Can I grow lantana as a houseplant?
Since lantanas are perennials, they can be brought inside and used as house plants in the winter. But this is not the best way to overwinter plants due to the limited daylight in the winter. It is better to allow the plant to go dormant for several months. However Lantana can grow quite large and take over part of your yard so in these cases pruning or cutting back your plants once a year or every other year keeps them under control. Deadheading promotes more flower blooms which will add more color to your yard and also attract birds and butterflies.The best time of year to prune your lantana plants is in the early spring. This will give the plants a good start to the growing season. Some people like to trim up their plants during the winter months.Lantana overwintering is possible with potted plants. Lantana winter care for potted plants involves moving them inside before the first frost. Lantana plants should go dormant in autumn and stay that way through spring. The first step toward winter care for lantanas is to cut back on water (to about ½ inch (1.Tackle pruning lantana several times throughout the growing season. In regions where lantana is winter hardy, shearing plants lightly following flowering promotes stem branching and a future flush of flowers. Prune plants at any time they outgrow their growing space.The best way to encourage more blooms on your lantana plants is to give it plenty of sunshine, consistent watering, good drainage and regular deadheading of spent blooms. Also make sure that you choose varieties that thrive and do well in your growing zone.
What are common lantana problems?
Although lantana is generally a very low maintenance plant with few problems, some may occur, especially in improper growing conditions. Lantana is susceptible to powdery mildew if grown in shade. Sooty mold, causing a blackish discoloration on the leaves is usually caused by infestation by whiteflies. The cheerful flower clusters—in a rainbow of single and multi-hues—bloom nonstop from late spring through frost, and nearly year-round in warmer climates. Known for its carefree nature, lantana is grown as an annual in northern regions, and a broadleaf evergreen shrub or ground cover in frost-free climates.Lantanas are tropical shrubs, so they are treated as perennials in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, where the temperatures are fairly hot. These zones include the southern and western coastline. However, in every other USDA hardiness zone (1-8), Lantanas are treated as summer annuals.Lantanas are tolerant of many soil conditions. However, they do prefer slightly acidic soil. Well-draining soil is also a must. This can be achieved with the addition of amendments such as pine needles or coffee grounds.Plants to Avoid Pairing with Lantana Shade-Loving Plants: Ferns, Impatiens, and Astilbe require shade, making them unsuitable companions for sun-loving Lantana. Moisture-Loving Plants: Plants like ferns, hostas, and hydrangeas require consistent moisture, which conflicts with Lantana’s drought tolerance.
Do lantanas come back every year?
Lantana plants are moderately winter hardy. Some people have lantana that are perennial in nature and come back every year, while others replant every season. Lantanas are tolerant of many soil conditions. However, they do prefer slightly acidic soil. Well-draining soil is also a must. This can be achieved with the addition of amendments such as pine needles or coffee grounds.Not only do you want to remove old growth, but you also want to ensure hardiness throughout winter, especially in colder regions. For this reason, fall is definitely out when it comes to pruning lantanas, as this can make them more susceptible to winter cold and moisture brought about by any precipitation.Lantana (Lantana camara) is an easy plant to grow and maintain. Once established in your yard, these plants require little care and can even tolerate drier conditions. A good soaking once a week is really all they need to thrive and establish a healthy root system.Verbenaceae. One of the hardiest Lantanas on the market! The rounded clusters of flowers open a deep golden yellow, fade through deep orange, and finally maturing into deep coral and pink tones with the nectar rich flowers attracting a host of pollinators throughout the growing season.In average garden soil you should not have to water your newly planted Lantana every day. More often than not, this causes soggy soil conditions that can lead to root rot and other plant diseases. In the absence of sufficient rainfall, water only as needed to keep the root ball and surrounding soil damp to moist.
What are the disadvantages of lantana?
In some regions, particularly warmer climates, Lantana has earned a reputation as an invasive species. Its rapid growth rate and prolific seed production enable it to outcompete native vegetation, leading to ecological imbalances. Yes, prune off the seed pods as they develop to keep the plant blooming. You can leave the pods to collect seeds, however, as previously mentioned, many lantana hybrids are sterile and will not produce fertile seeds.Mysterious Green Pods – Check your plant carefully for small green pods. These are the young seeds of the lantana plant. Once the plant has begun forming seeds, it has no reason to continue blooming since it accomplished its sole mission in life. Cut off the pods to stimulate new flowering.