Coleus vs Lantana

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

Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Lamiaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Lantana

Lantana camara

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Coleus (Zones 10-11)

Lantana (Zones 8-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Lantana
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Lantana camara
Family	Lamiaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	2'	4'
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Coleus

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lantana

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

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 Coleus if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

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 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View ColeusProfile →View LantanaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

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

Coleus needs 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, Coleus or Lantana?

Lantana grows taller at 4' compared to Coleus at 2'. Lantana spreads 4' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Lantana deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Lantana?

Both Coleus 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	Coleus	Lantana
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Lantana camara
Family	Lamiaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	2'	4'
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

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 Coleus if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

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 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

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

Coleus needs 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, Coleus or Lantana?

Lantana grows taller at 4' compared to Coleus at 2'. Lantana spreads 4' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Lantana deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Lantana?

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