Lantana is a popular and colorful flowering plant that thrives in containers. When planting Lantana in a container, it is important to choose companion plants that will complement its growth habits, size, and vibrant colors.

Choosing the right companion plants can ensure a beautiful, thriving garden space.Each of these plants is selected based on compatibility with Lantana’s characteristics, such as its sun requirements, watering habits, and growth patterns.

Whether you’re looking for a vibrant display or plants that will help balance Lantana’s vigorous growth, this we will explore the 10 best plants to grow with Lantana in containers, considering factors like size, color, and care needs.

Also Check: Best Fertilizer For Lantana Camara

What To Plant With Lantana In A Container? Find 10 Best

1. Petunias: A Colorful and Hardy Companion

Petunias make an excellent choice to pair with Lantana in a container due to their vibrant colors and low maintenance needs. These annuals come in various shades, from purples and reds to pinks and whites, which complement Lantana’s bright hues. Petunias thrive in full sun, similar to Lantana, and both plants enjoy well-drained soil, making them perfect for container arrangements.

Their trailing habit adds an extra dimension of beauty when cascading over the sides of a container. Petunias also benefit from frequent deadheading, a task that doesn’t interfere with Lantana’s low-maintenance nature. Additionally, their rapid growth makes them a good filler in containers, providing an instant floral display next to the slower-growing Lantana.

Pros:

• Color variety
• Easy maintenance
• Thrives in full sun
• Cascades well
• Low watering needs
• Quick-growing
• Drought-resistant

Cons:

• Annuals only
• Needs deadheading
• Can get leggy

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2. Geraniums: Adding Bold Foliage and Color

Geraniums are another great companion for Lantana, providing both bold foliage and striking flowers. Known for their resilience and long-lasting blooms, geraniums thrive in similar growing conditions to Lantana, making them a perfect fit for a container garden. They are hardy in full sun and require well-drained soil to thrive, which matches Lantana’s needs.

Geraniums’ vibrant flowers in colors like red, pink, and white contrast beautifully with Lantana’s multi-colored blooms, enhancing the container’s overall aesthetic. The compact growth habit of geraniums allows them to fit neatly alongside Lantana without overcrowding the container. Additionally, their fragrance is an added bonus when planted near Lantana in containers.

Pros:

• Bold flowers
• Fragrant foliage
• Compact growth
• Long-blooming
• Sun-loving
• Pest-resistant
• Low-maintenance

Cons:

• Can be finicky with watering
• May need pruning
• Sensitive to frost

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3. Sweet Potato Vine: Vibrant Foliage and Texture

Sweet potato vine is a perfect low-maintenance companion for Lantana. This plant’s trailing habit works wonderfully in containers, and it pairs well with the upright growth of Lantana. Available in a variety of colors, including purple, green, and chartreuse, sweet potato vine adds vibrant foliage that contrasts nicely with the colorful blooms of Lantana.

Sweet potato vines thrive in full sun to partial shade, and their fast-growing nature helps fill any empty space in the container, adding volume and texture. They are also drought-tolerant, making them an ideal companion for Lantana, which does not require a lot of water. This combination of low maintenance, vibrant colors, and texture makes the sweet potato vine one of the best choices for pairing with Lantana in a container garden.

Pros:

• Trailing foliage
• Low-maintenance
• Drought-tolerant
• Quick-growing
• Heat-resistant
• Vibrant colors
• Adds texture

Cons:

• Can become invasive
• Needs regular trimming
• Can overshadow other plants

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4. Verbena: A Hardy, Sun-Loving Companion

Verbena is a great choice when planting with Lantana in a container, as it shares similar sun and water requirements. This hardy plant blooms profusely in shades of purple, pink, red, and white, providing a consistent floral display. Verbena’s trailing nature allows it to spill over the container’s edge, creating a cascading effect that pairs well with Lantana’s upright growth.

In addition to its beautiful blooms, Verbena is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, making it an ideal companion for Lantana. It also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden. With minimal maintenance, Verbena offers a long-lasting display of color alongside the more intense blooms of Lantana.

