Star Cluster 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.
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
