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How to Grow Lantana Patriot Petite Series

Lantana Patriot Petite Series

Lantana camara 'Patriot Petite'

shrub

Lantana Patriot Petite is a compact, dwarf cultivar of lantana bred for container gardening and small spaces. It produces vibrant clustered flowers in red, orange, and yellow tones that bloom prolifically from spring through frost. This heat-loving, drought-tolerant shrub attracts butterflies and hummingbirds while requiring minimal maintenance.

Looking for a specific variety?

Patriot Petite Red Patriot Petite White Patriot Petite Yellow Patriot Petite Bicolor Patriot Petite Flame Patriot Petite Sunshine

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Example Lantana Patriot Petite Series timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Lantana Patriot Petite Series

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Lantana Patriot Petite Series

    Around Jun 1

    ≈ 45 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lantana Patriot Petite Series dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; more sun produces more prolific blooming
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Water: Moderate water once established; drought-tolerant but blooms better with consistent moisture. Water deeply when soil surface dries; reduce watering in winter. Avoid waterlogging.
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Spacing: 18 inches
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Days to maturity: 45-60 days to first flowers from transplant
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Planting depth: Same depth as root ball; plant at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy or sandy soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Perlite for drainage Sand if soil is heavy clay

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 9b-11; grows as annual in cooler zones or treat as houseplant

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Transplant/Establishment

2-3 weeks

Young plant with initial foliage; root system developing

Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) for first 2-3 weeks. Provide full sun. Avoid fertilizing immediately; allow roots to establish first.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops dense, bushy branching; leaves are abundant and lance-shaped

Pinch or lightly prune growing tips to encourage bushier form. Begin monthly balanced fertilizing (10-10-10). Ensure full sun exposure.

3

Flowering

4+ months until frost

Clusters of small flowers appear in characteristic lantana color patterns (red-orange-yellow); flowers are arranged in tight, rounded umbels

Deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage continuous blooming. Water consistently. Feed with balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-5) every 2-3 weeks for maximum blooms.

4

Blooming Peak

2-3 months peak period

Plant reaches mature height (12-18 inches for Patriot Petite) and produces abundant flowers throughout the crown

Continue deadheading. Monitor for spider mites and whiteflies in heat/drought stress. Maintain consistent watering during dry spells. Reduce fertilizing in late season.

5

Decline/Dormancy

Variable; 3-5 months in zones 9-10

Flowering slows after first hard frost; foliage may turn reddish or bronze; plant goes dormant in winter (zones 9-10)

Stop fertilizing. Reduce watering significantly. In warm zones (11), can bloom year-round with minimal care. Prune back by half in spring before new growth emerges.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Salvia Portulaca Zinnias Verbena Angelita daisy Esperanza Desert rose Pentas Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Moisture-loving plants (hydrangeas, hostas) Plants requiring afternoon shade in hot climates Water-intensive perennials

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs; isolate affected plants

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide or neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves

  • Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove affected leaves; improve air circulation

  • Isolate plant; remove by hand or cotton swab with alcohol; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap

  • Prune out heavily infested branches; apply horticultural oil; treat with insecticidal soap

Uses

🦋

Butterfly & Hummingbird Magnet

Wildlife

Lantana's clustered flowers are highly attractive to Monarch butterflies, swallowtails, and ruby-throated hummingbirds. It serves as an excellent nectar source and is often used in pollinator gardens and wildlife corridors. [source]

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Ornamental Container & Landscape Accent

Craft

The compact Patriot Petite cultivar is ideal for pots, hanging baskets, mixed containers, and small garden spaces. Its vibrant multicolored blooms provide season-long color with minimal care. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

In traditional medicine systems, lantana leaves have been used to treat wounds, fever, and respiratory issues. Modern research has identified antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds in the plant. [source]

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Heat & Drought Tolerance

Household

Lantana Patriot Petite is exceptionally tough, thriving in extreme heat, poor soil, and drought conditions once established. It reduces landscape watering needs and is ideal for water-wise or xeriscaping designs. [source]

🍳

Flowers for Garnish

Culinary

The small individual florets of lantana are occasionally used as edible garnish in gourmet cuisine and specialty cocktails, adding visual appeal and a slight citrusy flavor. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Lantana is ornamental; flowers do not require harvesting but deadheading spent clusters encourages continuous blooming. Remove flowers at the base of the cluster when they fade to brown. Pinch young plants early in the season to shape and encourage bushiness. Seeds develop in berry-like drupes after flowering; remove if you wish to prevent self-seeding.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Lantana camara is native to the tropical Americas and is considered one of the world's 100 worst invasive species in non-native regions due to its vigor and prolific seeding.
  • 🌱 The name 'Lantana' may derive from the Latin word for 'to shine,' referencing the glossy appearance of the flower clusters.
  • 🌱 Lantana flowers typically begin in one color and shift to another as they age (e.g., red to orange to yellow), creating a multicolored effect within a single cluster—a phenomenon called color change or color switching.

Gardening Terms

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

Crown Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun pH
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