Pros:

• Blooms year-round
• Attracts pollinators
• Drought-tolerant
• Full sun-loving
• Low-maintenance
• Cascading growth
• Heat-tolerant

Cons:

• Can be invasive
• Needs well-drained soil
• Requires occasional deadheading

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5. Marigolds: A Bright and Beneficial Addition

Marigolds are another vibrant and easy-to-grow companion plant for Lantana in containers. Their bright, yellow-orange blooms contrast beautifully with Lantana’s colorful flowers. Marigolds are known for their ability to repel pests like aphids and nematodes, which can be a beneficial trait when planting alongside Lantana.

They also thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, much like Lantana, making them a perfect match for container planting. Marigolds grow quickly and can fill in the gaps around Lantana, enhancing the overall visual appeal of your container. Their low maintenance and pest-repelling qualities make them a great choice for beginners or gardeners looking for hassle-free plants.

Pros:

• Pest-repellent
• Quick-growing
• Bright, bold blooms
• Easy to care for
• Sun-loving
• Long-lasting flowers
• Low-maintenance

Cons:

• Sensitive to cold
• Needs deadheading
• Can get leggy

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6. Lavender: Fragrant and Hardy

Lavender is a fragrant and hardy perennial that makes a great companion for Lantana. With its purple spikes of flowers and aromatic foliage, lavender contrasts beautifully with Lantana’s more vibrant hues. Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, which is a shared preference with Lantana.

Beyond its beauty, lavender attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which helps create a lively garden atmosphere. Additionally, lavender’s drought tolerance and low-maintenance nature make it a perfect companion for Lantana, which also enjoys minimal watering. Lavender’s ability to resist pests adds further value when planted next to Lantana in a container garden.

Pros:

• Fragrant blooms
• Drought-resistant
• Attracts pollinators
• Long-lived
• Low-maintenance
• Pest-resistant
• Sun-loving

Cons:

• Needs regular pruning
• Can get leggy
• Prefers well-drained soil

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7. Calibrachoa: A Compact and Colorful Partner

Calibrachoa, also known as “million bells,” is a compact and colorful plant that pairs beautifully with Lantana in containers. Its trailing habit and profusion of small, petunia-like flowers make it an excellent choice for adding more color and texture to the arrangement. Calibrachoa’s ability to tolerate full sun and its low maintenance make it a great companion to Lantana.

The small flowers of Calibrachoa come in a variety of colors, including purple, yellow, red, and white, which blend well with Lantana’s vibrant blooms. Its drought resistance and ability to bloom all season long make it a reliable choice for containers. Calibrachoa is also perfect for gardeners who want to add a cascading effect to their container arrangements without overcrowding the space.

Pros:

• Cascading growth
• Drought-tolerant
• Full sun-loving
• Colorful blooms
• Low-maintenance
• Long-blooming
• Easy to care for

Cons:

• Needs regular watering
• Sensitive to frost
• Can become leggy

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8. Zinnias: Vibrant and Easy to Grow

Zinnias are another wonderful plant to pair with Lantana in a container, providing vibrant blooms that complement Lantana’s colors. Known for their bright, daisy-like flowers in colors such as red, pink, and orange, zinnias are perfect for adding a bold, cheerful touch to any container arrangement. Zinnias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a natural fit with Lantana’s growing requirements.

Their low-maintenance care and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies make them a great addition to any garden. Zinnias’ upright growth habit allows them to complement the spreading growth of Lantana, creating a visually dynamic container arrangement. These plants also resist disease and pests, ensuring that both the Lantana and Zinnias stay healthy throughout the growing season.

Pros:

• Vibrant blooms
• Pest-resistant
• Low-maintenance
• Attracts pollinators
• Thrives in full sun
• Quick-growing
• Easy to care for

Cons:

• Sensitive to frost
• Needs deadheading
• Can get leggy

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9. Nasturtiums: Bold, Edible and Beautiful

Nasturtiums make a unique and beautiful companion for Lantana, especially with their edible flowers and vibrant colors. The trailing vines and round leaves of Nasturtiums contrast nicely with Lantana’s upright growth, creating an appealing visual balance in the container. They thrive in full sun and poor, well-drained soil, which matches Lantana’s needs.

In addition to their beauty, Nasturtiums also attract pollinators and can be used in salads, making them a dual-purpose plant for your container garden. Their ability to resist pests like aphids adds value when planted with Lantana. Nasturtiums’ low-maintenance nature and vibrant blooms make them a fun, edible addition to any container garden.

