Common Lantana

(Lantana camara)

Common Lantana (Lantana camara)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Lantana camara, commonly known as common lantana, is a perennial shrub native from Mexico to South America, often found in tropical and subtropical environments such as forest clearings, edges, and disturbed sites. It typically grows to a height of 3-4 feet and a width of 1-3 feet. Lantana camara is known for its small, tubular flowers that cluster in umbels with a mix of red, orange, yellow, or blue and white, blooming continuously throughout the year in warmer climates. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. Its foliage is rough-textured, and the plant can produce small, berry-like drupes that are toxic to humans and animals.

In cultivation, common lantana is valued for its vibrant flowers, ability to attract wildlife, and its drought tolerance once established. It is used in urban planting, as border planting, and in butterfly gardens. It thrives in full sun and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is quite resilient once established and can withstand periods of drought. Gardeners should be aware that it can become invasive, particularly in warm climates, and should opt for sterile cultivars to prevent unwanted spread. Some popular sterile cultivars include ’Gold Mound’, ’New Gold’, ’Alba’, ’Patriot’, ’Sunburst’, ’Bloomify’, ’UF-1011-2’, and ’UF-1013A-2A’.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub
  • Height: 3-4 feet
  • Width: 1-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Cream, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Central and South America, forest clearings, edges, and disturbed sites

Other Names

Common Names: Largeleaf Lantana , Tahi Ayam , Camara , Eldkrona , 馬櫻丹 , Wandelroeschen , Ach Man , Angel Lips , Ayam , Big Sage

Scientific Names: Lantana camara , Lantana spinosa , Lantana camara var. camara , Lantana urticifolia subsp. urticifolia , Lantana glandulosissima f. parvifolia , Lantana camara f. camara , Lantana camara var. parvifolia , Lantana glandulosissima f. aculeatissima , Lantana mexicana , Lantana camara f. aculeifera

GBIF Accepted Name: Lantana camara L.