How to Grow Lantana 'Multi Coloured'

Lantana 'Multi Coloured'

Lantana camara 'Multi Coloured'

shrub

Lantana 'Multi Coloured' is a vibrant, heat-loving tropical shrub prized for its dense clusters of small flowers that bloom in multiple colors simultaneously, typically progressing through pink, orange, yellow, and red hues. The blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds throughout the growing season. This variety is extremely drought-tolerant once established and thrives in warm climates with minimal maintenance.

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Example Lantana 'Multi Coloured' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Lantana 'Multi Coloured'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Lantana 'Multi Coloured'
Around Jul 16

≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lantana 'Multi Coloured' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade but blooms less prolifically

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Water: Low water needs once established; water regularly during first growing season to establish deep roots, then water during dry spells. Drought-tolerant but flowers more prolifically with moderate moisture. Avoid waterlogging.

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Spacing: 36-48 inches between plants inches

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Days to maturity: 90-120 days to first significant blooms

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Planting depth: Same depth as root ball; set at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil

pH: 5.5-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss Perlite or sand for drainage improvement

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 9b-11; in cooler zones 8-9 may die back in winter but often regrows from roots

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Establishment

4-6 weeks

Young transplant with minimal branching and slow initial growth; leaves are small and growth appears sparse

Water consistently to establish strong root system; avoid fertilizing until well-rooted; provide sheltered location if in cooler zone

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Plant develops bushy, compact form with increasingly dense foliage; stems branch prolifically from main trunk

Prune lightly to encourage branching and fuller shape; reduce watering as roots establish; begin light fertilizing every 4-6 weeks

Flowering Initiation

2-3 weeks

First flower buds appear at branch tips; small dense clusters form with characteristic multicolored florets

Maintain moderate moisture; continue balanced fertilizing; deadhead spent flower clusters to promote continuous blooming

Peak Blooming

8-12 weeks (or longer in ideal conditions)

Plant covered in abundant flower clusters that continuously display multiple color transitions; flowers progress from pink/orange to yellow/red throughout bloom

Deadhead regularly for sustained flowering; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage blooms over foliage; water during extended dry periods

Late Season/Winter Dormancy

Variable depending on climate

Flowering slows as temperatures cool; foliage may drop in cooler zones; plant enters dormant state

Reduce watering in dormant period; withhold fertilizer; prune back in spring before new growth emerges; in zones 8-9, mulch heavily to protect roots

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Salvia Coreopsis Sedum Esperanza Desert rose Duranta Black-eyed Susan Zinnia Rosemary

Avoid planting near:

Water-loving plants Shade-preferring plants Moisture-loving perennials

Common Pests

Spray with neem oil or horticultural soap; encourage natural predators; remove heavily infested leaves
Increase humidity with water spray; apply miticide or neem oil; improve air circulation
Spray neem oil on leaf undersides; apply insecticidal soap; remove severely damaged foliage
Prune out heavily infested branches; apply horticultural oil spray; monitor regularly
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove infested growth; isolate severely affected plants

Uses

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Herbal Tea & Traditional Medicine

Culinary

Lantana leaves and flowers have been used in traditional medicine in tropical regions to make herbal teas believed to support immune and digestive health. The plant contains various phytochemicals with potential anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

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Pollinator Magnet

Wildlife

The abundant, continuously-blooming flower clusters are irresistible to butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, making it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens. A single plant can attract dozens of butterfly species throughout the season. [source]

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Ornamental Landscape

Household

With its vibrant multicolored blooms and compact growth habit, Lantana 'Multi Coloured' serves as a stunning focal point in borders, containers, and xeriscape gardens. The foliage is attractive even when not in bloom. [source]

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Anti-inflammatory Traditional Use

Medicinal

In Central and South America, lantana has been traditionally used in folk medicine to prepare poultices and infusions for wound healing and inflammatory conditions. Modern research is exploring its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds. [source]

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Cut Flower Arrangements

Craft

The colorful, long-lasting flower clusters make excellent additions to fresh or dried flower arrangements and bouquets. Lantana flowers retain color well when dried. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Not typically harvested as a crop plant. Enjoy blooms on the plant for maximum garden color and pollinator attraction. If desired for cut flowers, harvest in early morning when blooms first open, cutting above a leaf node to encourage further branching.

Fun Facts

🌱 The 'Multi Coloured' variety is named for its unique characteristic of displaying multiple colors simultaneously on the same flower cluster—individual florets change color as they age, creating a stunning ombré effect that progresses from warm pinks and oranges to bright yellows and reds.
🌱 Lantana is native to tropical Americas and Africa, and it thrives in heat that many other plants find stressful, making it invaluable for hot, dry garden regions and climate-challenged landscapes.
🌱 Lantana is so drought-tolerant and adaptable that it has become naturalized in many warm regions worldwide; in some areas like Hawaii and Australia it's considered invasive due to its vigorous growth and copious seed production.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Transplant

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