Why is lantana a problem?
Lantana camara is dangerous because it increases human-wildlife conflict. The decline of native fauna has forced some animals like wild pigs to migrate.
Is Lantana poisonous to touch? Yes, the leaves of the lantana plant can cause skin irritation.
Many plants are aggressive, but Lantana camara (also called Lantana strigocamara) is a Category 1 invasive plant pest, meaning it's invading native areas, displacing native plants, and hybridizing with related native plants — and it's been here and in many parts of the world a long time.
Lantana camara is known to be toxic to livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, dogs and goats. The active substances causing toxicity in grazing animals are pentacyclic triterpenoids called Lantadenes, which result in liver damage and photosensitivity.
For single-stemmed lantana, basal bark spraying and cut-stump methods also give good results at any time of year (but best when the plant is actively growing). On multi-stemmed varieties, obtain best results by carefully applying herbicide to each stem.
You can safely remove up to one-third of a lantana plant's overall size at any one pruning. In areas where lantana is winter hardy but dies to the ground, pruning lantana stems in spring is vital to maintaining plant health. Cut stems back to 6 or 12 inches tall.
Lantana (Lantana camara) All parts of this invasive shrub are poisonous, especially the leaves and green berries. This plant can be fatal to children, dogs and horses.
Lantana. A favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds alike, lantana offers colorful red, yellow, orange, pink, lavender, or white flowers. These heat-loving, drought-resistant plants will fit well in sunny spots in your garden.
How long do lantana plants live? Frost kills lantanas, but they grow as tender perennials in warm areas where they typically live for two to five years. With excellent care, they can live up to 10 years.
Lantana is tolerant of all soil types provided they are well drained and slightly acid. Lantana is tolerant to salt and is an excellent choice for plantings near the beach. Lantana prefers warm soil. Plant lantana in spring, at least 2 weeks after all danger of frost is past.
Is lantana good for anything?
Lantanas are popular with hummingbirds and butterflies. The nectar of the flowers is good for birds, bees, and butterflies, so lantana plants are helpful as pollinators.
The repellent effect of Lantana camara flowers was evaluated against Aedes mosquitoes. Lantana flower extract in coconut oil provided 94.5% protection from Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti. The mean protection time was 1.9 h.
Aids process of cross pollination: Lantana flowers attracts a wide variety of butterflies, bees and even humming birds. They are the staple for these pollinating agents. Growing Lantana in the garden can benefit other plants in flowering as it aids the process of cross pollination.
Lantana works well planted in beds, but it's best to display them in high-use areas where they can be disturbed. When rubbed or crushed, lantana leaves and flowers give off a strong citronella scent, increasing its ability to deter mosquitos.
Grub out roots with a mattock or hoe, then roll and haul the stems and roots away. Remove the roots and stems or the lantana will regrow. Bulldozing or slashing can remove large bushes, and help access through infestations.
Lantana plants are moderately winter hardy. Some people have lantana that are perennial in nature and come back every year, while others replant every season.
Overgrown plants can be pruned back to about a third of their height (and spread if necessary). You can also lightly trim lantana plants periodically throughout the season to stimulate new growth and encourage flowering. This is usually done by trimming lantana tips back about one to three inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm.).
You could try spraying with vinegar (at least 5% acidity) on a hot day. Or, something that, incredibly, works quite well if you don't have any other desirable plants (or their roots) growing near the lantana, is boiling water. Just pour boiling water directly onto the base of the plant and it cooks the roots to death.
The plants should be deadheaded to encourage continuous bloom. You can clip the individual faded flowers, or trim the whole plant with hedge clippers. Lantana is a good choice for hot, dry areas. Lantana can be grown from seed or cuttings.
The initial symptoms of lantana poisoning, weakness and appetite loss, are evident within the first 24 hours of consumption. More serious symptoms will begin to develop over the next several days, such as bloody diarrhea, paralysis, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) from damage to the liver.
Do any animals eat lantana?
Young animals are most at risk. Stock bred in lantana-infested country tend to avoid it unless forced to eat it through lack of adequate food. Species affected by lantana poisoning include cattle, sheep, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits.
All forms of lantana are thought to be toxic, with the red-flowered forms being the most dangerous to stock.
Brightly-colored flowers that are tubular tend to produce the most nectar, and are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. These include perennials such as bee balms, columbines, daylilies, and lupines; biennials such as foxgloves and hollyhocks; and many annuals, including cleomes, impatiens, and petunias.
Several species of aphids feed on lantana. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects about 1⁄25 to 1⁄8 inch long with relatively short legs and antennae.
Lantana is a must-have for creating a pollinator haven. These plants are REALLY attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds on so many levels: sweet nectar for food, attractive scent, bright color, and the overall flower form (it's a literal landing pad!).
Lantana is a tough-as-nails plant with bright flowers all summer long. Pollinators adore it, but deer don't like its somewhat prickly texture.
The cheerful flower clusters—in a rainbow of single and multi-hues—bloom nonstop from late spring through frost, and nearly year-round in warmer climates.
Sun exposure: Lantana like bright sunlight for at least six hours per day in order to maintain their profuse flowers. However, although you can grow them in full sun, they appreciate a bit of afternoon shade so try to plant them in places where they will get a few hours of part sun.
Some gardeners say rabbits love to dine on their lantana, but others report that they avoid the plants because of the leaves' pungent aroma. The foliage and ripe berries are also known to contain a toxin that can affect many animals. Butterflies and hummingbirds, on the other hand, love the tubular flowers.
Newly planted Lantana will require regular watering to promote healthy root development. Once established, this plant requires little maintenance and is considered drought tolerant. Typically, one inch of water each week will keep the plant happy.
What pairs well with lantana?
Lantana works well as a stand alone plant, but it can also be paired with other flowers that enjoy the sun and attract butterflies for enchanting butterfly garden arrangements. Pair Lantana with sun loving varieties of Salvia, Pentas, and Angelonia.
The hairs on the leaves can cause contact dermatitis (usually minor skin irritation) in some people. The berries are poisonous to people and animals.
The hairs on the leaves can cause contact dermatitis and minor skin irritation.
The foliage of lantanas has a distinct, pungent aroma and should be handled with care as the leaves can cause a rash. Unripe berries of the plant are mildly toxic and should be kept away from children and pets.
The Lantana Camara is a flowering plant that can attract butterflies and hummingbirds while giving off a mosquito-repelling scent. These insect-repelling plants thrive in sunny locations such as backyard gardens or south-facing windowsills.
The symptoms of lantana poisoning vary from person to person and animal to animal and also depend on the amount of plant material consumed so getting professional help is critical. The most common sign is gastrointestinal pain and nausea.
Apply wet compresses, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream to the skin to reduce itching and blistering. Follow the directions on any creams and lotions. Do not apply to broken skin, such as open blisters.
How long does a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac last? Previous rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac: The rash tends to last 1 to 14 days before it clears on its own.
Probably the most common insect pests found on lantana are lacebugs. Populations of this pest generally do not build up until temperatures climb to near 90 degrees F. Lacebugs are broad, flattened, rectangular and small, about 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch long. Their bodies are usually brown to black.
Symptoms: Fatalities have been reported when berries were eaten. Symptoms are delayed several hours and may include vomiting, diarrhoea, laboured breathing, dilated pupils, lethargy and weakness. Respiratory irritation has been reported by workers clearing Lantana sites.
What bugs does lantana repel?
The repellent effect of Lantana camara flowers was evaluated against Aedes mosquitoes. Lantana flower extract in coconut oil provided 94.5% protection from Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti. The mean protection time was 1.9 h.
Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away?