Verbenaceae
Lantana camara
Lantana
S
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Lantana camara is a perennial woody shrub typically growing 2-5 metres tall, forming dense thickets. It features rough, aromatic, broadly ovate leaves with serrated edges. Small, tubular flowers bloom in dense clusters, often displaying multiple colours like yellow, orange, red, and pink, frequently changing hue with age, and are followed by small, round fruits that ripen from green to black.
Where it works in Kilifi
**CAUTION: Lantana camara is a highly invasive species in Kenya and should generally not be planted.** It tolerates full sun and a variety of soil conditions, including poor and salty soils, making it resilient in coastal environments. However, its aggressive growth severely outcompetes native vegetation and poses a significant ecological threat.
Growing notes
This fast-growing shrub is highly drought-tolerant once established and can bloom almost continuously in warm, frost-free regions. All parts of the plant, particularly unripe berries and leaves, are toxic if ingested by humans or livestock, and direct contact can cause skin irritation.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: ncsu.edu, tsusinvasives.org, pfaf.org, wikipedia.org, plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org, colostate.edu. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.