Lantana are at the top of the list of frost-sensitive potted plants. Tropical lantanas want to go somewhere warm early in autumn. Optimal location qualities, exemplary care and proper winterization release Lantana from the difficult winter period in top shape. Don't miss these winter tips.
How can you overwinter lantana successfully?
To preserve lantana in winter, clear the plants before the first frost, cut them back and choose a bright, temperate location with temperatures around 8° Celsius. Water sparingly in winter, do not fertilize and slowly prepare for the new garden season from February.
Putting away and cutting lantana
Prologue for overwintering Lantana is timely clearing and moderate pruning. How to do it right:
- Wintering: before the first frost, at the latest when nighttime temperatures are between 5° and 10° Celsius
- Pruning: cut back branches by half in summer
- Cleaning: remove wilted flowers and dried leaves
A slight pruning will help the overwintering process. Because lantana will definitely shed its leaves, you can remove the leaves before putting them away.
Optimal: Overwinter lantana in a light/tempered environment
The light and temperature conditions determine the condition in which a lantana emerges from winter. The summer sun worshiper cannot deny her preference for lots of light. In order for lantanas to cope with the lack of light in winter, cool temperatures are important. How to overwinter Lantana successfully:
- Lighting conditions: bright with ideal lux value 1000 lx, not full sun
- Temperatures: around 8° Celsius (minimum 5° C, maximum 12° C)
The following winter quarters for lantana are available: frost-free greenhouse, temperature-controlled winter garden, glazed terrace and overwintering tent with frost monitor. In all cases, shading should be provided to protect Lantana from direct sunlight during winter dormancy. In this regard, many evergreen, tropical terrace plants agree that they want to overwinter he althily in our latitudes.
Suboptimal: Overwinter lantana in a dark/cool place
Lantanas demonstrate forgiving flexibility when no bright, temperature-controlled rooms are available. If necessary, the exotic ornamental trees will tolerate a low-light winter location if the temperature is right. This is how lantana overwinter in the cellar:
- Lighting conditions: shady to dark
- Temperatures: constant at 5° to 8° Celsius
A location on the cold cellar floor poses the risk of cold feet for the already stressed lantana. Please place the pot on a block of wood or an upside down bucket filled with straw to prevent cold from creeping into the root ball from below.
Lantana in winter – care tips
After putting away, please stop supplying nutrients. From the end of February at the earliest, fertilize Lantana at half concentration until it is cleared out. Water lantana sparingly and in small sips in winter. It is desirable to have even, light soil moisture without waterlogging. As a practical tool, we recommend a watering indicator (€4.00 on Amazon), which you simply insert into the substrate. Spray the branches occasionally with room temperature water.
Wintering out Lantana
Lantana's strict winter rest ends in February. Now lantanas receive their central shape and thinning cut. Then repot the plants into fresh substrate. At the bright, warm window seat, the tropical beauties await the new season with fresh courage.
A two-week hardening off phase prepares Lantana perfectly for the strong spring sun. From the beginning of May until after the Ice Saints, place lantana in a pot in a partially shaded location on the balcony or terrace during the day.
Tip
Lantana have an aversion to hard, calcareous water at any time of the year. Always water and spray your lantanas with collected rainwater, even in winter quarters.
