Lantana (Lantana camara) is a beloved flowering shrub known for its vibrant blooms and ability to attract pollinators. By incorporating companion plants, you can create a thriving and aesthetically pleasing garden that benefits both your lantana and the surrounding ecosystem.
Why Choose Companion Plants for Lantana?
Lantana thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Companion planting can further support its growth by providing shade, attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, and adding visual interest to your garden.
Best Companion Plants for Lantana
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
True to its name, the butterfly bush is a magnet for butterflies. Its fragrant, cone-shaped flower clusters come in various shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow, providing a nectar-rich feast for butterflies throughout the summer. Plant it near your lantana to create a butterfly haven that buzzes with activity.
Butterfly Bliss Boost: Deadhead spent blooms regularly to promote a continuous supply of nectar and entice a diverse array of butterflies throughout the season.
Milkweed (Asclepias)
Essential for the survival of monarch butterflies, milkweed is the host plant for their caterpillars. Its unique flowers provide nectar for adult butterflies while its foliage nourishes the next generation. By including milkweed in your lantana garden, you’ll not only attract monarchs but also contribute to their conservation.
Caterpillar Café Secret: Plant a variety of milkweed species to cater to the diverse needs of monarchs throughout their lifecycle. ‘Butterfly Weed’ (Asclepias tuberosa) and ‘Swamp Milkweed’ (Asclepias incarnata) are excellent choices.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
With their vibrant colors and daisy-like appearance, coneflowers add a cheerful touch to any garden. They are also excellent sources of nectar and pollen for butterflies and bees. Their long blooming period ensures a continuous supply of food for pollinators throughout the season.
Coneflower Revival Ritual: Divide coneflowers every 3-4 years to maintain their vigor and encourage prolific blooming. This ensures a vibrant display and ample food sources for pollinators.
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
This succulent perennial is a late-season bloomer, providing nectar when many other flowers have faded. Its pink flower clusters attract butterflies and bees, extending the pollinating season well into autumn.
Sedum Shape-Up Strategy: Cut back sedum stems in early summer to promote bushier growth and an abundance of late-season blooms, providing crucial nectar when other sources dwindle.
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Salvias are a diverse group of plants that come in a wide range of colors and sizes. Many varieties, such as Salvia greggii and Salvia nemorosa, are known for their butterfly-attracting qualities. Their tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for butterflies to access the nectar within.
Salvia Pruning Power-Up: Pinch back young salvia plants to encourage branching and a fuller appearance, creating a more enticing haven for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
This airy perennial with silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers adds a touch of elegance to the garden. It’s a favorite of butterflies and bees, providing them with nectar in the mid to late summer.
Russian Sage Rejuvenation Recipe: Prune Russian sage hard in early spring to maintain its graceful shape and stimulate new growth, ensuring a captivating display of silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers.
Verbena (Verbena spp.)
Available in a wide range of colors and growth habits, verbena is a versatile companion for lantana. Its cascading or mounding growth complements lantana’s shrubby form, and its vibrant flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. Choose from upright varieties like Homestead Purple or trailing types like Superbena.
Verbena Vitality Enhancer: Fertilize verbena regularly during the growing season to promote continuous blooming and a vibrant tapestry of colors that will captivate both you and pollinators.
Mecardonia
This charming groundcover is known for its dainty yellow flowers that bloom prolifically throughout the summer. Mecardonia spreads quickly, forming a dense mat of foliage and flowers that suppress weeds and add a cheerful touch to any garden.
Mecardonia Sunlight Symphony: Plant mecardonia in full sun and well-draining soil to witness its full potential as a cheerful, low-maintenance groundcover that thrives in sunny spots.
Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia)
Also known as summer snapdragon, Angelonia produces tall spikes of delicate flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. Its upright growth habit contrasts beautifully with lantana’s mounded form, adding height and visual interest to the garden.
Angelonia Encore Enchantment: Deadhead Angelonia to encourage a second wave of blooms, ensuring a captivating display throughout the summer months.
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
These clover-like flowers come in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and white, and they hold their color even when dried. Globe amaranth attracts butterflies and bees, and its long blooming period ensures a continuous source of nectar throughout the season.
