Herbal extract application on textile substrates is in great demand around the globe. In this study, a natural dye extracted from Lantana camara L. leaves' extract was tested to assess the ultra-violet protective properties on cotton fabric using direct dip dyeing technique. Extraction of phytochemicals was carried out using ethanol and aqueous solvents. Total phenolic content (TPC) quantification revealed that TPC of L. camara leaves' extracts were highest in ethanolic extraction as compared to aqueous extracts. The ultra violet protection factor (UVF) values ranged between good to excellent for the cotton fabrics. A cotton fabric treated in a solution containing cross linking agent showed a shade of light yellowish green. The colour fastness against light, washing, rubbing and perspiration of cotton fabric treated in extracted dye solution as well as treated with citric acid as cross-linking agent showed good to very good colour fastness properties (4–5). The results confirmed that natural dye from Lantana camara extract have potential for application in fabric dyeing and also helpful in producing UV protective fabric.