Lantana

Lantana acts as a perennial in Texas.  Once the root structure becomes established you may have it in your garden for a long, long time. A strong root system means your lantana can ride out the hot Texas summers and even drought conditions, returning the next year from the root structure.

Having a sterile lantana which does not form berries means you will have continuous blooms.  If your lantana has berries they must be removed before the lantana blooms again.  The berries are considered poisonous.

I always plant:  lantana with purslane.  The purslane pops up as lantana expands and provides color variation to the solid lantana.  Purslane closes in the evening so alone it does not work for me because the blooms close before dusk but combining purslane and lantana is my first choice whether you are aiming for a contrast or a blend in color.

Below you see artemsia in the background which gets leggy, the lantana will cover that woody leginess, so that’s a good combination as well.  Artemesia is a perennial.

Orange purslane, gold lantana and artemesia.

‘New Gold Lantana’  and ‘Gold Mound Lantana’ are heavy bloomers with deep gold flowers.  They reach 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide and they do not produce berries.  I have always planted Purslane with my lantana.  Purslane closes at night so I have never liked to plant it by itself.  This mixture of orange purslane, gold lantana and artemesia is a stunning combination.

New Gold, Dwarf Pinkie, Samantha (Lemon Swirl), Weeping Lavender and Weeping White are sterile.

Miss Huff Gold and Pink Lantana

Miss Huff Lantana has berries. Lantana berries are poisonous.

‘Miss Huff’ is the much loved coral, yellow and orange lantana which can reach 5 to 6 feet tall in one season.  It has no berries.

Mozelle LantanaMozelle is the pale yellow lantana center circled in a light pink it also reaches five to six feet and has no berries.

Texas Lantana

Lantana is a vibrant, hardy plant well-suited to Texas’s hot and dry climate.  In Texas, the native species is Lantana urticoides, often referred to as Texas Lantana.​

Red Yucca with Purple Shamrock and Golden Lantana.

Awards & Recognition

While Lantana plants themselves don’t receive awards, the community of Lantana, Texas, has been recognized multiple times. Specifically, it won the People’s Choice Award for Community of the Year at the Dallas Homebuilders Association McSAM Awards in 2004, 2006, 2011, and 2012. ​

 Sizes & Growth Habits

• Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides): This native shrub typically grows 4 to 6 feet tall and spreads 3 to 5 feet wide. It’s ideal for xeriscaping and attracts pollinators like butterflies. ​;

• Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis): A low-growing variety that spreads up to 6 feet wide but only reaches about 1 foot in height. It produces lavender or white flowers and is excellent for ground cover.​

Flower Colors

Lantanas are celebrated for their vibrant and diverse flower colors:

• Texas Lantana: Features fiery red, orange, and yellow blooms.​

• Trailing Lantana: Displays lavender or white flowers.

• Hybrid Varieties: Cultivars like ‘Confetti’ and ‘Dallas Red’ offer multi-colored blooms, including pink, yellow, and orange.

Lantana, Nandina and Vitex Tree

Five Common Questions About Lantana

Is Lantana native to Texas?

Yes, Lantana urticoides is native to Texas and thrives in the state’s climate.

Does Lantana attract pollinators?

Absolutely. Lantana flowers are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.​

Is Lantana invasive?

Some non-native varieties, like Lantana camara, can be invasive. It’s best to plant native species or non-invasive cultivars.​

Is Lantana toxic?

Yes, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.​

How do I care for Lantana?

Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Water sparingly once established, and prune in early spring to encourage new growth.