Popular in many gardens and landscapes, the trailing lantana is very beautiful with its rosy lilac blooms. It is very attractive to bees and butterflies and has a strong scent. It can irritate the skin and is toxic to humans and pets when ingested so handle this plant with care.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
A popular landscape plant, Lantana montevidensis (Trailing Lantana) is a sprawling woody shrub forming a dense and colorful groundcover with its evergreen foliage of strongly-scented, small, coarsely-toothed, slightly-hairy, dark green leaves. Round clusters of tiny rosy lilac flowers, adorned with a yellow throat, bloom continuously throughout the year in frost-free areas. In cooler areas, Lantana montevidensis is grown as an annual, with flowers blooming from spring to fall. They attract butterflies and bees. This Lantana is a tough, resilient plant valued for its long season of reliable blooms.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Trailing lantana do best with full sun conditions. The ideal planting spot will receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. In partial shade conditions, the plant will not flower as abundantly.
Temperature and Humidity
Trailing lantana prefers warm climates with moderate humidity levels. Too much cool, wet weather can cause fungal problems for the plant.
When grown in USDA zones 8 to 11, trailing lantana is a perennial. Otherwise, it’s an annual that’s best planted in the spring. Note that in USDA zone 8, the plant is root hardy, meaning that it will die back in the winter but resprout in the spring.
Watering
Adapted to its origins in South American grasslands, trailing lantana thrives with moderate moisture and tolerates dry spells well. This species prefers a balance of watering, maintaining enough hydration without being waterlogged. Watering should occur once every 1-2 weeks, ensuring the soil dries slightly between sessions. Typically grown outdoors due to its spreading habit, trailing lantana flourishes when rainfall patterns complement its growth cycles, requiring less supplemental watering during the rainy season.
Soil
This plant tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy and loamy soil. The most important thing is that the soil is well-draining. A neutral pH is best for trailing lantana.
Fertilizing
Trailing lantana doesn’t typically require regular fertilization to thrive and too much fertilizer can stifle flower production. However, you can apply fertilizer to the plant in early spring for a boost of nutrients.
If you grow trailing lantana as a container plant, applying a well-balanced fertilizer formula (like 20-20-20) on a monthly basis throughout the spring and summer can supplement available nutrients.
Pruning
It is always better to prune a trailing lantana in the spring. The plant should be pruned to about 15 cm to 30 cm above the ground, while overgrown plants should be pruned to about a third of their height. It can also be pruned periodically throughout the year. Typically, 2.5 to 8 cm of the plant’s tip should be cut in order to stimulate new growth and promote blooming. After pruning, cut back on fertilization but water thoroughly. This not only helps to accelerate the rate of blooming, but also restores plant vitality after its long dormancy in the winter.
Propagation
To propagate trailing lantana, gardeners typically employ the cutting method for its efficacy. Using healthy stems from the plant, cuttings should be prepared with several leaf nodes. These cuttings root more successfully with a moist well-draining potting mix, providing a stable environment to promote growth. For optimal root development, maintaining humidity around the cuttings is beneficial. Once rooted, the new trailing lantana plants can be transferred to individual pots or directly to their designated garden spots.
Transplanting
Transplant trailing lantana in the cusp of spring for robust growth. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Gently settle trailing lantana into its new location, encouraging a seamless transition to the outdoors.
Overwintering
Trailing lantana hails from the temperate climes of South America, naturally adapting to moderate winters. It is a freeze-tolerant plant, but extended cold can put stress. Gardeners should consider mulching heavily and pruning post-frost to stimulate new growth. A little extra winter care can ensure trailing lantana’s evergreen profusion all year-round. Be ready for the delightful display it will put on, come spring!
Repotting
Repot trailing lantana every 2-3 years in spring to accommodate its spreading growth as a ground cover. Choose a wider container to allow for horizontal development. Post-repotting, ensure indirect sunlight and regular watering to avoid stress. This encourages robust flowering and health in trailing lantana’s cascading habit without intensive care.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The most common pests for trailing lantana are spider mites or whiteflies.1
Whiteflies are most common during periods of hot and dry weather; the same is true for spider mites. For treating both types of pests, use neem oil or an insecticidal soap. Left untreated, the damage caused by whiteflies and aphids can introduce a fungal infection known as sooty mold.
Other plant diseases that are known to affect trailing lantana include powdery mildew and root rot. These conditions are typically related to damp conditions with insufficient airflow.
Common Problems
Trailing lantana are generally regarded as easy to grow and care for. However, problems related to overwatering or too little sun can hinder foliage growth and flower production.
- Leaves Turning Yellow
If the leaves of a trailing lantana plant begin to yellow, it could be a sign that the plant is receiving too little sunlight. Verify that the location is receiving at least six hours of direct sun daily. If not, transplant to a more suitable location.
Another reason that trailing lantana has yellow leaves is overwatering. Cut back on watering until the soil dries out and, if necessary, dig up the plant and remove any mushy, foul-smelling roots. If the soil is draining poorly, improve it with soil amendments to support drainage. In addition, be sure to use a container with a drain hole for potting trailing lantana plants.
- Limited Flower Production
The trailing lantana is known for bountiful flower production during the spring and summer months. If your plant is failing to produce flowers, be sure that you aren’t over-fertilizing it.
Too much nitrogen causes the plant to put its energy into producing leaves rather than flowers. Too little sun can also slow flower production, so verify that the plant is in a location with full sun.
III. Uses and Benefits
Trailing lantana is a common plant used as a groundcover in sunny gardens, prized for its profusion of colorful blooms that attract bees and butterflies. It is an essential plant in butterflies gardens, and is often planted close to salvias, coneflowers, and butterfly weeds.
