Once at the market, in the flower rows, I saw something in a crumpled coffee can that amazed me. On a small plant, bright yellow and pink flowers were blooming at the same time, and the buds on the unblown inflorescences-umbels were creamy. The leaves were pubescent, quite rough. I have many flowers, different and rare, but I have never seen anything like this.
This is how I got this plant, which is called lantana camara. It comes from Brazil, where it grows up to 2 m in height, and in indoor conditions it usually does not exceed 40 cm. Lantana grows quite quickly, so it needs to be trimmed regularly. This promotes the formation of new shoots, on which charming flowers appear. What is strange is that in the photographs in books lantana is very inferior and looks more than modest, it is even a shame for it.
This plant blooms from spring to late autumn, then a short rest for the winter, and lantana camara blooms and smells fragrant again. In the summer, it is better to take the bush out into the fresh air. Lantana loves the sun, but it is better to protect it from the scorching midday rays. If lantana does not have enough light, it does not bloom abundantly.
When watering, you need to be moderate and careful. If the plant is overwatered, it will have a negative effect on flowering, and if the soil dries out, the leaves will fall off. It tolerates the dry air of a city apartment quite well, but from time to time the leaves can be sprayed with water at room temperature.
The soil requirements are modest – a mixture of garden soil with leaf and sand. But for good growth and full development during the growing season, you need to feed the lantana with a weak solution of complete complex fertilizer once every two weeks. Excess of it can cause strong growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering. And during the winter hibernation, lantana does not need to be fed. And in general, in winter it is desirable to find a cooler place for it, 5-8 degrees, but so that it is light.
Oh, and one more thing. If you have enough willpower and your hand doesn’t shake when pruning plants, then by methodically removing side shoots you can grow a lantana into a tree, and shape the crown into a ball. When the time comes, flowers will appear on this tree – cream, bright yellow and pearly pink. What do you think? Absolutely right. Beauty is a terrible force.
