Basil vs Lantana

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

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Lamiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Lantana

Lantana camara

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Basil (Zones 2-11)

Lantana (Zones 8-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 8–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Basil	Lantana
Scientific Name	Ocimum basilicum	Lantana camara
Family	Lamiaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	herbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	4'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	India, Southeast Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Basil

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lantana

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Basil

✓Pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.
✓Harvest from the top down.
✓Don't refrigerate fresh leaves — they turn black.
✓Plant after all frost danger has passed.

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 Basil if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 8–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View BasilProfile →View LantanaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Basil and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Basil grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 11.

Do Basil and Lantana have the same sun and water needs?

Basil needs full sun 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, Basil or Lantana?

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

Are Basil and Lantana deer resistant?

Lantana is deer resistant, but Basil is not. If deer are a concern, Lantana is the better choice, or protect Basil with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Basil or Lantana?

Both Basil 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	Basil	Lantana
Scientific Name	Ocimum basilicum	Lantana camara
Family	Lamiaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	herbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	4'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	India, Southeast Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Basil

✓Pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.
✓Harvest from the top down.
✓Don't refrigerate fresh leaves — they turn black.
✓Plant after all frost danger has passed.

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 Basil if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 8–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Basil and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Basil grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 11.

Do Basil and Lantana have the same sun and water needs?

Basil needs full sun 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, Basil or Lantana?

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

Are Basil and Lantana deer resistant?

Lantana is deer resistant, but Basil is not. If deer are a concern, Lantana is the better choice, or protect Basil with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Basil or Lantana?

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