Lantana is a popular ornamental plant grown for the brightly colored flowers that bloom nonstop for months, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and other insect pollinators. Hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, this tender shrub is grown as an annual in most regions.
This versatile plant is easy to grow in containers and combines well with many other annuals. Here are some tips on growing lantana in pots.
Lantana comes in different forms, making it suitable for a variety of containers. Plants can reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide in a single growing season, with trailing forms reaching up to 3 feet long. Dwarf lantana typically grow no more than 8 to 24 inches tall and wide, depending on the variety.
Bush types can be used in upright containers as a stand-alone accent or in combination with other plants. Some of the best varieties include Luscious® Goldengate™, Landmark™ Citrus, and ‘Dallas Red’.
Trailing or spreading forms are suitable for hanging baskets and window boxes. Varieties include Luscious Grape®, purple trailing verbena (L. montevidensis) and Spreading Sunset™.
Dwarf or smaller varieties are valuable for small spaces, window boxes and in combination with other plants. These include Bandana® Lemon Zest, Patriot™ Rainbow Compact and Little Lucky™ Red.
Lantana is a gorgeous tropical flower that is a favorite for containers and hanging baskets With its bright clusters of blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, purple and white, it provides eye-catching color from spring through fall. But lantana really shines when paired with the right companion plants The key is to choose plants with similar growing needs that complement lantana’s flowers, foliage and habit.
When planning your lantana container garden here are some tips for selecting perfect plant partners
Choose Plants with Matching Sun and Soil Needs
Lantana thrives in full sun and fast-draining soil. Be sure to select companion plants that also prefer these conditions, such as angelonia, calibrachoa, verbena and osteospermum. Plants like impatiens and begonias that require shade and moist soil will not work well.
Complement Flower Colors
Pair lantana with plants whose flowers offer an attractive color contrast, such as blue angelonia, yellow marigolds or pink petunias. Or choose companions with similar hot tones, like orange or red.
Vary Flower Shapes and Textures
Combine lantana’s small flower clusters with companions that have different flower forms, such as angelonia’s upright spikes, petunia’s velvety blooms or verbena’s tiny starry flowers. Foliage textures like sweet potato vine’s trailing vines or coleus’ colorful leaves add interest too.
Include Thriller, Filler and Spiller Plants
Create dimension by including plants of different heights. Use taller thriller plants like ornamental grasses or canna lily in the center, lantana as a filler around them, and trailing spillers like ivy or calibrachoa on the edges.
Time Bloom Periods
For continuous color, partner early bloomers like petunias with late bloomers like angelonia. Lantana flowers from spring until frost.
Keep Proportions Balanced
Make sure the container and plants are scaled correctly. Lantana grows 12-24 inches wide and tall. Plant it with companions of similar size that won’t outgrow the space.
Provide Consistent Watering and Fertilizing
Container plants dry out faster than in-ground plants. Check soil daily and water when the top 1-2 inches become dry. Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Watch for Pests
Check frequently for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and other common container garden pests. Take action quickly if any appear.
Now let’s look at some excellent companion plants to grow with lantana:
Angelonia
Angelonia offers gorgeous contrast with its upright spikes of flowers. Choose cultivars like Serena Blue, Serena White or Serena Pink. Angelonia blooms summer through fall.
Calibrachoa
Also called million bells, calibrachoa is a trailing plant smothered in tiny petunia-like blooms. It comes in lovely colors like blue, yellow, pink and purple.
Nemesia
The compact, mounding flowers of nemesia complement lantana’s spreading shape. Pick a color like white, yellow, orange or pink.
Ornamental Peppers
For something edible yet ornamental, plant hot or sweet peppers like Black Pearl or Explosive Ember. They offer bushy shapes and glossy black or red fruits.
Petunias
Petunias are available in a huge range of solid and bicolor flowers. Try Supertunia Vista Bubblegum or Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo. Petunias bloom from spring to fall.
Salvia
The tubular flower spikes of salvia make a nice contrast to lantana. Go for red, purple or white varieties. Salvia blooms in summer and fall.