Globe Amaranth Preservation Pointers: Dry the colorful globe amaranth flowers to preserve their beauty and use them in wreaths or arrangements for a touch of timeless elegance.
Baby Sunroses (Aptenia cordifolia):
These succulent groundcovers are known for their bright pink or purple flowers and their ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions. Baby sunroses are a great choice for rock gardens or slopes, and their trailing habit complements lantana’s mounding form. However, it’s important to note that they can be invasive in some areas, so be sure to monitor their spread.
Baby Sunrose Spreading Savior: Control the spread of baby sunrose by pruning it regularly. This will maintain its neat appearance while allowing its vibrant flowers to shine.
Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima)
This silvery-leaved perennial adds a touch of elegance to any garden. Its soft, fuzzy foliage contrasts beautifully with lantana’s vibrant flowers, and its drought tolerance makes it a suitable companion for sunny locations. However, dusty miller can become leggy if not pruned regularly, so be sure to keep it in check to prevent it from overshadowing the lantana.
Dusty Miller Taming Technique: Pinch back dusty miller regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming leggy, ensuring its silvery foliage remains a captivating focal point.
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Also known as Egyptian Starcluster, pentas are adored by hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Their clusters of star-shaped flowers come in vibrant shades of pink, red, purple, and white, creating a colorful spectacle throughout the summer. Pentas thrive in sunny locations with well-draining soil, making them an ideal companion for lantana.
Pentas Party Prolongation: Deadhead spent flower clusters regularly to encourage continuous blooming, ensuring a steady supply of nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the summer.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
This aromatic herb not only adds culinary value to your garden but also attracts pollinators with its delicate blue flowers. Rosemary’s pungent scent can deter pests, making it a beneficial companion for lantana and other plants.
Rosemary Resilience Recipe: Prune rosemary regularly to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. This will also ensure a plentiful supply of fragrant leaves for culinary use.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Another culinary herb that doubles as a pollinator magnet, oregano boasts clusters of purple or pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Its strong scent may also help repel pests, adding another layer of protection to your garden.
Oregano Optimization Oracle: Harvest oregano leaves before the plant flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms and extend its appeal to pollinators.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
These perennial herbs produce clusters of edible purple flowers that are adored by bees. Chives are easy to grow and require minimal care, making them a great addition to any garden. Their subtle onion flavor also adds a delightful touch to dishes.
Chives Culinary & Pollinator Combo
Allow a few chive flowers to bloom to attract beneficial insects while harvesting the remaining flowers for a flavorful garnish in salads and other dishes.
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
This perennial, known for its velvety, silver-gray foliage, makes an excellent companion for lantana. Both plants thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, making them a perfect pair for sunny borders or rock gardens. Lamb’s ear’s low-growing habit and spreading nature also make it a great ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture around your lantana. Additionally, its soft texture and muted color provide a beautiful contrast to lantana’s vibrant blooms, creating a visually appealing landscape.
Lamb’s Ear Lushness Lesson: Divide lamb’s ear clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding, ensuring a lush carpet of silvery foliage that complements lantana’s vibrant blooms.
Ornamental Grass
Ornamental grasses sway gracefully alongside vibrant lantana, their feathery plumes creating a captivating contrast of textures and movement. This pairing is a delight for the eyes and a haven for beneficial insects, bringing life and dynamism to your sunny garden.
Textural Tango Tip: Opt for a mix of ornamental grasses with varying heights, textures, and bloom times to create a dynamic and visually appealing landscape that complements the vibrant colors of lantana.
Yucca
Yucca, with its striking architectural form and spiky foliage, provides a bold counterpoint to lantana’s rounded blooms. This drought-tolerant duo thrives in the hot Lahore sun, offering a low-maintenance yet visually impactful combination for xeriscapes or Mediterranean-inspired gardens.
Yucca’s Thirst Quencher: While yuccas are drought-tolerant, they still appreciate deep watering when the soil is dry. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia )
The delicate fragrance of lavender mingles beautifully with the vibrant colors of lantana, creating a sensory delight for both humans and pollinators. This combination brings a touch of serenity and charm to any sunny spot, inviting butterflies and bees to flutter amidst their blooms.
