Egyptian Starcluster Pentas lanceolata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PEN-tass lan-see-oh-LAY-tah
- Description
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Pentas can be grown as an herbaceous perennial in Zones 10 and 11, and as an annual in less temperate zones. It can also be grown as a houseplant. Its best flowering occurs in full sun, however, it will tolerate some shade. In its growing zones, it will be covered year-round with 3" dense clusters of star-shaped flowers.
It can be planted as a hedge or border plant. If grown and trimmed to form a hedge, flowering will be diminished, as this plant flowers on new growth.
Popular bedding plant with moderate to high drought tolerance. This plant is seldom damaged by deer. Hummingbirds are attracted to the red variety, their first choice in a garden.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites and aphids are insects that may affect this plant. Caterpillars may chew on the foliage.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Butterfly Cherry Red'
- 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom'
- 'New Look Pink'
- 'New Look Red'
- 'New Look Violet'
- 'New Look White'
- 'Starcluster Rose'
- 'Starla Deep Rose'
- 'Butterfly Cherry Red'
- 'Butterfly Cherry Red', 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom', 'New Look Pink', 'New Look Red', 'New Look Violet', 'New Look White', 'Starcluster Rose', 'Starla Deep Rose'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Butterfly Cherry Red'
- 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom'
- 'New Look Pink'
- 'New Look Red'
- 'New Look Violet'
- 'New Look White'
- 'Starcluster Rose'
- 'Starla Deep Rose'
- 'Butterfly Cherry Red'
- 'Butterfly Cherry Red', 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom', 'New Look Pink', 'New Look Red', 'New Look Violet', 'New Look White', 'Starcluster Rose', 'Starla Deep Rose'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pentas
- Species:
- lanceolata
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Arabian penninsula, eastern Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The 3" tubular star-shaped blooms
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 2-4" evergreen leaves have fine hairs on the underside.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stem is covered with fine hairs. Its typical form is one stemmed plant.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
