Evergreen shrub or groundcover in mild climates (can lose its leaves in colder winters). Trailing branches to 6 feet long. Leaves are dark green, oval, and coarsely toothed on the edges; the leaves often turn reddish or purple in cold weather. Rosy lilac flowers are tiny and grow in clusters up to 1.5 inches wide. Crushed foliage produces a pungent odor.

Near the guest houses it is pruned into a teardrop shape. This idea was suggested to W.R. Hearst by Norman Rotanzi in 1946. Hearst liked the effect and told Norman to trim about half the lantana in the teardrop fashion and to leave the other half natural.