Lavender’s Longevity Lesson: Prune lavender regularly after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage new growth, ensuring a bountiful display of fragrant blooms and a haven for pollinators.
Companion Planting Design Tips
Spacing Considerations for Companion Plants:
Proper spacing is crucial for the health and growth of both your lantana and its companions. Consider the mature size of each plant and give them enough room to spread out without crowding each other. For example:
- Shrubs and taller perennials: Allow 2-3 feet of space between them.
- Medium-sized plants: Space them 1-2 feet apart.
- Groundcovers: Plant them 6-12 inches apart.
Remember to account for the growth habit of each plant. Upright growers like Angelonia need less horizontal space than sprawling plants like verbena. Adjust spacing accordingly to prevent overcrowding and ensure adequate airflow.
Color Combinations for Visual Interest:
Lantana’s vibrant blooms offer a wide range of color options, from fiery oranges and reds to soft pinks and yellows. Play with complementary colors to create eye-catching combinations. For instance:
- Pair yellow lantana with purple verbena or blue salvia.
- Combine pink lantana with white Angelonia or lavender Russian sage.
- Use red lantana as a bold accent against the silvery foliage of Dusty Miller.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different color combinations to find what appeals to you most. Consider the overall mood you want to create in your garden—calming, vibrant, or playful—and choose colors that evoke that feeling.
Creating a Layered Effect with Varying Heights:
A multi-layered garden adds depth and dimension to your landscape. To achieve this, choose companion plants with varying heights. Here’s a simple layering formula:
- Back Layer: Tallest plants like butterfly bush or Russian sage.
- Middle Layer: Medium-sized plants like pentas or salvia.
- Front Layer: Short plants like verbena, mecardonia, or groundcovers.
This layered effect not only creates visual interest but also maximizes sunlight exposure for all plants.
Lantana Companion Planting FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Q: What are the best companion plants for lantana in full sun?
A: Lantana thrives in full sun, and many of its best companions share this preference. Some popular choices include:
- Flowering Companions: Verbena, pentas, angelonia, salvia, and butterfly bush.
- Foliage Companions: Dusty miller, artemisia, and lamb’s ear.
- Edible Companions: Rosemary, oregano, and chives.
Q: Can I plant vegetables with lantana?
A: While lantana is not typically planted directly alongside vegetables, you can create a beautiful and functional garden by incorporating edible herbs like rosemary, oregano, and chives as companion plants. These herbs not only attract pollinators but also offer culinary benefits.
Q: What plants should I avoid planting with lantana?
A: Avoid plants that have vastly different growing requirements than lantana. For example, shade-loving plants or those that prefer consistently moist soil are not suitable companions. Additionally, avoid aggressive spreaders that could overtake your lantana, such as mint or bamboo.
Q: How do I create a layered effect in my lantana garden?
A: To achieve a layered look, choose companion plants of varying heights. Place taller plants, like butterfly bush or Russian sage, at the back of the border. Medium-sized plants, such as pentas or salvia, can occupy the middle layer. Finally, use shorter plants like verbena, mecardonia, or groundcovers to fill in the front.
Q: How do I prevent companion plants from overcrowding my lantana?
A: Proper spacing is key to preventing overcrowding. Research the mature size of each plant and give them adequate space to grow. Regularly prune or divide plants as needed to maintain their size and shape.
Q: Can I grow lantana companion plants in containers?
A: Yes, many lantana companion plants thrive in containers, making them ideal for patios, balconies, or small gardens. Choose compact varieties or those with trailing habits for best results. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and provide adequate water and fertilizer.
Q: Do lantana companion plants help deter pests?
A: Yes, certain companion plants, such as rosemary, oregano, and marigolds, have natural pest-repellent properties. These plants emit scents or contain substances that deter common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
Q: What are some good groundcover options for lantana?
A: Some excellent groundcover options for lantana include mecardonia, baby sunrose (with caution as it can be invasive), and creeping thyme. These plants will help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add a colorful layer to your garden.
Related: Oregano companion plants