Trailing lantana

Sun

Full sun gives the best flowering; tolerates light shade but flowers less.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then deeply during prolonged dry weather. Let container compost dry slightly between waterings.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, loamy or gravelly soil; tolerates relatively poor soil but not prolonged waterlogging.

Height

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Spread

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m), sometimes wider where stems root

Flowers

Lilac-purple flower clusters with pale centres from late spring through autumn; flowering may continue much of the year in frost-free climates. White-flowered forms also occur.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, opposite, oval leaves with toothed edges, a rough surface and a strong scent when crushed.

Growth

Fast in warm weather

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.4 ft (0.11 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.1 ft (0.32 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

   full size

About 2 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Invasive in

the US and Australia

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant after frost risk has passed, leaving room for the stems to spread.
• Water the root zone thoroughly during establishment, then reduce watering as roots develop.
• Use containers with drainage holes and keep saucers free of standing water.
• Feed container plants lightly in spring; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding, which encourages leaves rather than flowers.
• Keep mulch clear of the woody crown and remove stems that root beyond the intended planting area.

Pruning. In early spring, after frost risk has passed, remove dead or damaged stems and shorten leggy growth to healthy leafy shoots. Lightly trim after a flowering flush to keep plants compact and clear of paths.

Early spring

After frost risk has passed, prune out damaged stems and shorten untidy growth.

Spring

Plant in a sunny, well-drained position once frosts are over; begin regular establishment watering.

Early summer

Check container moisture regularly and give container plants a light feed if growth is weak.

Summer

Trim sprawling stems and remove any that have rooted outside the planting area.

Late summer

Take non-flowering cuttings if you want young plants to overwinter under cover.

Autumn

In cold regions, move pots into bright, frost-free shelter before the first frost.

Winter

Keep sheltered plants bright and relatively dry, watering just enough to prevent the root ball drying out completely.

• Let stems cascade over sunny retaining walls or the edges of raised beds.
• Use in large patio pots with upright salvias for contrasting height and flower shape.
• Plant as a low flowering cover between widely spaced shrubs in warm, dry gardens where it is not invasive.
• Combine with rosemary and lavender along sunny gravel borders for contrasting foliage and a long flowering season.

Garden styles it suits: Mediterranean, Dry gravel garden, Desert / xeriscape, Coastal, Pollinator garden and Small-space.

Plant it with: Lavender, Rosemary, Autumn sage, Society garlic, Blue fescue and Agapanthus.

Wildlife: Flowers attract butterflies and other nectar-feeding insects. Birds may eat the berries and carry seed beyond the garden; wildlife feeding does not mean the fruit is safe for people or pets.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage, reduce watering and avoid planting in low spots that collect water.
• Whiteflies and spider mites, especially under cover: inspect leaf undersides, rinse pests off and use a labelled insecticidal soap if needed.
• Poor flowering: move into stronger sun and reduce nitrogen fertiliser.
• Frost damage: wait until spring growth reveals living stems before pruning; overwinter pots in frost-free shelter.

Treat as toxic to cats, dogs, horses and people if eaten. Leaves and unripe berries are of particular concern; keep all parts out of reach of children and grazing animals. Poisoning can cause digestive upset, and substantial ingestion can cause serious liver injury and photosensitivity, especially in livestock. Sap or foliage may irritate sensitive skin.

Where it spreads. An invasive weed in parts of eastern Australia, notably Queensland and New South Wales, where legal controls vary by jurisdiction. It is also invasive in Hawaii. Stems can root where they touch soil, and birds spread its seed; do not plant near natural vegetation in affected regions.

• Common lantana (Lantana camara)

  Usually forms a taller, more upright shrub with larger leaves, sometimes prickly stems, and flower heads containing yellow, orange, pink or red flowers.

• Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)

  Forms a much lower, herbaceous mat with smaller leaves and tiny white-to-pale-lilac flower heads around a darker central cone.

• Moss verbena (Glandularia pulchella)

  Has finely divided, fernlike leaves rather than trailing lantana's broad, rough, toothed leaves.

The species name montevidensis means 'from Montevideo', referring to the city in Uruguay.

Propagation. Take softwood or semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in late spring or summer and root in a free-draining medium under bright, indirect light. Do not propagate or distribute it where local weed rules prohibit this.

Accepted botanical name

Lantana montevidensis

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Hawaii, the lower 48 states, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.

Native range

Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Bolivia, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.