Does Lantana Come Back After Winter?

Whether or not Lantana will come back after Winter depends on your climate, the type of Lantana, and your gardening practices. In USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, Lantana is a perennial and will return year after year. In Zones 7 and 8, Lantana is often grown as an annual unless steps are taken to protect it from the cold.

Two types of Lantana, particularly Lantana camara and Lantana montevidensis have been found to overwinter successfully in Zones 7 and 8.  Miss Huff and Irene, both Lantana camara, are the two most well known types of hardy Lantana grown in Zones 7 and 8. Miss Huff, particularly, is sought after for its longevity and ease of care.  

Other Lantana camara types, which are commonly grown as annual lantana, may be overwintered with some effort. Lantana New Gold (found to be root-hardy to Zone 7) and Lantana Chapel Yellow (root-hardy to Zone 8) are very popular amongst Lantana enthusiasts seeking hardy Lantana.

However, for Lantana camara or Lantana montevidensis to survive in Zones 7-9 where freezing conditions occur, you must ensure that it receives the proper care during the winter.

Lantana’s Winter Survival and Care

Lantana undergoes significant changes during winter, and its survival largely depends on the climate. In USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, lantana may stay semi-evergreen or enter partial dormancy, often retaining some foliage if temperatures remain mild. However, in colder regions (Zones 7 and 8), the top growth dies back to the ground. While the visible parts of the plant may appear dead, the roots can survive if properly insulated with mulch or other protective materials. Without this protection, lantana is unlikely to survive freezing temperatures.

Lantana typically enters dormancy when temperatures drop below 36°F (2°C). During dormancy, the leaves may brown, curl, or fall off entirely. Despite its appearance, the roots often remain alive beneath the soil, ready to regrow in spring. In warmer zones, lantana may survive the winter with minimal protection, while gardeners in colder zones may need to take extra steps to preserve it.

How to Winterize Lantana Plants

Winterizing lantana is essential for its survival during colder months, especially in areas where freezing temperatures are common. By following proper pruning, mulching, and overwintering techniques, you can give your lantana the best chance of regrowth in spring. These steps help protect the plant’s roots, encourage healthy new growth, and prevent disease.

Pruning for Winter Survival

One of the most important steps in winterizing lantana is pruning. Prune the plant after the first hard frost (below 26°CF), and after foliage has turned brown or dropped. Cut it back to 6-12 inches above the ground. Pruning removes dead growth, prevents disease, and allows the plant to focus its energy on root health. This also makes room for fresh, healthy shoots to emerge in the spring. Pruning too early can promote new growth that will be susceptible to cold snaps, so wait until a good frost has clearly set in before pruning.

Insulating Plants

Lantana planted can be insulated in several ways. First, Lantana planted directly in the ground are generally less susceptible to swings in ambient temperature compared to those in pots. This is primarily because the soil in the ground acts as a natural insulator, buffering the roots from extreme temperature variations. The larger volume of soil in the ground retains heat more effectively, maintaining a more consistent temperature around the plant's root zone. In contrast, potted plants have a smaller volume of soil, which can heat up or cool down much more rapidly, making the plants more vulnerable to changes in temperature. Additionally, the ground soil often has better moisture retention, which further aids in stabilizing temperature fluctuations, providing a more stable environment for the plants to thrive. While one study claimed a benefit of 10-15°F, a more realistic benefit particularly for shallow roots is probably 5°F. 

Plants in pots can be buried in the ground to overwinter to provide the same level of ground insulation. Additionally, placing pots adjacent to the foundation of a home can also provide the pots with the benefit of the warmer microclimate radiating from a home’s structure. Finally, insulating the plants with covers such as frost cloth can be beneficial in certain harsh climate conditions such as wind, ice and snow.

Mulching to Protect Roots

Mulching is another vital part of winterizing lantana, as it insulates the roots and shields them from freezing temperatures. After pruning, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch, leaves, straw, pine bark or pine needles around the base of the plant. This layer helps stabilize soil temperature and moisture levels, keeping the roots protected. Once temperatures warm in early spring, remove the mulch so new shoots have space to emerge. Without mulch, the roots are at greater risk of freezing, especially in colder climates. Adding a quality layer of mulch can add up to an additional 2-3°F of protection.

How to Overwinter Lantana

Overwintering Lantana effectively is essential for gardeners in colder regions (Zones 8 and below) where freezing temperatures can kill the plant.

Overwintering Indoors

One of the most effective methods is to bring lantana indoors before the first frost. To do this, carefully dig up the plant, ensuring its roots remain intact, and transfer it to a container filled with well-draining potting soil. Place the potted lantana in a cool, sunny spot, such as a sunroom or a bright window, where temperatures remain between 55-65°F. During the winter, water the plant sparingly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. This method allows gardeners to enjoy lantana year after year, even in colder zones where outdoor survival is unlikely. By overwintering lantana indoors, you protect it from the harshest winter weather, ensuring it’s ready to grow and thrive again when spring returns.

Overwintering Outdoors

Another option for overwintering lantana is to leave it outdoors, but this method is only suitable for gardeners in Zones 7-11. In Zones 10 through 11, lantana should be an evergreen perennial. For Zone 9, which may freeze occasionally, proper winter care can keep Lantana root hardy so that Lantana will sprout back in the spring. 

For Zones 7 and 8 where temperatures drop below freezing regularly, proper winterization such as pruning, insulating and mulching plants as discussed previously can help to overwinter Lantana more effectively. Additionally, in Zones 7 and 8, watering plants thoroughly before an extended freeze will provide several benefits including:

1. Insulation: Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil
2. Humidity: Humidity around a plant helps reduce the frost damage to plant tissues
3. Hydration: A well-hydrated plant will be better able to maintain metabolic processes during cold weather than a dry plant 

When temperatures begin to warm in early spring, it is also a best practice to pull mulch off the branches and stem of the plant to give the plant space to grow.

Bare-Root Method

For those who want a more storage-based approach, the bare-root method is an option. This method involves digging up the lantana and removing excess soil from its roots. The bare roots are then stored in a cool, dry place, such as a basement or garage. To prevent the roots from drying out, place them in a box filled with peat moss, sawdust, or shredded newspaper. Check the roots periodically throughout the winter for signs of mold or rot, and address any issues as needed. While this method is more labor-intensive than overwintering indoors, it can be a practical choice for gardeners who don’t have indoor growing space but still want to preserve their lantana for the next growing season.

FAQs About Lantana Winter Care

Does Lantana Come Back Every Year?

Lantana comes back every year in Zones 9-11, where the mild winter temperatures allow the plant's roots to survive underground even if the foliage dies back. In Zones 7 and 8, Lantana may come back year after year if the proper winter care practices identified in the previous paragraphs are practiced. 

When Will Lantana Come Back?

Lantana typically begins regrowth from late March to May, depending on local temperatures, with warmer climates seeing earlier growth. New shoots emerge when soil temperatures rise consistently, usually above 55°F (13°C), signaling the plant that it's safe to grow. Lantana may be slow to "wake up" in spring, so be patient if you don’t see immediate growth, as it often prioritizes root development before visible shoots appear.

Do You Cut Back Lantana in Winter?

Yes, it’s important to prune Lantana after the first frost to promote healthy regrowth in the spring. Once the foliage begins to brown from frost exposure, cut the plant back to 6-12 inches from the ground. This process removes dead or damaged growth, reduces the risk of disease, and allows the plant to focus its energy on root health during the dormant winter period. Pruning also creates space for fresh, new shoots to emerge once temperatures warm in spring. Avoid pruning too early, as new growth damaged by freezing temperatures could kill the plant.