What you do with lantana in winter depends on where you live. If you're in USDA Zones 9-11, your lantana will make it through mild winters on its own. In Zone 8, you'll want to pile mulch over the roots. In Zone 7 and colder, you need to move potted lantana inside or treat it as a one-season plant.
I moved my favorite potted lantana into the garage for its first winter three years ago. I cut the stems back to about six inches tall, set the pot in a corner away from the window, and crossed my fingers. The plant dropped every leaf within two weeks and looked stone dead by January. But when I brought it back outside in late April, fresh green shoots appeared within ten days. That same plant is still going strong and gets bigger every year.
The science behind winter survival comes down to temperature thresholds. UW-Madison Extension states that lantana roots die when the ground freezes below 28°F (-2°C). Top growth is even more fragile and gets killed by the first hard frost regardless of your zone. In Zone 8, roots often live on because the soil stays warm enough. But the stems and leaves above ground turn brown and crispy. The plant sends up new growth from the roots once spring warms the ground again.
For cold-climate gardeners, lantana overwintering indoors is the only way to save your plants. UMN Extension recommends placing potted lantana in a room that stays between 50-60°F (10-15°C) with minimal light. The plant enters a dormant state where it needs almost nothing from you. Water just enough to keep the soil from turning to dust, about once a month. The Old Farmer's Almanac says dry soil is the number one killer of stored lantana. Don't skip that monthly watering.
Zone-specific lantana winter care makes the difference between a plant that comes back strong and one that rots in storage. For Zone 8, spread 3-4 inches of mulch over the root zone after the first frost kills the top growth. Shredded bark, straw, or pine needles all work well. Remove the mulch in early spring once night temperatures stay above freezing so the roots don't stay too wet.
In my experience, spring timing matters just as much as winter work. Don't rush your lantana back outside or pull mulch too early. Wait until the soil warms to 60°F (15.5°C) and all frost risk has passed. A cheap soil probe from the garden center gives you the exact reading in seconds.
Once your plant is back in warm weather, start watering again and give it a few weeks to wake up. New green shoots should pop up within one to three weeks. Your lantana will fill out fast from there and give you another full season of color. I've brought the same three plants through winter for years now, and each one comes back stronger than before.
Read the full article: Lantana Flowers: Colors, Care and Varieties
