Native to Central America, the Lantana is a total sun-seeker that loves a tropical vibe. Because it’s used to that warm climate, it can struggle a bit when the chilly fall weather hits here in the States. That’s why most of us grow them in pots on the balcony or patio—it makes it much easier to manage. But, of course, container gardening means that sooner or later, you’re going to need to repot.
Watch for those roots
The biggest “help me” sign your Lantana will give you is when the roots start poking out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. When you see that, you know it’s officially outgrown its home and needs a upgrade. It’s a good habit to peek at the bottom of your pots every once in a while to see what’s going on down there.
Don’t go too big too fast
You might be tempted to save yourself some work by just tossing your Lantana into a massive pot right from the start. Resist the urge! If the pot is too big, the plant will spend all its energy exploring that new soil and building a massive root system instead of giving you those gorgeous flowers we all love. No amount of fertilizer can fix that—it’s just how the plant grows. Stick to a pot that’s just one size up.
How to repot like a pro
Once you’ve decided it’s moving day for your Lantana, here’s the best way to get it done:
- Pick out a new pot that is only *slightly* larger than the current one.
- Make sure there’s a drainage hole (drill one if you have to!).
- Place a piece of a broken terra cotta pot over the hole to keep it from clogging.
- Add a layer of expanded clay pebbles for drainage—this is key to preventing root rot and other diseases.
- Add a little bit of high-quality potting soil on top of that layer.
- Gently place your plant in the center.
- Fill in the gaps with more soil.
- Give it a good drink of water. You’ll want to keep the soil consistently moist, but never soggy.
One last pro-tip: Lantanas are actually toxic if ingested and can irritate the skin, so definitely pop on a pair of gardening gloves before you get started!
