Being aware of when and how to prune Lantana is as essential as knowing how to grow it. If you want it to thrive, you must provide what it needs.
If you have seen Lantanas brightly blooming in someone else’s garden before, then you understand why planting them would be worth it. They are characterized by the clusters of their varying bicolored, small flowers, which makes them pleasing to the eyes.
Fortunately, Lantanas are low-maintenance bloomers. That means that growing and tending to their needs is not that demanding. One of the most essential steps to taking care of Lantanas is pruning them, and that, likewise, is not much of a tricky task as well.
Keep in mind that Lantanas are shrubs that are usually medium in size. However, depending on what type it is, it can get taller or wider than usual. It needs pruning, not only for visual purposes but also for its intended limited space.
Key Points to Remember on How to Prune Lantana
Since Lantana can grow and bloom quickly, its stems would not be able to keep up with the weight for long. Therefore, trimming it back to its regular size is vital to its lifespan.
By pruning your Lantana, you can give it a momentary respite after it has been constantly blooming for as long as eight months. That break encourages new growth, where the flowers would start to form once the growing period comes again. Here are some of the most important tips to remember when you’re pruning your favorite flowers:
Tip #1: Don’t prune them during the fall and the peak of winter
If there’s one thing you need to know about Lantanas, it’s the fact that they are extremely vulnerable to cold and moisture. Therefore, you should not prune them during fall and the peak of winter but near the end of the frosty season or in early spring.
Tip #2: Cut them the right way
For the first pruning session, cut around six inches of the plant about one foot away from its base. On the other hand, if your purpose is to control its overgrowing tendencies, you can prune it back to no more than one-third of its regular height.
Meanwhile, if you want to encourage new growth for quicker blooms, trimming it is the way to go. Unlike the previous pruning methods, you do not have to cut as much of the plant. A minimum of one to a maximum of three inches should be sufficient.
Tip #3: Plant Lantana in a well-draining soil
Aside from pruning, you can also assist your Lantana in blooming by planting it in soil that drains well. The area should be exposed to the sun, yet away from the harsh late afternoon heat.
Tip #4: Water it once or twice a week
Although it is not that sensitive to lack of water, a bit of moisture is beneficial for better blooms. However, do not dampen it too much. In fact, watering it once or twice a week is usually enough.
Tip #5: Feed it with light and natural fertilizers
After following the proper ways on how to prune Lantana, you are also encouraged to make use of light and natural fertilizers. That is best done during the earlier days of spring as a way of improving the plant’s health and hastening its blooms after winter.
Does Greenhouse Gardening Make Sense?
If you’re someone who wants to maximize your ability to grow your favorite vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, and herbs, then you should give greenhouse gardening a try. Aside from the fact that a greenhouse can provide your plant babies with the protection they need against harsh weather conditions and the constant threat of pests and destructive animals, it allows you to create the perfect environment that can encourage your plants to thrive well.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best benefits of growing your precious plants inside a hobby, semi pro, or mini greenhouse:
It protects your plants from harsh weather conditions
Bad weather conditions such as dust storms, blizzards, strong winds, and heavy rains can cause considerable damage to your plants. Since your greenhouse can provide an extra layer of protection from the elements, you can be confident that your plants will stay safe despite the ever-changing weather conditions.
It keeps pests and predators out and the beneficial insects in
Setting up your own greenhouse means setting a barrier between your precious plants and the destructive insects and vermin that can destroy them. Conversely, you can also choose to introduce beneficial insects into your indoor garden so that they can promote healthy plant growth.
You’ll be able to create the best growing environment for your plants
Growing your favorite plants inside an enclosed space gives you full control over the environmental conditions that you subject them to. Greenhouse gardening allows you to manipulate the temperature, moisture, ventilation, and light that would set the stage for your plants to thrive well.
The Takeaway
Learning how to prune Lantana is extremely important for anyone who wants to enjoy their full blooms for a longer period of time. However, if you want to have the best gardening experience that you can possibly have, try your hand at greenhouse gardening.