Lantana camara is a flowering plant that can be found in many public gardens, green walls and spaces dedicated to decoration. It is a shrub that is used to make hedges, green walls at the boundaries of farms and is very resistant to suffocating heat and has a great capacity to be able to place it in places without problems of soil salinity or affected by pests and diseases. However, many people wonder about the lantana camera care.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you everything you need to know about Lantana camara care, its characteristics and much more.
Contents
main Features
Bright, sun-loving and a prolific flower producer, the Lantana camara plant will adorn any landscape with its rich color. Gradually, it has been introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant in the tropics and subtropics.
These verbena-like flowers are prized for their long blooms. There is diversity among its species, the available varieties offer a wide range of colors from red, yellow, white, orange, pink to lilac.
Depending on the region and type of planting, these plants may be considered annuals or perennials. Planted in the garden or in containers, they are a great option for gardeners who want to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Know its main uses since you will find basically two types of breeds:
- vertical growthin the form of shrubs or trees, up to 2 meters in height, look great in pots or containers on terraces, patios or entrances.
- creeping growthit is mainly suitable as a ground cover, garden plants or hanging baskets.
It can be used for large scale plantings to enhance landscapes, mixed with other perennials, as a garden path border, container or hanging basket, and anywhere summer calls for color.
Plantation of Lantana camara
Growing it in the garden is a great way to add color and interest. Just choose a sunny location and plant in well-drained soil. Although they can tolerate many soil conditions, they do best in slightly acidic soils.
They are best planted in the spring, after the threat of cold weather has passed. Remember that they prefer warmer temperatures for proper development; Although it may be slow, once you take your time it will go a long way. Once you decide to have a Lantana camara, you should consider taking care of its spread cut. For this you need:
- Cut about 15 cm. It should have a healthy appearance and fresh growth.
- Remove the lower leaves and dip them in rooting hormone.
- Insert it in the bottom of a pot with at least 6 cm of composted soil.
- Cover the cutting with a plastic bag or an upside-down clear plastic bottle, as if you were making a mini greenhouse.
- Keep the cut moist and, once established, can be transplanted into a larger pot.
On the other hand, if you want to establish this species in your personal garden by transplanting, you must know some details that will help you to ensure that the planting and development process takes place in perfect conditions. Start with:
- Find a well-drained area: To determine if it has good drainage, check to see if it is completely dry four to six hours after rain.
- Prepare the ground: start by digging deep and adding some compost to enrich the soil and improve drainage. Even consider adding slow-release fertilizers.
- Dig a hole as deep as your plant: Make sure the hole is a little deeper and twice as wide as the cut. Put it in the hole with the ground and lightly press it with your hand.
- Mulch holes: mix the rest of the soil with compost and cover the plantings.
Once you’ve done that, give it plenty of water and keep watering it twice a week until it’s fully established. Again, if you don’t have a healthy cutting, you can plant from seed. Keep in mind that they can take several weeks to germinate. All you need to do is take a container, add some compost soil and introduce the seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Lantana Camera Care
Cultivation and care are not complicated. When newly planted, they require frequent watering and, once established, they are low maintenance and tolerate even the driest conditions.
General care includes:
- Water once a week to keep them active.
- Fertilize each spring, being careful not to overdo it, as this will inhibit its overall flowering.
- To stimulate flower buds, trim the tips periodically.
- Prune in the spring.
- It grows in bright light with at least 3 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Plagues and diseases
Few pests and diseases attack them, and you will find them among the most insect-resistant species. However, a large number of parasites can affect it. Early detection and timely identification of these will speed up the process of treatment and recovery.
- powdery mildew: It happens when you don’t get enough natural light.
- Root rot: This happens if the soil is too wet.
- Sooty mold: It blackens some leaves, which is attributed to pests such as whiteflies.
Other common pests that affect Lantana camara are lace bugs, such as bed bugs, which cause the leaves to turn gray or brown and then dry out.
Some advice on the maintenance of the Lantana camara
Mastering their care is not difficult. It grows all year round once you understand it works well in any bright, sunny garden. It will continue to bloom and will require occasional minor adjustments.
For everything to work properly with the Lantana camera, consider our tips and recommendations that we share below:
- Keep the rooting medium slightly moist.
- During active growth, water as often as possible.
- Keep it in full sun all year round or it won’t flower.
- Apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the care of the Lantana camara and its characteristics.