Throughout the gardening season, Lantana flowers put on a spectacular show, often changing colors several times on a single plant. The result is a lush, vibrant look that really makes a statement in any yard. But to keep that display going, you’ve got to stay on top of your plant care—and that means knowing exactly how and when to prune your Lantana.
A Quick Safety Note: Wear Gloves!
Before you grab your shears, there’s one thing you need to know: Lantana is actually toxic to both humans and pets. Every part of the plant contains toxins that can cause skin irritation or rashes just by touching them, and they’re even more dangerous if ingested. Because of this, always wear a sturdy pair of gardening gloves while working. Also, don’t toss your clippings into the compost bin; it’s better to bag them up and put them in the regular trash to keep your compost safe.
Post-Winter Pruning
Since Lantana is native to the tropical regions of Central America, it’s not frost-hardy. Most of us have to overwinter them indoors in a cool spot. You can move your plant back outside once temperatures stay consistently above 40°F (5°C). Before you do, give it a heavy “maintenance cut.” This is crucial because Lantana only produces flower buds on fresh, new growth. Don’t be shy—cut the stems back by at least half their length to encourage a bushy, bloom-heavy plant.
Propagating with Cuttings
Don’t let those spring clippings go to waste! You can easily use them to propagate new plants. Look for healthy stems and cut them into sections that have two or three pairs of leaves. Dip the ends in some rooting hormone and pop them into pots filled with seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist, and you should see new roots developing in about two to three weeks.
Regular Maintenance
Once the season is in full swing, the best thing you can do is deadhead. By removing faded flowers quickly, you prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed production. Instead, the Lantana will funnel all that power into creating a brand-new flush of gorgeous blooms.
To wrap it up, here’s your Lantana pruning checklist:
- Give it a heavy cut-back in early spring.
- Save your spring clippings to grow new cuttings.
- Deadhead faded flowers regularly throughout the summer.
