Botanical Name: Lantana camara ‘Samantha’

Common Name: Lantana

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 9–11); Grown as an Annual Elsewhere

Size: 18–24" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Upright to Mounded Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Flowering and Foliage 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: Yellow-Variegated Foliage, Bright Golden-Yellow Flowers, Excellent Heat Tolerance, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Borders, Accent Plantings, Mixed Beds, Containers, Foliage Contrast

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

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

More About Lantana ‘Samantha’

Lantana ‘Samantha’ is best known for its striking variegated foliage, featuring bold yellow margins that add color and contrast even when the plant is not in peak bloom. Bright golden-yellow flower clusters rise above the foliage, creating a vibrant two-tone effect that stands out in both containers and landscape beds.

Unlike spreading lantanas such as New Gold or Chapel Hill Yellow, ‘Samantha’ maintains a controlled, upright habit, making it ideal for borders and accent roles where structure matters. Its foliage-driven appeal makes it especially valuable in mixed plantings, where it adds texture and brightness alongside solid-green companions.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Samantha’ has proven to be a reliable, heat-tolerant performer that holds its color well through the toughest summer conditions. The variegated foliage remains attractive all season, even during brief lulls in flowering. We especially like using ‘Samantha’ as a focal point or contrast plant. It brings visual interest without spreading aggressively, pairs beautifully with both bold and neutral Lantana colors, and consistently attracts pollinators with minimal maintenance required.

Samantha vs. Other Lantana Varieties

Samantha stands apart from most of our other Lantana Selections thanks to its bold yellow-variegated foliage, which provides color even when flowers aren’t the main focus. Compared to Dallas Red and Miss Huff, Samantha is more ornamental and foliage-driven, offering visual interest beyond bloom alone. Its growth habit is compact and tidy, making it feel more intentional and designed than the wilder, more free-form types. Among the three, Samantha is the most distinctive from a texture and foliage standpoint.

Compared to the Bandana® Series, Samantha trades some flower density for standout leaf color, while Bandana varieties focus on uniform bloom and structure. Against the Lucky™ and Little Lucky™ Series, Samantha offers similar compactness but with added foliage contrast rather than pure floral color. It also contrasts sharply with New Gold and Chapel Hill Yellow, which spread aggressively, whereas Samantha remains controlled and accent-oriented.