Lantana are quite robust and do not require too much care. Nevertheless, these pretty balcony flowers can also get plant diseases that need to be recognized and combated in good time.
Diseased plant parts should be removed as soon as possible
root rot
Lantana are very sensitive to waterlogging. This fungal disease causes root tissue decay from the root collar. The plant begins to wither and die because the supply of nutrients is no longer guaranteed.
prevention
- Place a drainage layer of expanded clay (€19.73) in the planter.
- Mix substrate with some sand or cactus soil.
- Water only when the top inches of soil feel dry.
treatment
- Unpot the plant and carefully remove any damaged roots so as not to damage the still healthy root mass.
- Repot the flowering plant as described above.
However, this treatment does not always bring the desired success, since the lantana is often so badly damaged that it does not survive.
Powdery mildew or downy mildew
In contrast to many other plants, the lantana is rarely attacked by powdery mildew. If this occurs, regardless of whether it is powdery mildew or downy mildew, consistent action is required.
treatment
- Spraying with horsetail broth helps very well with light infestations.
- Treatment with milk or whey not only fights the disease but also helps the plant to develop resistance to the fungus.
- Chemical preparations can be used if the mildew infestation is very severe.
sooty mold
This fungal disease often occurs when aphids have settled on the lantana. They form a brown-black fungus layer on the honeydew that the animals excrete.
treatment
- Wipe off the fungus with a rag soaked in soapy water.
- Fight aphids consistently so that the sooty mold does not spread again.
tips
Check the plant for diseases and pests at least once a week. This allows you to recognize them early on, so that treatment with chemicals is not necessary in most cases.