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’

‘Samantha’ stands apart from most Lantanas because its beauty begins with the foliage. The leaves are boldly variegated with rich green centers and bright golden-yellow margins, creating color and contrast even before the plant begins flowering. When the clusters of golden-yellow blooms rise above the foliage, the effect becomes even more striking, giving the plant a layered look that draws the eye in both containers and landscape beds. Even from a distance, the foliage alone provides brightness and texture that many other Lantanas simply cannot match.

‘Samantha’ grows with a naturally upright, controlled habit that forms a well-structured mound rather than sprawling across the ground. This tidy growth makes it especially useful in borders, mixed containers, and planting areas where clean shape and balance are important. The plant holds its form nicely through the growing season, allowing it to serve as a dependable structural element in sunny designs.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials here in the Upstate South Carolina heat, ‘Samantha’ has proven to be both durable and consistently attractive through the long, hot stretch of Summer. I remember planting it in a mixed container near one of our walkways where customers pass constantly, and the foliage alone caught people’s attention before they even noticed the flowers. The bright leaf margins seemed to glow in the sun, giving the container a finished look even between heavy bloom cycles.

What I especially appreciate about this variety is how well it behaves in a design. Some Lantanas spread aggressively and can overwhelm neighboring plants, but ‘Samantha’ stays much more contained while still providing strong color and pollinator activity. The foliage remains attractive throughout the entire season, which means the plant continues contributing to the planting even during brief pauses in flowering. It pairs beautifully with bold Lantana colors, ornamental grasses, or softer silver foliage plants, adding contrast and brightness while butterflies and bees continue visiting the flowers all Summer long.

Samantha vs. Other Lantana Varieties

Samantha stands apart from most of our other Lantanas, 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.