Some gardeners prefer unpretentious plants that feel equally good both in the flowerbed and in the pot. Lantana is a flower that is fully suitable for this characteristic. The variety of varieties of this beautiful perennial will also impress fans of original cultivated plants.
Lantana is a plant that came to Russia from Latin America. For her ability to grow quickly, she received the nickname "curse of the planters." Beautiful shrubs with fragrant inflorescences literally occupied lands intended for planting other crops. But in the gardens they did not fight with the dominance of the bush, on the contrary, they planted it with pleasure.
Blooming lantana
Lanthanum was first described in 1737 by Carl Linnaeus in his work Genera Plantarium. The scientist gave the flower the same name as the shrub viburnum Gordovina was wearing at that time (plants have very similar inflorescences).
Interesting to know! Due to the external similarity of lanthanum leaves with nettle in the people, the bush is sometimes called nettle.
Lantana can have both the shape of a bush and the shape of a small tree. Ampel plant varieties are also found. The flower quickly adapts to new conditions, therefore, in the wild it has taken root in many countries: India, Mexico, Colombia. You can meet him in Central Asia and the Mediterranean.
The branches of the plant are spreading, the stems are erect, branched. With proper care, lanthanum can grow up to 3 meters in height. She is very active in her growth, therefore, requires a lot of free space. There are modern hybrids that are developing not so fast and do not need space.
The root system of this interesting plant is very well developed and also requires a lot of space. Therefore, when growing a house, you should choose a volumetric pot, otherwise you will have to transplant once every several months.
The branches of the plant are covered with light green bark. Spikes (a feature of some varieties) can occur on shoots.
Leaves with short petioles are opposite or spiral. The plates themselves are pubescent, serrated, ovate. Their size usually does not exceed 5 cm. The color of the leaves is bright green; in some species, light stripes are present along the edges.
Note! On the leaves of lanthanum there are special glands through which the plant secretes essential oils with a specific smell.
Camara inflorescences
In the spring, flower stalks appear from the axils of the leaves at the tops of the shoots. They end in small (up to 5 cm in diameter) inflorescences exuding a wonderful aroma. No wonder in Africa whole flocks of insects flock to a flowering plant.
The most interesting detail of the external description is the color of the lanthanum petals during the flowering period, changing from white and yellow to pink and red. Sometimes on one inflorescence several shades are combined at once. This splendor of colors begins in May and ends in September.
There are about 150 species of lanthanum, of which only Kamara lanthanum and its hybrids are cultivated.
Among the natural flower species, the following can be distinguished:
- Lantana is prickly. Shrub up to 1.5 m high. On the shoots there are strong spikes. The leaves are planted on long petioles, the plates are deep green, slightly pubescent from below. The aroma is specific. The color of the flowers changes from yellow to scarlet;
Lantana selloviana
- Lantana Sello (Selloviana). A plant with thin shoots. Leaves are bright green, pubescent from below. Loose inflorescences are collected from small flowers, lilac along the edge and white-yellow in the middle;
Lantana Montevidea
- Montevidean Lantana (Montevidensis). The owner of flexible, woody shoots at the base. It is grown as ampelous, although it is rather difficult to find it on sale. Flowering occurs from June to November. When you touch the flowers, you can feel how the finest aroma spreads;
Wrinkled Lanthanum
- Wrinkled lantana (Rugulosa). Shrub up to 1 m high with many small thorns. The leaves are dark shade, rough. The flowers are small, lilac or purple.
Spiky lantana (lantana camara) gave birth to many hybrid varieties:
- Lantana Grenadine The owner of bright flowers and thick leaves. Ideal for home growing. It has a pleasant aroma.
Snow grade
- Snow White lantana, in bloom, looks great. The same color petals have varieties White Dwarf, Ice Queen.
Variety Esperanta Pink
- Esperanta Pink. A variety whose flowers are saturated pink;
Variety Samanta
- Samanta. Petals of this variety delight the eye with a rich lime color;
Variety Sunkiss
- Sunkiss. Lantana with bright orange flowers, the color of which can change to brick.
Interesting to know! Since the name of the flower is consonant with the name of the chemical element, often at the request of “lanthanum hybrid”, search engines return the result “lanthanum hydride”. No less surprise awaits those who want to find the Pharaoh lanthanum variety through the search engine - it turns out that this is the name of the song of the young artist Pharaoh, and not a variety of lanthanum.
For lanthanum planting and care are not difficult. However, in order for the plant to develop well and enjoy long flowering, it is worth paying attention to the features of caring for it.
