Lantana (Lantana horrida)
Care, watering, light and tips for Lantana on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Verbenaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Lantana
Lantana horrida, commonly known as Five Little Black People (Cinco negritos), is a perennial shrub from the Verbenaceae family, native to America. It stands out for its clusters of tubular flowers that change color from yellow to orange and red, offering a vibrant spectacle that attracts pollinators. It is ideal for low hedges, borders, or as an ornamental potted plant in warm climates.
Native range
South America, specifically in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and well-drained soil, preferably sandy or loamy. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out slightly between waterings, and more frequent in hot periods. It is crucial to prune it annually in late winter or early spring to promote dense growth and vigorous flowering. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Lantana
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or dropping leaves, no blooms, soft stems.
- First aid
- Move to a sunnier spot (min. 6 hours), check drainage, water only when soil is dry.
- What kills it
- Too much shade and overwatering, leading to fungal issues. Doesn't tolerate severe cold.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! It's very resilient. With sun, good drainage, and pruning dead branches, it will recover.