Pros:

• Edible flowers
• Pest-resistant
• Bright, bold blooms
• Attracts pollinators
• Low-maintenance
• Easy to grow
• Thrives in full sun

Cons:

• Needs poor soil
• Can become invasive
• Sensitive to frost

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10. Creeping Jenny: A Groundcover Delight

Creeping Jenny, a low-growing perennial, is a great groundcover plant that complements the height of Lantana in containers. This plant’s bright green foliage and trailing growth provide a beautiful contrast to the colorful blooms of Lantana. Creeping Jenny thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile companion plant for Lantana, which prefers full sun.

Its ability to spread quickly fills in any empty space, and its bright green leaves add texture and vibrancy to the container arrangement. Creeping Jenny also tolerates a variety of soil conditions, adding to its appeal as a hardy and adaptable plant to pair with Lantana. With minimal care and watering, Creeping Jenny makes a perfect, low-maintenance partner for Lantana in containers.

Pros:

• Groundcover plant
• Low-maintenance
• Bright green foliage
• Versatile in light
• Quick-growing
• Thrives in various soils
• Spreads well

Cons:

• Can become invasive
• Requires regular trimming
• Needs full sun for best color

What To Plant With Lantana In A Container  FAQs

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1. What plants grow well with Lantana in a container?

Lantana pairs well with a variety of plants that thrive in similar conditions, such as petunias, geraniums, sweet potato vines, verbena, and marigolds. These plants share Lantana’s preference for full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal companions in a container garden.

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2. Can I plant annuals with Lantana in a container?

Yes, annuals like petunias, marigolds, and calibrachoa work beautifully with Lantana in containers. These plants not only bloom alongside Lantana but also provide vibrant colors and a lush display all season long.

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3. Does Lantana need a companion plant in containers?

While Lantana can thrive on its own, companion plants can enhance its growth by filling in spaces, adding texture, and providing complementary colors. Additionally, some companions like marigolds and zinnias help attract pollinators and keep pests at bay.

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4. How much sunlight do Lantana and its companions need in a container?

Both Lantana and its companion plants generally require full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Plants like geraniums, verbena, and petunias thrive in these conditions alongside Lantana.

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5. What size container is best for Lantana and its companions?

For Lantana and its companion plants, choose a container that is at least 12-16 inches in diameter and has good drainage. This size allows enough space for both Lantana and its companions to grow and spread without overcrowding.

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6. Can I plant Lantana with perennials in containers?

Yes, you can plant Lantana with perennials like lavender and creeping Jenny. Perennials that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil make great companions, offering longevity and continuous growth alongside Lantana’s vibrant seasonal blooms.

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7. How often should I water Lantana and its companion plants in a container?

Lantana and its companions generally prefer to dry out a bit between waterings. Water the container when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering, as both Lantana and most companion plants like sweet potato vine and verbena are drought-tolerant.

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8. Can Lantana be planted with vegetables or herbs in a container?

While Lantana typically pairs well with flowers, some vegetables or herbs like basil or oregano could be planted with Lantana, especially in larger containers. However, it’s important to make sure that both the vegetables and flowers have similar sunlight and watering needs.

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9. How do I prevent Lantana from overcrowding its companions in a container?

To prevent overcrowding, choose companion plants with different growth habits—such as compact geraniums or trailing petunias—so they fill in without overshadowing Lantana. Regular pruning and deadheading also help keep the plants within their desired shape and size.

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10. Can I mix different colors of Lantana in the same container?

Yes, mixing different colors of Lantana in one container can create a stunning effect. Lantana blooms in a variety of shades, from yellow and orange to purple and pink, so combining them with contrasting flowers like petunias or marigolds enhances the visual appeal.

Conclusion

Pairing Lantana with the right companion plants in containers ensures a harmonious and visually stunning garden display.

Whether you’re looking for trailing plants, vibrant flowers, or low-maintenance options, each of the plants mentioned offers unique benefits that enhance Lantana’s beauty.

Choose companions based on growth habits, sun exposure, and maintenance needs to create a thriving container garden that’s both functional and beautiful. With these 10 best plant companions for Lantana, you’ll enjoy a dynamic and colorful container garden year-round