Science · High-Value Shrubs
Lantana
Heat-loving flower clusters attract butterflies; upright common lantana differs from trailing lantana and from native regional species.
Lantana spp. and hybrids, commonly L. camara complex or L. montevidensis · Tender shrub or perennial; species ambiguous
Profile
- Light
- Full sun
- Climate
- Frost may kill tops; treated as an annual in cold climates
- Safety
- Leaves and unripe fruit are toxic; keep away from grazing animals
- Selection
- Some taxa are invasive; choose locally permitted, verified low-seed cultivars rather than assuming all are sterile
Water & soil targets
- Moisture (VWC)
- Site-calibrated; depends on soil texture
- Salinity tolerance
- Not reliably characterized for this catalog label; avoid saline irrigation and diagnose with soil/water testing.
- Drought tolerance
- Good once established; containers dry faster.
Optimal root measurement depth
6–12 in
Typical feeder-root zone for established landscape shrubs. Typical guidance; confirm with a soil probe on site.
Water deeply then let soil partly dry. Young plants and containers require more attention; avoid chronically wet roots.
Problems to watch
- Lantana lace bugs
- Whiteflies
- Root rot in saturated soil
Stress signs
- Bleached stippled leaves
- Sticky leaves with sooty mold
- Blackened crown and persistent wilt
Where you'll find it
- Heat-tolerant flowering border
- Container or trailing display matched to cultivar
More high-value shrubs
All Science profilesGeneral agronomic guidance and typical ranges; actual targets vary by site, soil, climate and season.