Lantana camara care: the best tips and tricks

showy flowers

The Lantana camara is a flowering plant that is found in many public gardens, green walls and spaces dedicated to decoration. It is a shrub that is used to make hedges, green walls on farm boundaries and is very resistant to suffocating heat and has a great capacity to be able to place it in places without problems of soil salinity or affectation by pests and diseases. However, many people wonder about the camera lantana care.

For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you everything you need to know about Lantana camara care, its characteristics and much more.

Key features

lantana camera

Bright, sun-loving, and a prolific flower producer, the Lantana camara plant will adorn any landscape with its rich color. Gradually, it was introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions.

These verbena-like flowers are prized for their long blooms. There is diversity among its species, the available varieties offer a wide range of colors ranging from red, yellow, white, orange, pink to lilac.

Depending on the region and type of planting, these plants can be considered annuals or perennials. Planted in the garden or in containers, they are a great option for gardeners who want to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Know its main uses since you will basically find two types of breeds:

It can be used for large-scale plantings to enhance landscapes, mixed with other perennials, as a garden walkway border, container or hanging basket, and anywhere else summer calls for color.

Lantana camara plantation

Growing it in the garden is a great way to add color and interest. All you need to do is choose a sunny spot and plant in well-drained soil. Although they can tolerate many soil conditions, they do best in slightly acidic soils.

They are best planted in spring, once the threat of cold weather has passed. Remember, they prefer warmer temperatures for good development; Although it can be slow, once you take your time, it will go a long way. Once you decide to have a Lantana camara, you should consider taking care of its spreading cut. For this you need:

  • Cut about 15 cm. It should have a healthy appearance and fresh growth.
  • Remove the lower leaves and dip them in rooting hormone.
  • Insert it into the bottom of a pot with at least 6 cm of composted soil.
  • Cover the cutting with a plastic bag or clear plastic bottle upside down, as if you were making a mini greenhouse.
  • Keep the cutting moist and, once established, can be transplanted into a larger pot.

On the other hand, if you want to establish this species in your personal garden by transplanting, you should know some details that will help you ensure that the planting and development process takes place in perfect conditions. Start with:

  • Find a spot that has good drainage: To determine if it has good drainage, check to see if it’s completely dry four to six hours after it rains.
  • Prepare the soil: start by digging deep and adding a little compost to enrich the soil and improve drainage. Even consider adding slow release fertilizers.
  • Dig a hole as deep as your plant: Make sure the hole is a little deeper and twice as wide as the cut. Put it in the hole with the ground and slightly press down with your hand.
  • Mulch holes: mix the remaining soil with compost and cover the plantings.

Once you’ve done this, give it plenty of water and continue to water it twice a week until it’s fully established. Again, if you don’t have a healthy cutting, you can plant from seed. Keep in mind that they can take several weeks to germinate. You just need to take a container, add some compost soil and introduce the seeds. Keep them in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight.

Lantana camara care

Caring for lantana camara in the garden

Cultivation and care are not complicated. When newly planted, they require frequent watering and, once established, they require little maintenance and tolerate even the driest conditions.

General care includes:

  • Water once a week to keep them active.
  • Fertilize every spring, being careful not to overdo it, as it will inhibit its general flowering.
  • To stimulate flower buds, cut the tips periodically.
  • Prune in spring.
  • It grows in bright light with at least 3 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Plagues and diseases

Few pests and diseases attack them, and you’ll find them to be some of the most insect-resistant species. However, a large number of pests can affect it. Early detection and timely identification of these will speed up the treatment and recovery process.

  • powdery mildew: It happens when you don’t get enough natural light.
  • Root rot: It happens if the soil is too wet.
  • Sooty mold: It turns some leaves black, which is attributed to pests such as whiteflies.

Other common pests that affect Lantana camara are lace bugs, such as bed bugs, which cause the leaves to turn gray or brown and then dry out.

Some advice on the care of the Lantana camara

lantana camara care

Mastering their care is not difficult. It grows year-round once you understand that it works well in any bright, sunny yard. It will continue to bloom and will require occasional minor adjustments.

So that everything works smoothly with the Lantana camara, consider our tips and recommendations that we share below:

  • Keep the rooting medium slightly moist.
  • During active growth, water as often as possible.
  • Keep it in direct sunlight year-round or it won’t bloom.
  • Apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the care of the Lantana camara and its characteristics.

Lantana camara care: the best tips and tricks

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