Lantana camara – Lantana

Explore Lantana camara (Lantana) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Lantana camara | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: Lantana, Wild Sage, Spanish Flag, Shrub Verbena

Family: Verbenaceae

Appearance: A perennial shrub with square stems, rough-textured leaves, and clusters of brightly colored flowers that change hues as they age, ranging from yellow and orange to pink and red. The plant forms dense thickets and produces small green berries that turn black when ripe.

Type: Perennial

Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free climates, deciduous in cooler regions

Layer: Shrub layer

Root System: Deep and fibrous with suckering ability, allowing it to form dense stands

Height: 0.5–2 m

Width: 1–3 m

Lifespan: Perennial, long-lived under favorable conditions

Growth Rate: Fast

Fertility: Self-fertile

Flowers: Hermaphroditic

Pollinator: Butterflies, bees, and other insects

Toxicity: Leaves and green fruits are toxic to humans and livestock if ingested; may cause dermatitis on contact

Lantana camara | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

• Native Range: Tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America

• Companionship: Can be paired with other drought-tolerant plants in controlled landscapes

• Invasive Range: Can be highly invasive in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 8–11

• Minimum Chill Hours Required: None

Resistance/Tolerance

• Poor Soil: High tolerance – grows in poor, sandy, or rocky soils

• Drought: High tolerance once established

• Shade: Moderate tolerance – flowers best in full sun

• Flood: Low tolerance – dislikes prolonged waterlogging

• Wind: High tolerance

• Maritime: Moderate tolerance

• Air Pollution: High tolerance

• Fire: Moderate tolerance – can resprout after fire

Thriving Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

• Soil Moisture: Low to moderate – prefers well-drained soils

• Soil Type: Adapts to sandy, loamy, or rocky soils

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.5)

Propagation

• Seeds: Reproduces easily from seed dispersed by birds and animals

• Cuttings: Commonly propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings for ornamental use

Lantana camara | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: Not edible – fruits and leaves toxic if consumed

Medicinal: Used in traditional medicine for treating skin ailments, fevers, and respiratory issues; contains lantadenes with antimicrobial properties (use with caution due to toxicity)

Cosmetics: Occasionally used in natural remedies for skin care and insect repellents

Animal Feed: Not suitable – toxic to livestock and wildlife

Fiber: Not used

Timber: Not applicable

Firewood: Can be used as firewood where abundant, though low yield

Wind Break: Can serve as a low hedge or wind barrier in dry climates

Fence: Yes – can be pruned into dense, thorny hedges for living fences

Cover Crop: No

Mulch: No

Nitrogen Fixer: No

Dynamic Accumulator: No confirmed data

Pollinator Attractor: Yes – highly attractive to butterflies and bees

Pest Repellent: Leaves may deter insects due to aromatic oils

Wildlife Supporter: Provides nectar for pollinators and shelter for small birds; berries consumed by birds aiding seed dispersal

Sign up for our newsletter or connect with us on social media to stay up-to-date with our latest posts and permaculture inspiration.

Explore our inspiring series and posts:

• Foundation

• Manual 

• Perspective 

• Design 

• Reads

• Plants

• Soil

• Climate

Love the post? Share it with your circle, inspire your people: