well-drained soil. However, it is seen growing in almost any kind of soil. They can tolerate salt content and low fertility.
Light
Lantana requires direct sunlight and grows and blooms when the temperature is warm.
Watering
The lantana require little watering. They are low maintenance plants and are tolerant of drought conditions. Watering ones in a week can help the plant grow healthily
Fertilizer
The lantana do not require the addition of fertilizer. However, a little dose of fertilizer during spring helps them to bloom. The addition of excess fertilizer can result in the inhibition of growth of the plant and flowering.
Pests and other problems for Lantana
Lantanas are mostly resistant to diseases. In some cases, they can be attacked by lace bugs which turn the leaves to dark brown and wilt. This can be prevented by spraying soap water or neem oil or by the use of ant pesticides. Other common diseases include:
Sooty mold: Caused due to whiteflies, this causes discoloration of the leaves.
Powdery mildew: Mostly caused due to the presence of excess moisture. This can be prevented by providing an ample amount of light.
Propagation of Lantana Plant
Lantanas can be propagated through seeds or by stem cutting.
A 2-4-inch-long cutting is taken from a new growth during the spring season. The cutting is dipped into a rooting hormone and later planted. Water occasionally to moisten the soil.
Lantana plant seeds can be sown on the soil and covered with 3mm soil. The soil is kept moist.
