Question
I live in Arizona and have a number of lantana plants.  One, in particular, is growing like mad.  I would like to know if I can cut some of this particular plant, re-root it and plant it in another location.  If I can re-root it, do I have to first keep the cutting in water to grow the roots or will putting it in soil do the trick?  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Dale,
Lantana is a woody plant in your area, and these type of plants usually don't root in water. You can give it a try with a few stems, but most such shrubs do best when rooted using a rooting hormone, available on line or through the mail.

You will need to cut small pieces about 4 or 5 inches long from the ends of the stems, but not the newest growth in the spring. Since your spring is earlier than ours, the newest growth is probably good to cut now or in June.  Remove all but the two or four leaves at the end of the stem. Make a fresh cut just below where your removed the lower leaves, and dip this end (about 2" long) in rooting hormone. Place these cuttings in seed starting soil or vermiculite that you've already gotten wet (put it in pots with drainage holes so that the excess moisture runs out.)  Place these pots in a bright place out of direct sun - keep the mix damp at all times. You'll know that they've rooted when the cuttings start to grow.

It is unlikely that this plant will root by just sticking pieces in the ground, but why not try it?  Sometimes things succeed against all odds.

I hope this helps,
C.L.