The Lantana is very rarely found as a bedding plant in our latitudes. In most cases it is cultivated in a pot or tub on the balcony or terrace. The reason for this is that the pretty flower is unfortunately not winter-proof and is quite sensitive to frost.
Lantana must be brought in before the first frost
How hardy is the plant?
Originally, the lantana thrives in the temperate regions of South America with a mild climate all year round. Therefore, the flowering plant never had to adapt to frosty weather conditions and is quite sensitive to cold. Temperatures below five degrees affect the small bush so much that it can even die. For this reason, the lantana must necessarily spend the winter indoors, which is completely uncomplicated.
This allows you to enjoy the ever-growing plant for many years. Lantana grown as standard stems get a really stable trunk over time and the crown becomes more beautiful and expansive from year to year. Bushy-growing lantana develop into richly flowering small shrubs that look extremely attractive.
Properly hibernate
- Bring your lantana into the house when temperatures below five degrees are announced at night.
- Cut back the plant a little and remove any faded flowers.
- Lantana can be overwintered in a cool room but also in a warm living room.
- How much has to be watered depends on where the small shrub is. Don't let the root ball dry out completely.
- Lantana that hibernate in cold rooms are not fertilized at all. You can supply warm plants with half the dosage of a liquid fertilizer once a month or, if they continue to flower, every 14 days.
The plant is quite susceptible to the whitefly, and not only during warm hibernation. Therefore check regularly.
tips
To stimulate budding, you can place the lantana a little warmer from February. The non-hardy plant may only be put outside again when it is guaranteed that there is no longer any threat of night frost.