Velvet Lantana
Lantana achyranthifolia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Velvet Lantana (Lantana achyranthifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
24"–72" H × 24"–36" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, NM, TX
Pollinators
butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Velvet Lantana is a drought-tolerant native shrub with soft, fuzzy leaves and clusters of small flowers that bloom from spring through summer. This hardy perennial grows 2-6 feet tall and provides reliable color in hot, dry conditions with minimal water needs.
In an HOA neighborhood
Velvet Lantana takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
This plant is particularly valuable for butterflies, serving as both a nectar source and host plant for several species. The long blooming season provides consistent food for pollinators from March through August.
Common questions
- How much sun does Velvet Lantana need?
- Velvet Lantana grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Velvet Lantana bloom?
- Velvet Lantana blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Velvet Lantana native?
- Velvet Lantana (Lantana achyranthifolia) is native to AZ, NM, TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Velvet Lantana attract?
- Velvet Lantana draws butterflies.
- Is Velvet Lantana HOA-friendly?
- Velvet Lantana takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Velvet Lantana? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz