How to grow Lantana seeds? A detailed guide to the latest planting methods

Lantana is also known as Shrub Verbena, Mountain Verbena, Large Red Hydrangea, Coral Ball, and so on. It is an evergreen shrub of the genus Lantana in the verbena family. A single flower cluster often shows changes of multiple colors, so it is also called Lantana, Five-color Flower, and so on. At the same time, its branches and leaves contain a special pungent odor, so it also has aliases such as Stinkweed and Stink Golden Phoenix. Now let us take a look at how to grow Lantana seeds!

Seed collection

The fruit of Lantana is a round spherical berry, purple-black when ripe. Usually after the fruit ripens, it is picked and piled for composting, soaked in water and rubbed to remove the flesh, and the seeds are then obtained. Note that Lantana seeds should not be allowed to lose water. They can be collected in autumn and sown immediately, or stored mixed with sand and sown again in spring.

Sowing method

Lantana can be sown in pots in late autumn under high humidity and warm conditions, or sown in spring. In South China, seedlings grown from seed can be used to plant flower beds, and flowers can be seen as early as September of that year. After the fruit ripens, it is picked and piled for composting, soaked in water and rubbed to remove the flesh, and the seeds are then obtained. Seeds should not be allowed to lose water. They can be collected in autumn and sown immediately, or stored mixed with sand and sown again in spring. After sowing, the temperature during the germination stage should be kept above 20°C. The germination rate is about 60%, and seedlings sown in the south can bloom in autumn of the same year.

Growing management

1. Fertilizer and water: For potted plants, loose and fertile sandy loam is suitable, but the requirements are not strict. During the growing period, apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 10 days. At the same time, combined with watering, spray 3% urea twice every 10 days, which can make the leaves thicker and greener. When planting, apply organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer. Water initially to promote growth. Once the plants survive and grow vigorously, watering can be reduced. In open-field cultivation, bury trailing branches into the soil, and they can gradually spread into a large clump.

2. Sunlight: Lantana prefers a sunny, well-lit environment. During the growing season, it can be placed outdoors in a sunny place for care. Even in midsummer, shading is not necessary, but good ventilation is required. If light is insufficient, the plant will grow leggy, with thin and long stems and branches, and few flowers, seriously affecting its ornamental value.

3. Pruning: Lantana grows quickly. During cultivation, branches and leaves that affect the shape should be pruned in time to keep the tree form attractive. After each flowering, cut back overly long young branches. In late autumn and early winter, before moving the plant indoors, carry out a heavy pruning and appropriately shorten all current-year branches. In winter, move it indoors to a sunny place. If a room temperature above 15°C can be maintained, the plant can grow and bloom normally, and it should be watered, fertilized, and pruned appropriately. If such a high temperature cannot be maintained, reduce watering and stop fertilizing to let the plant go dormant; it can overwinter safely at 8°C or above. Repot once every spring, and prune and shape the plant again, cutting off dead branches, weak branches, and other branches that affect the tree form.