Cosmos vs Lantana

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

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lantana

Lantana camara

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cosmos (Zones 2-11)

Lantana (Zones 8-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 8–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Lantana
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Lantana camara
Family	Asteraceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained
Height	5'	4'
Spread	2'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mexico	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Cosmos

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lantana

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

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 Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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 CosmosProfile →View LantanaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cosmos and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

Cosmos needs full sun and low water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Cosmos or Lantana?

Cosmos grows taller at 5' compared to Lantana at 4'. Cosmos spreads 2' while Lantana spreads 4'.

Are Cosmos and Lantana deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Lantana?

Both Cosmos 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	Cosmos	Lantana
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Lantana camara
Family	Asteraceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained
Height	5'	4'
Spread	2'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mexico	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

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 Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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 Cosmos and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

Cosmos needs full sun and low water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Cosmos or Lantana?

Cosmos grows taller at 5' compared to Lantana at 4'. Cosmos spreads 2' while Lantana spreads 4'.

Are Cosmos and Lantana deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Lantana?

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