Scaevola
Fan flowers are a great trailing companion with dainty blue or white blossoms. Pick cultivars like Whirlwind Blue or Whirlwind White.
Sweet Potato Vine
The gorgeous trailing foliage of sweet potato vine spills beautifully over container edges. Select a chartreuse, purple or tricolor variety.
Verbena
Tiny clusters of flowers give verbena a different texture. Superbena Royale Peachy Keen or Superbena Sparkling Amethyst offer vivid color.
With the right combinations, your lantana container will be ablaze with complementary colors and textures for months on end. Have fun playing with exciting plant pairings! Proper selection, planting, watering and fertilizing will keep your lantana and companions thriving all season long.
LANTANA CARE IN POTS
Luscious® Goldengate™ lantana (Lantana camara). Photo by: Proven Winners.
Follow these tips for potted lantana to promote lush growth and prolific flowering:
Container specifications: Use a container that is big enough to accommodate the root ball, taking into account a full season’s growth. Allow extra room if other plants will be included. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes.
Light: Lantana blooms best in full sun. Choose a site with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
Soil: Use a high quality all-purpose potting mix that drains well. Add sand, vermiculite, or perlite to improve drainage if needed.
How often to water lantana in pots: Lantana are somewhat drought tolerant. Plants in containers need more regular watering than those in the ground. When the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry, it’s time to water. Avoid splashing the foliage and provide good air circulation to help prevent diseases. Overwatering can cause root rot.
Fertilizing: Plants in containers need more frequent fertilizing than those in the ground, as nutrients leach out more quickly. Add a granular slow-release fertilizer to the soil at the time of planting. Supplement with a water soluble liquid fertilizer once a month through the growing season.
How to prune lantana in pots: Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote new blooms. If plants become leggy by midsummer, cut back by up to one-third.
Learn more about how to grow & care for lantana.
Designing ContainersCreate gorgeous planters full of flowers, veggies and more
Luscious® Grape lantana (Lantana montevidensis). Photo by: Proven Winners.
Lantana is a popular ornamental plant grown for the brightly colored flowers that bloom nonstop for months, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and other insect pollinators. Hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, this tender shrub is grown as an annual in most regions.
This versatile plant is easy to grow in containers and combines well with many other annuals. Here are some tips on growing lantana in pots.
Lantana comes in different forms, making it suitable for a variety of containers. Plants can reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide in a single growing season, with trailing forms reaching up to 3 feet long. Dwarf lantana typically grow no more than 8 to 24 inches tall and wide, depending on the variety.
Bush types can be used in upright containers as a stand-alone accent or in combination with other plants. Some of the best varieties include Luscious® Goldengate™, Landmark™ Citrus, and ‘Dallas Red’.
Trailing or spreading forms are suitable for hanging baskets and window boxes. Varieties include Luscious Grape®, purple trailing verbena (L. montevidensis) and Spreading Sunset™.
Dwarf or smaller varieties are valuable for small spaces, window boxes and in combination with other plants. These include Bandana® Lemon Zest, Patriot™ Rainbow Compact and Little Lucky™ Red.
Growing Lantana in Pots – Step-by-Step Guide
FAQ
What flowers go well with lantana in pots?
LANTANA CONTAINER COMPANIONS
Lantana combines well with a wide array of annuals, including angelonia, bidens, canna lily, cuphea, gazania, marigold, calibrachoa, nasturtium, nemesia, pentas, petunia, salvia, scaevola, sweet potato vine and verbena.
Is lantana a good potted plant?
Lantanas are one of the best annuals for full sun. Not only are they super easy to care for in pots, but they are also deer resistant, heat tolerant and bloom their heads off for you.
What are the disadvantages of lantana?
Its rapid growth rate and prolific seed production enable it to outcompete native vegetation, leading to ecological imbalances. Therefore, it’s crucial to exercise caution when introducing Lantana to new areas and to monitor its spread carefully.
Does lantana do better in sun or shade?
Regardless of where you garden, site lantana in full sun for best flowering. Plants can grow in part shade locations, but flower number will drop and plants do become more susceptible to diseases and certain insects. Growing lantana doesn’t require intense soil prep prior to planting.