Lantana Lantana camara
Lantana (Lantana camara) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Verbenaceae family, native to Tropical Americas (Central and South America). It grows 60 cm–2 m (24 in–6.6 ft) tall and 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Lantana in your garden →
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Lantana at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Verbenaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–2 m (24 in–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 17–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical Americas (Central and South America) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States |
| Invasive in | Australia (Weed of National Significance), South Africa (NEMBA 1b), US (Florida, Hawaii, Texas), Tropical Asia and the Pacific: check local rules before planting |
Is Lantana toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: unripe berries, leaves
Lantadene triterpenes damage the liver; unripe green berries have caused poisoning and deaths in children and animals.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Lantana
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Allelopathy: Leaf leachates and root exudates (phenolics, lantadenes) inhibit germination and growth of nearby plants in lab and field studies. (within about 2 m (6.6 ft))
Questions about Lantana
- How far apart should I plant Lantana?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft).
- Does Lantana need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lantana need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Lantana?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Lantana flower?
- From about May for 17–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Lantana poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Lantadene triterpenes damage the liver; unripe green berries have caused poisoning and deaths in children and animals.
- What grows well with Lantana?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lantana. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- One of the world's worst invasive shrubs; sterile or non-seeding cultivars are safer in regions where it is a declared weed.
- Frost kills the tops in zone 8 and cooler; it regrows from the base or is treated as an annual.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars differ widely.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Verbena Verbena bonariensis
- Lemon verbena Aloysia citrodora
- Mexican oregano Lippia graveolens
- Vervain (common verbena) Verbena officinalis
- Golden dewdrop (sky flower, duranta) Duranta erecta
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens