Lantana is a small, woody shrub native to tropical Africa and South America. It has become popular in North America for its showy, multi-colored and long-lasting blooms. Lantana is an annual or houseplant in most areas but can be grown as a perennial in the warmest parts of the U.S.

Understanding the Context

How To Grow Lantana – Tips For Planting Lantana | Gardening Know How Known for its carefree nature, lantana is grown as an annual in northern regions, and a broadleaf evergreen shrub or ground cover in frost-free climates. The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and insect pollinators. Lantana is a perennial vining, flowering shrub in warm zones, and an annual in places with frosty winters. Fast-growing lantana produces rounded clusters of small, brightly colored flowers in yellow, orange, white, red, pink, blue, or purple; it is often used in hanging baskets or ground covers.

Key Insights

Grow lantana for nonstop blooms in hot sunny spots. Learn planting tips, care basics and top varieties for beds, borders and containers. Follow our guide for planting and growing lantana, a heat-loving annual or perennial with flowers in vibrant colors that attract pollinators. Lantana's aromatic flower clusters (called umbels) are a mix of red, orange, yellow, or blue and white florets. Other colors exist as new varieties are being selected.

Final Thoughts

Lantana is a genus of flowering, evergreen, vine-like shrubs with about 150 species recognized. They are in the Verbena family, Verbenaceae. Native to the tropical regions of the Americas and Africa, they have become naturalized in parts of the American Southeast.