Lantana

Oh, Lantana, Let Us Lean into the Ways We Love Our Lovely Lantana (Sorry, not sorry, for all the L’s!)

Sun loving and drought tolerant Lantanas (part of the Verbena family) are truly remarkable. In 2020, when it was named “Plant of the Year” by the National Garden Bureau, there were over 150 varieties.

Popularized in the 1800’s and grown in Europe’s greenhouses, Lantana is versatile and attracts pollinators and hummingbirds. Depending on variety, it can be used in containers, as annuals in flowerbeds, as landscape shrubs, in hanging baskets, and even as patio trees. Heat and wind tolerant, Lantanas are generally pest free, and blooms are long lasting. No wonder the butterflies have a field day! Some are also salt tolerant although in coastal areas it is best to plant sterile varieties only to avoid spread. All plant parts are poisonous which explains why deer and rabbits tend to avoid munching on them!

While Lantana is considered an annual in the Dallas area, some will overwinter in areas further south, dying back to the ground and reappearing the following spring. In coastal Texas they may remain evergreen.

Interesting fact:

Lantana are associated with positivity, energy, and liveliness!

Commonly Sold Varieties:

White or purple trailing Lantana is useful as a groundcover or in hanging baskets and is a Texas Superstar designated plant. Usually, 1ft H x 4ft W.

New Gold Lantana, a Texas Superstar variety forms a 2ft H x 4ft W shrub with golden yellow flowers from spring though frost.

Lantana camara varieties, named Texas Superstars in 2024 have flower colors ranging from white, purple, red, orange, and pink, as well as multicolor. Some even have variegated foliage. Sizes range by variety.

Lantana urticoides, native to Texas, can reach heights of 6ft in the southern areas. Tends to be shorter in Austin and it can be pruned to maintain desired height. April to October blooms, are red, orange, and yellow within the same flower. This one is at home in well drained soil just about anywhere.

Confetti (non-sterile) with yellow and pink blooms is not reliably hardy in Austin but in San Antonio it can reach 2-3ft H x 5-6ft W.

Mature Size: Varies by Variety
Light Requirement: Most require full sun, some may tolerate a little shade
Water Need: Low
Cold Hardiness: Varies by Variety
Soil Type: Well Drained

Plant and they will come! The butterflies I mean!!! Texas is so large that there are other varieties of Lantana that can be called native or have traditionally been called native for other parts of the state.