If your lantana looks more leafy than lively, don’t worry—you’re not alone. These sun-loving beauties are known for their clusters of colorful blooms, but sometimes they need a little nudge to truly shine. The good news? A few simple tricks can turn your lantana from blah to breathtaking in no time.
Here’s how to get lantana blooming like wild all season long.
1. Give It Full Sun—No Shade Allowed
Lantana is a true sun-worshipper. If it’s not blooming, it might be begging for more light. Make sure it gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun every day.
Hot tip: Morning sun with afternoon shade won’t cut it. Move your pot or garden placement if it’s getting dappled or filtered light.
2. Don’t Overdo the Water
Believe it or not, too much love in the form of water can backfire. Lantana is drought-tolerant once established, and soggy soil can lead to fewer blooms and root rot.
Watering rule of thumb:
Let the soil dry out between waterings. If the top inch is dry, you’re good to go.
3. Deadhead Regularly to Keep Blooms Coming
Here’s a no-brainer that many folks forget: deadheading. When you snip off spent flowers, the plant stops wasting energy on seed production and gets back to making more blooms.
Pro tip: Use sharp snips and cut just above the next leaf node to encourage fuller growth.
4. Cut It Back to Power It Up
Lantanas respond super well to pruning. In fact, a light trim every few weeks can spark a fresh flush of flowers.
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Trim lanky stems back by a few inches
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Don’t be afraid to shape it if it’s looking leggy
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In early spring, give it a harder prune to reset the plant
5. Feed It Right (But Not Too Much)
Feeding lantana is important—but timing and type matter.
Best fertilizer:
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Low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer (like 5-10-5)
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Use every 4–6 weeks during the growing season
Avoid high-nitrogen formulas—they’ll make the plant lush and leafy, but stingy with flowers.
6. Check for Pests That Stall Growth
If your lantana is healthy but underperforming, check the undersides of leaves for aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites. These pests suck energy from the plant and can stop blooms cold.
Easy pest control:
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Spray with a neem oil solution or insecticidal soap
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Keep air circulation high if growing in containers
7. Use the Right Soil for Container Plants
Growing lantana in pots? Don’t skimp on the soil.
Use a well-draining, slightly sandy mix—not heavy garden soil. Add perlite or coarse sand to lighten it up if needed.
Container tip: Make sure your pot has drainage holes or root rot will come knocking.
8. Give It Room to Breathe
Lantanas don’t like being overcrowded. If you’ve planted them too close together—or let other plants steal the show—they may sulk.
Spacing tips:
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Give each lantana at least 12 to 18 inches of space
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Trim back surrounding plants if they’re shading your lantana
9. Let It Rest in Winter, Then Bounce Back
Lantana may go dormant or look scraggly in cooler months—especially in zones 7 and below. That’s normal.
What to do:
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Cut it back hard in late winter or early spring
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Mulch around the base if it’s in-ground to protect the roots
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Don’t panic—it will bounce back better than ever with warm weather
Final Thoughts: A Blooming Lantana is a Happy Lantana 🌞
Once you dial in the right mix of sun, water, and trimming, your lantana will reward you with wave after wave of bright, pollinator-friendly blooms. Whether you’re planting in pots, borders, or garden beds, these carefree bloomers are easy to please once you know their language.
So go on—give your lantana the love it craves, and watch it bloom like crazy all season long.