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Native Plant Society of Texas

Velvet Lantana

Lantana velutina

Other common name(s):

Velvet Shrubverbena

Family:

Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Southern Texas Plains
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

4
to
6
ft.

Spread

to
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Light Requirement

Water Requirement

Native Habitat

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Violet

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Unknown

Wildlife Benefit

Unknown

Maintenance

Very little information for this plant. More will be added as it becomes avialable.

Comments

Blooms February-June
Previous Scientific Name(s): Lantana frutilla, Lantana hirta

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Fill small pots or seed trays with a well-draining seed starting mix. Water the mix thoroughly before sowing the seeds. Gently press the seeds into the moist soil, ensuring they are lightly covered. You can space the seeds a few inches apart for optimal growth. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Place the pots in a bright location, ideally with some shade. With a little patience, your seeds will begin to sprout after a few weeks. Once the seedlings have a few true leaves, you can transplant them into larger pots or outdoors in a prepared bed. After the Lantana velutina finishes blooming, you’ll find small, black seeds within the dried flower heads. Gently collect these precious seeds and store them in a cool, dry place. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-lantana-velutina/
Stem Cutting Fill a small pot with a well-draining rooting mix. Poke a hole in the soil and insert the cutting, ensuring that at least two nodes are buried. Use four wooden prop sticks and place them around the perimeter of the potting container. Put the clear plastic bag over the cutting, with the wooden supports ensuring the bag does not touch the stem cutting. Keep the rooting mix consistently moist, using a misting bottle or watering gently. Place the potted cutting in a shady location where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight. Give it some patience, and within a few weeks, you’ll see new roots emerging. Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem from your Lantana velutina plant. Use a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears to make a 4-6 inch cutting, ensuring it has at least two sets of leaves. Remove the leaves from the bottom inch or so of the stem, exposing the bare stem. Apply rooting hormone to the cut end of the stem to promote root development. This step is not mandatory, but it can be helpful for success. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-lantana-velutina/ 2) https://www.thespruce.com/add-a-florida-touch-with-lantana-plants-2132142#toc-propagating-lantana
Seed Stratification Store dried seeds in a sealed container in a refrigerator until you can put them in a small pot for germination. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours. Fill small pots with soilless potting mix, place one or two seeds in the center of each pot, and cover with the medium. Place the pot with the seeds in individual and sealable plastic bags. Keep the pots of seeds moist and in an environment where the temperature is between 70-75ºF. Remove the bag as soon as you see seedlings. This should take about a month. Plant outdoors or in an outdoor container. Pop seeds out of the pods, rinse them with water and dry them on paper towels for a couple of days. https://www.thespruce.com/add-a-florida-touch-with-lantana-plants-2132142#toc-propagating-lantana

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason