Balloon Flower vs Lantana

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Campanulaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Lantana

Lantana camara

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Balloon Flower (Zones 3-8)

Lantana (Zones 8-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 8–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Lantana
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Lantana camara
Family	Campanulaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	4'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Balloon Flower

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lantana

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

Lantana

✓Thrives in heat and poor soil.
✓Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
✓Prune hard in spring in warm climates.
✓Can be invasive in tropical areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Lantana if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 8–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 8–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Balloon FlowerProfile →View LantanaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 8.

Do Balloon Flower and Lantana have the same sun and water needs?

Balloon Flower needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Lantana?

Lantana grows taller at 4' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Lantana spreads 4' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Lantana deer resistant?

Yes, both Balloon Flower and Lantana are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Lantana?

Both Balloon Flower and Lantana have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Lantana
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Lantana camara
Family	Campanulaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	4'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

Lantana

✓Thrives in heat and poor soil.
✓Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
✓Prune hard in spring in warm climates.
✓Can be invasive in tropical areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Lantana if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 8–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 8–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 8.

Do Balloon Flower and Lantana have the same sun and water needs?

Balloon Flower needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Lantana?

Lantana grows taller at 4' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Lantana spreads 4' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Lantana deer resistant?

Yes, both Balloon Flower and Lantana are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Lantana?

Both Balloon Flower and Lantana have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.