Lantana – Luscious^® Grape

"A Real Simple magazine - Top 10 goofproof Plant"

Features

"A Real Simple magazine - Top 10 goofproof Plant"

Attracts: Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Award Winner

Dead-Heading Not Necessary

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant Foliage

Heat Tolerant

Long Blooming

Maintenance Notes

If you are looking for a tough plant it's hard to beat lantana. Lantana are heat tolerant, use little to no supplemental water in the landscape, will tolerate less than ideal soils and usually don't need to be deadheaded. If you are looking for a plant that will thrive on neglect, lantana is the champ. Lantana come in many shapes, sizes and habits. Check size and habit information for the specific variety you are choosing to make sure it fits your needs. Lantana can be trimmed back at anytime to shape or to promote increased branching.

In many parts of the US and Canada lantana function as an annual. In reality they are a tender perennial, in warm winter climates they become flowering shrubs.

If you live in an area where Lantana is perennial they are essentially trouble free, they can be pruned at any time of year and usually benefit with a harder shape-up pruning in early spring after last frost date. Midsummer fertilization can help overcome any slow down in growth during the dog days of summer and help bring even more flowers.

According to the Humane Society of America Lantana leaves can be toxic to pets. This means that the plants are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction.

Lantana seed set varies considerably. If you see a lot of berries developing you may want to deadhead the plants to help with continuous blooming. If there is low berry set, deadheading shouldn't be necessary for continuous bloom. Some varieties are self-cleaning.

An application of fertilizer or compost on garden beds and regular fertilization of plants in pots will help ensure the best possible performance.

Uses Notes

Use in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes and landscapes.

Maintenance Category Easy

Water Category Average

Bloom Time

Flower Form Container, Landscape, Mass Planting

Soil Fertility Average Soil

pH B - pH 5.8 - 6.2

EC (2:1 Extraction Method) 0.6 - 1.5

Fertilization 150 - 200

Light Requirements High

Water Requirements Moderate to Moist

Rooting Out Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit

Growing On Temperature 70 - 75° Fahrenheit

Holding Temperature 50 - 60° Fahrenheit

Planting and Timing Information

Later Spring to Summer sales. Standard PPP.

Finishing Times [weeks]
4-5" and Quart Pot : 6-8
6" and Gallon Pot : 7-9
7-9" Pot : 9-11
10-12" and Two Gallon Pot : 11-13

Pinching and Growth Regulators

For all sizes of containers, pinch the liner 1–2 weeks after transplant; for containers larger than 6” and for hanging baskets, trim around the edge of the container as needed prior to spacing or hanging of the baskets. PGRs should not be needed.

Pest and Disease Management

General pest and disease practices as listed in notes. Scout for white flies and treat as needed.

Grower Tips

-Use caution when using Florel, leaf drop can occur.
-Warm, bright growing conditions are optimum. Where early spring conditions do not allow production under these parameters consider growing lantana for late spring to summer sales.
-Crop time can be reduced by using additional liners in each pot.
-Crop time for Luscious Grape is about 2 weeks longer than other Lantana.
-Cold and wet growing conditions can double the crop time.

-If the stems of Luscious Grape appear dark purple to black in color this is a reaction to cold temperatures and high light and will not harm the plant.