Watering
A beautiful perennial does not require a special moisture regime. It is enough to ensure that the earthen lump in the pot does not dry out. In winter, when the plant has a dormant period, it is only necessary to gradually add water to the soil so as not to provoke root diseases.
Temperature
In summer, lanthanum prefers heat, but not heat. It is enough from 18 to 25 ° C. In winter, the bush requires rest, so you should find a cool (14-16 ° C) place without drafts in advance.
Humidity
As a true resident of the tropics, lanthanum (home care is much easier than most exotics) loves humidified air, so it is worthwhile to spray more often in the summer. In addition, this procedure serves to prevent the attack of a spider mite, which does not like dampness. In winter, it is also worth spraying, but a little less often.
The soil
The plant is not too demanding on the composition of the soil, but in order to achieve intense and long flowering, it is better to take care of a good nutritious soil. For the preparation of soil mixtures take turf land, peat and sand. Moreover, it is advisable to add peat at least 30% of the total mass of finished soil, since it will retain moisture.
Berries of the plant are inedible.
Important! Lantana gives fruit in the form of berries. It is advisable to pick them off, since the plant spends energy on the development of seeds, instead of blooming profusely. In addition, the berries are poisonous.
Transplant Features
Lanthanum should be transplanted every year, in the spring. If this is not done, the plant may not bloom. The flower is "relocated" by transshipment from one pot to another. At the same time, the earthen lump remains on the roots, you do not need to shake it off. The empty space in the new tank is filled with soil mixture, before that it is worth placing drainage (3-4 cm) from the small stones or pieces of bark at the bottom of the tank.
If the plant is large, you can remove the bottom of the roots using a sharp knife.
When the transplant is completed, the flower should be moderately watered and put to adapt in a shaded place. After 2-3 days, he is returned to a well-lit space.
A perennial flower can not be transplanted to relieve it of unnecessary stress. Just change the topsoil in the pot.
Note! Some gardeners place several different varieties of lanthanum in one container. During flowering, a motley vibrant bouquet is obtained.
At home, the flower lives 5-6 years. In an older plant, growth slows down, flowering is impaired. Perennial is easy to propagate and get several new copies of the exotic beauty. There are two ways to do this.
Seeds
Seeds ready for sowing are easy to find on sale, both in specialized stores and on the Internet.
Reproduction of lanthanum seeds:
- Fill the container with a nutrient substrate;
- Spread seeds on its surface at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Press them slightly with your finger;
- Sprinkle plantings with water, cover with a lid or glass. Place on the windowsill, where there is a lot of heat and light;
- Take care of plantings: daily open the container for airing, moisten the soil, monitor the temperature (the optimal indicator is from 20 to 24 ° C);
- After 2-3 weeks, seedlings will appear. From this moment, the container can be opened, then completely remove the lid;
- When the seedlings reach a height of 12 cm, dive them. At this stage, it’s time to slightly increase the temperature of cultivation, add lighting. You may need additional lighting.
The grown seedlings are planted in separate pots.
Lanthanum seeds
Important! You can collect the seed yourself, with a home flower. Most likely, the young lanthanums obtained will not preserve the hybrid properties of the mother plant.
Cuttings
Propagating the perennial by cuttings is easier than by seed.
How to grow lantana from cuttings:
- From young non-lignified shoots cut cuttings 10 cm long so that each has 4 leaves. They cut in mid-February - early March;
- Remove from the cuttings the 2 lower leaves. Dip the lower edge of each branch into the Kornevin solution;
- For rooting, cuttings can be placed in a sand-peat mixture or a glass with water;
- To provide the cuttings with greenhouse conditions by covering with polyethylene or a jar. Put in a warm, well-lit place;
- The improvised guy should be aired daily; when using a sand mixture, do not forget to moisturize. The temperature for rooting should be kept within 20-22 ° C;
- After 30-40 days, roots will appear, the seedling will begin to drive out new leaves. From this moment, the temperature must be gradually reduced. Bring the indicator to 15 ° C;
- When the plants are strong, they can be planted in pots and immediately pinch the top to form a beautiful crown.
Young lanthanums can bloom in the first year of life, but the buds should be carefully cut off, as they will take a lot of energy from plants.
Lantana potted outdoors
Lantana - a flower, the care of which at home is very simple. If you follow all the rules described, she will respond with a long and stormy flowering, which can be boasted to the neighbors. The plant feels great outdoors, where colorful flowers will see everything.
