Botanical Name: Lantana camara ‘Bandana® Lemon Zest’ Common Name: Lantana Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 9–11); Grown as an Annual Elsewhere Size: 12–18" Tall × 18–24" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Mounding, Well-Branched Habit Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Flowering and Color) Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Sandy Soils Water Needs: Low; Drought Tolerant Once Established Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Nitrogen Features: Bright Lemon-Yellow Flower Clusters with Clean Color, Compact Habit, Exceptional Heat Tolerance, Pollinator Friendly Uses: Containers, Borders, Mass Plantings, Pollinator Gardens, Low-Maintenance Landscapes

Patent: ✔ Patented Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Lantana Growth & Care Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Lantana ‘Bandana® Lemon Zest’

Lantana ‘Bandana® Lemon Zest’ produces fresh, citrus-yellow flower clusters that remain bright and clear throughout the growing season. The crisp lemon tone offers a lighter, more luminous look than deeper gold varieties, making it especially effective for summer containers and sunny borders that need lift and visual freshness. Even in intense heat, the color stays clean rather than muddy or faded.

As part of the Bandana® Series, this selection was bred for compact size, uniform growth, and nonstop flowering. It delivers excellent color saturation and strong branching without becoming oversized or leggy, resulting in a polished, mounded plant that performs consistently in both containers and landscape beds.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Bandana® Lemon Zest’ has been extremely dependable in full sun and high heat, continuing to bloom steadily without the need for deadheading. It maintains a tidy, well-shaped habit and handles drought well once established.

We especially appreciate its design flexibility. The lemon-yellow blooms pair beautifully with purples, blues, reds, and silvers, making it easy to incorporate into a wide range of color schemes. Butterflies and bees visit frequently throughout the growing season, adding pollinator value to its bright, refined appearance.

Bandana® Lemon Zest vs. Other Lantana Varieties

Bandana® Lemon Zest is one of the most energetic-looking varieties in the Bandana® Series, featuring bright yellow blooms accented with hints of chartreuse that give it a fresh, zesty appearance. Compared to standard Bandana® Yellow or Gold, Lemon Zest feels lighter and more luminous, especially in full sun. It pairs exceptionally well with darker varieties like Red or Cherry, where the contrast is striking. 

While Lucky® and Little Lucky™ varieties are known for compactness and early color, Bandana® Lemon Zest stands out for its brightness and mid-season vigor. Little Lucky™ Yellow tones are tighter and more controlled, but Lemon Zest delivers a bolder, more luminous look in the landscape. Compared to Chapel Hill Yellow, Lemon Zest stays far more contained, offering color pop without the aggressive spreading habit.