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Lantana camara
Species; woody shrub
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Species; woody shrub
- Height × spread: 3 to 6 ft (0.9 to 1.8 m) × 3 to 5 ft (0.9 to 1.5 m)
- Bloom window: late spring to frost; year-round in frost-free zones
- Color & flower form: dense clusters of small tubular flowers in white, yellow, orange, red, pink, or purple; often multicolored
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: top growth hardy in zones 10 to 11; roots hardy in zone 9; grown as annual elsewhere
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown; native to Central and South America
- Awards/registration: Texas Superstar designation for garden forms of Lantana camara
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Upright, bushy habit compared to trailing lantanas.
- Widest color range within the genus in common cultivation.
- Blooms continuously in heat with minimal care in sunny sites.
- Most available selections are named cultivars with varied sizes.
Strengths
- Thrives in heat and sun.
- Handles coastal exposure and sandy soils once established.
- Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
- Tolerates light pruning to keep shape.
Care in one minute
Plant in full sun with 6 or more hours of direct light.
Use well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral; avoid standing water.
Water deeply to establish, then allow the top inch to dry before watering again.
Feed lightly in spring; excess nitrogen reduces flowers.
Shear lightly to encourage fresh growth; remove fruit if reseeding is a concern.
Where winters freeze, grow in containers and move under cover before frost.
Watch‑outs
- Can be invasive or weedy in warm climates and may hybridize with natives.
- Leaves and unripe berries are toxic to pets and livestock.
- Overfertilizing or shade reduces bloom.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Native to tropical America, this species has naturalized widely. In Florida, many non-native landscape plants are treated as Lantana strigocamara in invasive plant guidance.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder – Lantana camara
- UF/IFAS Plant Directory – Lantana strigocamara
- ASPCA – Lantana (toxic to pets)
- Clemson University HGIC – Lantana
- Texas A&M AgriLife – Lantana camara Texas Superstar
