Bringing a new lantana home is the easy part. What you do in the first few weeks makes the difference between a plant that thrives and one that struggles. Here's how to get it settled in right.
Check for Shipping Stress
Unbox your lantana as soon as it arrives and inspect the foliage. Some leaf drop, wilting, or yellowing during transit is normal and usually resolves within a few days once the plant is unpacked and watered.
Hydrate Before Anything Else
Give the plant a thorough watering as soon as you unbox it. The soil in the shipping pot dries out quickly in transit, and rehydrating the root ball is the single most important thing you can do in the first hour.
Keep It in the Pot for Now
Resist the urge to plant right away. Let your lantana rest in its nursery pot in a bright, sheltered spot for one to two weeks so it can recover from shipping stress before taking on the added stress of transplanting.
Acclimate to Sun Gradually
Lantana loves full sun once established, but a plant fresh out of a box needs a gradual introduction. Start it in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, then increase direct sun exposure over one to two weeks.
When to Plant in the Ground
Once your lantana has settled in, is showing healthy new growth, and has acclimated to full sun, it's ready to go in the ground. Our lantana care guide walks through planting, watering, and pruning from there.
Curious which colors and varieties are available? Check our lantana colors guide. And if you run into issues down the road, our common lantana problems guide covers the most frequent issues and fixes.