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Pentas Pentas lanceolata

Phonetic Spelling
PEN-tass lan-see-oh-LAY-tah
Description

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:
  • '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', 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom', 'New Look Pink', 'New Look Red', 'New Look Violet', 'New Look White', 'Starcluster Rose', 'Starla Deep Rose'
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#fall interest#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#fantz#butterfly friendly#perennial#annual
 
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', 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom', 'New Look Pink', 'New Look Red', 'New Look Violet', 'New Look White', 'Starcluster Rose', 'Starla Deep Rose'
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#fall interest#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#fantz#butterfly friendly#perennial#annual
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem is covered with fine hairs. Its typical form is one stemmed plant.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer