When the Lantana is in full bloom, its flowers often show off several colors at once. It’s no wonder that despite being quite toxic, this plant has a huge fan base among home gardeners. That’s why it’s so frustrating when your Lantana just refuses to sprout or bloom.
First things first: Be patient
The Lantana has a seriously long blooming season, stretching from June all the way into October. Because the plant spends so much energy pumping out constant flowers for months, it sometimes takes its sweet time getting started in the spring. If you’re worried, there’s an easy way to check if your plant is still healthy: just gently scratch a stem with your fingernail. If you see green underneath or a bit of moisture, the plant is alive and well—it’s likely just a matter of time before those first buds appear.
Check your winter storage conditions
If your Lantana isn’t blooming, it often comes down to how it spent the winter. To recharge its batteries for the next season, it needs the right environment during its “nap.” It doesn’t actually matter if the room is bright or dark, but the temperature is key: keep it consistently between 40°F and 50°F (5 to 10°C). You also want to make sure the root ball doesn’t completely dry out. And here’s a pro tip for your winter care routine: give it a little fertilizer about once a month to keep it going.
Give it a hard prune
One of the most important steps is giving your Lantana a major haircut in the spring before moving it back outside. Lantanas only produce new flowers on fresh, young growth. When you’re ready to prune, keep these tips in mind:
- Cut the stems back by at least half their length.
- Always wear gloves! Every part of this plant is toxic, and you want to avoid skin irritation.
- For the same reason, don’t toss your clippings in the compost pile. It’s better to bag them up and put them in the regular trash.
