Botanical Name: Lantana camara ‘Bandana® Red’ 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: Bold True-Red Flower Clusters, 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® Red’

‘Bandana® Red’ is the kind of Lantana that does not whisper in the garden, it announces itself. The flower clusters are deeply saturated, often glowing with subtle orange undertones that give the red warmth and dimension rather than a flat tone. In full sun, especially during peak Summer heat, the color stays bold and vivid instead of fading or browning at the edges. From a distance, it reads clearly and confidently, making it one of the best choices for high-impact plantings where visibility matters. Along driveways, at entrances, or in large open beds, it creates a strong visual anchor that pulls the entire design together.

As part of the Bandana® Series, this variety was bred for controlled growth and reliable performance. It forms a dense, mounded plant with tight branching that keeps the center full instead of hollowing out midseason. Older Lantana varieties sometimes sprawled or became leggy by late Summer, but ‘Bandana® Red’ maintains structure and symmetry without constant trimming. The nonstop bloom habit ensures fresh clusters continue forming without deadheading, keeping the plant looking energetic from Late Spring through Fall. It performs equally well in patio containers, mixed planters, and in-ground beds, offering flexibility without sacrificing polish.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our Zone 8a trials, ‘Bandana® Red’ has been tested through long stretches of humid heat, reflected hardscape warmth, and inconsistent rainfall. We have planted it in beds that receive full, unfiltered afternoon sun, and it continued blooming steadily even when surrounding plants began to show stress. Once established, it handles dry periods with confidence, and the foliage remains relatively clean and healthy throughout the season. That consistency is exactly what we look for when choosing varieties to grow in volume.

We have also used it in mass plantings where a strong, unified color statement was needed. In one installation, we lined a sunny walkway with repeating blocks of ‘Bandana® Red,’ and by midseason it created a ribbon of color that felt intentional and bold. Butterflies worked the blooms throughout the day, and bees were constant visitors, adding movement to the display. In containers, it pairs beautifully with trailing white or purple companions, creating dramatic contrast without losing its identity. For gardeners who want a true red that performs hard through heat and keeps its shape without fuss, ‘Bandana® Red’ consistently earns its place.

Bandana® Red vs. Other Lantana

One of the boldest members of the Bandana® Series, Red delivers rich, saturated red blooms on a compact, well-branched plant that holds its shape even in peak summer heat. Compared to Cherry or Cherry Sunrise, Red offers a more solid, uninterrupted color rather than blended tones. It also differs from larger red Lantanas like Dallas Red and Miss Huff, by staying shorter and more uniform, making it easier to integrate into mixed beds and containers. 

Bandana® Red is more robust and visually commanding than Lucky® or Little Lucky™ reds, which tend to stay lower and more compact overall. Lucky Series plants are excellent for high-density plantings, but Bandana® Red shines when you want stronger mid-border presence. For gardeners who want intense color without aggressive growth, Bandana® Red is a standout choice.