How to Grow Lantana 'Indigo Blue'
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Lantana 'Indigo Blue'
Lantana horrida 'Indigo Blue'
shrubLantana 'Indigo Blue' is a vibrant ornamental shrub known for its striking clusters of small flowers that transition from deep indigo-blue to purple tones as they mature. This tropical to subtropical plant produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It's a heat and drought-tolerant shrub that adds bold color and wildlife value to gardens.
When should you plant Lantana 'Indigo Blue' in your zone?
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Example Lantana 'Indigo Blue' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lantana 'Indigo Blue'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Lantana 'Indigo Blue'
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lantana 'Indigo Blue' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8b-11; grown as an annual or tender perennial in zones 8a and cooler
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Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung transplants developing root systems and initial foliage growth; plant is small with minimal branching.
Water regularly to establish roots. Provide consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Protect from extreme heat initially.
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksPlant rapidly produces stems and leaves; bushy growth pattern develops with increasing branching.
Pinch back tips early to encourage bushiness and fuller form. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Increase spacing if crowded.
Flowering Initiation
2-3 weeksFlower buds begin forming at branch tips; first flower clusters appear in characteristic rounded umbel formations.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage blooms. Maintain consistent watering. Remove any dead or diseased branches.
Peak Blooming
8-12 weeks (extended with deadheading)Abundant flower clusters cover the plant; individual florets open gradually, creating color shifts from indigo-blue to purple within each cluster.
Deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage continuous blooming. Water deeply during dry spells. Apply low-nitrogen flowering fertilizer monthly.
Mature/Fruiting
Ongoing through seasonPlant reaches full size; produces small black berries that follow flowers. Blooming may slow in extreme heat but resumes with cooler temps.
Light pruning to maintain shape. Allow some flowers to mature into berries for wildlife. Prepare for winter dormancy in zones 8-9.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase air circulation; remove heavily infested leaves
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Mist foliage with water; apply neem oil or sulfur spray; ensure adequate humidity
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Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; prune heavily infested branches; encourage beneficial insects
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Remove by hand; treat with horticultural oil in early spring; prune severely infested branches
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; wipe leaves with alcohol-soaked cloth; isolate heavily infested plants
Uses
Culinary caution
CulinaryWhile some lantana species have edible berries, Lantana horrida and its cultivars are NOT recommended for consumption. The unripe berries contain potentially toxic compounds. Only certain lantana species are food-safe. [source]
Butterfly and pollinator magnet
WildlifeLantana 'Indigo Blue' is highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The small clustered flowers provide accessible nectar, making it excellent for wildlife gardens and monarch butterfly conservation gardens. [source]
Vibrant landscape color
OrnamentalThe striking indigo-blue to purple flower clusters provide bold color from summer through fall. Use as a specimen plant, in mass plantings, borders, or container gardens for dramatic visual impact. [source]
Drought-tolerant landscaping
HouseholdLantana 'Indigo Blue' is exceptionally heat and drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for xeriscaping, low-water gardens, and regions with water restrictions. [source]
Traditional medicine uses
MedicinalSome lantana species have been used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, though Lantana horrida cultivars are not commonly used medicinally. Always consult healthcare providers before use. [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 'Indigo Blue' is not harvested for food, but rather enjoyed as an ornamental. Deadhead (remove spent flower clusters) regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut back hard in early spring (zones 8-9) or as needed to maintain desired shape and size.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lantana flowers exhibit a phenomenon called 'color change with age'—the individual florets within the cluster shift from indigo-blue when freshly opened to deeper purple as they age, creating a stunning multicolored effect across each flower head.
- 🌱 The name 'Lantana horrida' comes from the plant's strong, pungent smell when leaves are crushed, which some gardeners find unpleasant but which serves as a natural pest deterrent.
- 🌱 Lantana is native to tropical and subtropical Americas and has become a serious invasive species in parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia, though in zones 8-9 it dies back or remains under control.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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