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Lantana are fragrant natives of tropical regions in the Americas and Africa. These broadleaf evergreen shrubs are drought-hardy in landscapes and cold-hardy to slightly below freezing, so they can be grown as perennials in Florida and other warm regions. Upright varieties are best grown in containers for landscape use, but they also work well in combination planters.Trailing varieties are best suited for hanging baskets and cascading elements in combination planters. Adding lantana to your spring program will attract pollinators and customers alike.
Growing Tips
Your unrooted cuttings will arrive freshly cut. You will need to plant them immediately and begin a misting cycle to root the cuttings. This will leech the soil of nutrients, so during the propagation phase use a constant feed of 1/3 the normal recommended dosage of fertilizer until well rooted.
For best results with Lantana, we recommend using a well-drained soil with a constant feed program of 200-250 ppm N. Maintain a pH between 5.6 - 6.2. Optimal EC of 2.0 to 2.2 mS/cm.
Pinching
We recommend that you first pinch Irene 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Pinch frequently to promote proper plant shape. Deadhead blooms to encourage fresh flowering.
Spacing
Lantana should be spaced adequately to allow airflow and light penetration between the foliage. Usually 2’ centers on baskets will be enough.
Height Control
Plant Growth Regulators are effective in keeping Lantana short, especially when grown pot-tight in 1801s. Allow 3-5 weeks from the last spray for the plant to flower.
Pests
Whiteflies, aphids, and leafminers are the primary problem pests with Lantana.
Disease
Irene are not prone to many diseases, but watch for botrytis while the days are short. This grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label’s instructions.
Planting Irene Liners
We recommend planting 5 starter plants per 10 inch basket. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. If you are planting 4” pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinch Irene 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Pinch frequently to promote proper plant shape. Deadhead blooms to encourage fresh flowering.
Unrooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families, but most can be described as tip cuttings (ivy are leaf-and-eye stem cuttings not tips) that stick nicely
in small plug trays such as the 105-plug tray we use (some varieties are better suited for a 50 cell tray, i.e. Angelwing Begonia, Bougainvillea, Setcrecea, etc.). Please do not order unrooted cuttings unless you are an experienced propagator with mist systems and proper temperature control.
