Habitat:
Lantana camara is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, but it has been widely introduced and naturalised in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Mediterranean. In its native and naturalised range, it grows in open forests, scrublands, disturbed areas, roadsides, and savannah edges from sea level up to around 1800 metres. It thrives in full sun and is particularly adapted to poor, dry, and degraded soils, making it a highly successful coloniser in disturbed environments.
Description:
Lantana camara is a fast-growing, woody perennial shrub, typically reaching 1–2.5 metres in height but occasionally taller in ideal conditions. The stems are square in cross-section, sometimes armed with short prickles. Leaves are opposite, ovate, 4–9 cm long, with serrated margins, a wrinkled texture, and a strong, pungent scent when crushed. The plant produces small, tubular flowers in dense, rounded umbels 2–4 cm across. Flower colour is highly variable, often starting yellow or orange and maturing to pink, red, or purple within the same inflorescence. This colour change is an adaptation to maximise pollination by visually guiding pollinators. The fruit is a small, glossy black drupe when ripe, often dispersed by birds. While ornamental, the species is toxic to livestock and can be invasive in non-native areas.
Cultivation:
Lantana camara prefers full sun and well-drained soil with moderate fertility. It thrives in warm climates with daytime temperatures between 22–30°C and nighttime temperatures not below 10°C. It is drought-tolerant once established but flowers best with regular watering during dry periods. The ideal pH range is neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.0). Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Fertilize sparingly—excessive feeding can reduce flowering. In temperate zones, it may be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors. It is resistant to pests and thrives in poor soils but requires management to prevent unwanted spread in sensitive ecosystems.
Specifications:
Plant Size: fifteen centimetre parts, 30 cm tall
Plant Family: Verbenaceae
Plant Passport: Lantana camara B 140084 C [user input] D GB