The lantana is rarely found as a bedding plant in our latitudes. In most cases it is kept in a pot or bucket on the balcony or terrace. The reason for this is that the pretty flower is unfortunately not winter-proof and is quite sensitive to frost.
Is the lantana winter-proof?
The lantana is not hardy and is sensitive to frost. In order to overwinter it successfully, it should be brought indoors when temperatures are below 5 degrees, cut back and watered regularly. It is also susceptible to whitefly.
How hardy is the plant
The lantana originally thrives in the temperate regions of South America with a mild climate all year round. Therefore, the flowering plant never had to adapt to frosty weather conditions and is quite sensitive to cold. Temperatures below five degrees put such a strain on the small bush that it can even die. For this reason, the lantana does not have to be winter-proof and has to spend the winter in the house, which is completely easy to do.
This means you can enjoy the ever-growing plant for many years. Lantanas grown as standard stems develop a really stable trunk over time and the crown becomes more beautiful and expansive from year to year. Bushy lantanas develop into richly flowering small shrubs that look extremely attractive.
Winter properly
- Bring your lantana into the house when temperatures are predicted to fall below five degrees at night.
- Cut the plant back a little and remove anything that has faded.
- Lantana can be overwintered in a cool room or in a warm living room.
- How much needs to be watered depends on where the small shrub is located. Do not allow the root ball to dry out completely.
- Lanta florets that overwinter in cold rooms are not fertilized at all. You can supply warm plants with half the dosage of liquid fertilizer once a month or, if they continue to bloom, every 14 days.
The plant is quite susceptible to whitefly, not only when it is warm over the winter. Therefore, check regularly.
Tip
To stimulate budding, you can keep the lantana a little warmer from February onwards. The non-hardy plant may only be put out again when night frosts are guaranteed to be no longer threatening.