Lantanas need full sun for the best flowering results. Lantanas are adaptable plants that can flourish in part shade or full sun, but they definitely prefer full sun. If deprived of direct sunlight, the number of flowers they produce will drop significantly, and they will be more susceptible to certain diseases, from powdery mildew to diseases caused by insects. These flowers are not picky about soil, but are guaranteed to struggle if deprived of full sun.
How Many Hours of Sun Do Lantanas Need?
Lantanas require 6 hours of full sun per day to flower profusely and look their best. However, if temperatures are not above 100℉ (38℃), 8 hours or more of direct sunlight will not harm your lantanas.
- Lantanas need 6 hours of full sun each day.
- In climates where temperatures remain above 100℉ (38℃) for extended periods, too much sun exposure can harm lantanas.
- In many cases, the perfect combination is morning sun and afternoon shade.
If you live in a very hot climate, your lantanas can be harmed by overexposure to the sun. The best way to avoid this when temperatures is to position your lantanas where they will receive the majority of their sunlight in the morning and then shade in the afternoon.
Can Lantanas Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
Lantanas prefer full sun. However, if they are placed in bright, indirect light, these flowers won’t die or fail to bloom. However, lantanas can be somewhat unpredictable when grown in indirect sunlight. For example, they may grow and thrive, but may flower in an erratic pattern, with some blooms opening and some failing to fully open.
- Lantanas can grow in indirect sunlight.
- Your flowers may not feature their usual colors if they are kept from full sun.
- Lantanas may grow unpredictably in indirect light.
If they don’t receive direct sunlight, your lantana plants may not go through their transitional color changes. Many lantanas change color from spring to summer and then again towards autumn. It is not unusual to have a flower start out yellow and then deepen to orange and even red by the end of the season. Without full sun, though, these color changes may not develop.
Can Lantanas Grow in Shade?
Lantanas can grow in shade, but will likely encounter problems. They may produce far fewer blooms than if they were grown in full sun, or they may not flower at all. Gray mold and powdery mildew are also potential hazards. Powdery mildew doesn’t usually kill lantanas, but it can distort the color of both the leaves and the blooms, and eat holes through both. Gray mold, on the other hand, can destroy the plant by rotting away the foliage and causing the flowers to die.
- Lantanas can grow in shade, but the results won’t be satisfactory.
- Sooty mold or powdery mildew often attacks lantanas grown in shade.
- Lantanas won’t produce maximum blooms if grown in shade.
- Lantanas grown in shade may not flower at all.
Sooty mold may also attack lantanas when they are left in shade. This disease comes from whiteflies, which carry the mold to the leaves of the plant. Typically, a professional solution must be used to remedy this problem, as it will not go away on its own. The biggest sign of sooty mold is drooping stems. Since lantanas fail to thrive in shade anyway, the best way to avoid all these problems is to plant them in full sun.
What Happens if Lantanas Don’t Get Enough Sun?
Lantanas may not bloom properly if they do not get enough sun. In some cases, buds will come out but the flowers will never open. Other problems associated with lack of direct sunlight include the foliage of your lantanas growing “leggy.” This means that the stems may grow abnormally tall and at strange angles in their quest for sun.
- Lantanas deprived of sun may grow leggy.
- Buds may form but flowers may never open when direct sunlight is not provided.
- Foliage overgrowth may occur if lantanas fail to get adequate full sun.
Overgrowth of foliage, in general, may also occur, which simply means you will have a lot of leaves and tall stems with few flowers. Ultimately, to bloom properly, lantanas must get enough sun.
Can Lantanas Get Too Much Sun?
Although it is not common, lantanas can get too much sun. Although lantanas do need full sun, all day sun can actually harm your plants. Some signs of overexposure to the sun are younger leaves experiencing stunted growth, and mature leaves becoming discolored.
- Lantanas can get too much sun.
- Young leaves may experience stunted growth if overexposed to direct sunlight.
- Older leaves may become discolored.
- Brown, yellow, or even black spots may develop if lantanas get too much sun.
- Leaves curling upward may indicate the need for some shade.
If your lantanas are sunburned, they may develop yellow, brown, or even black spots. If the leaves of your lantanas are curling upwards, this may also be a sign of too much bright sun. Consider replanting your lantanas in a shadier area to prevent further sun damage.
How Much Sun Do Lantanas Require?
Lantanas need full sun to flower properly. Despite this, they are still a beginner-friendly plant. Lantanas are adaptable and can thrive in various conditions.
- Lantanas can grow in full sun or part shade.
- Lantanas prefer at least 6 hours of full sun.
- The number of flowers will be reduced if lantanas are deprived of sun.
- Powdery mildew and insects may attack lantanas that don’t get enough sun.
- Lantanas adapt to different soil conditions, but must have full sun to produce flowers.
If you want to add an explosion of color to your garden and attract butterflies and hummingbirds while you’re at it, go ahead and plant some lantanas this season. You’ll be amazed by the results and the flowers that change color throughout the season.
