Star Cluster Pentas lanceolata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PEN-tass lan-see-oh-LAY-tah
- Description
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The Egyptian Star Flower is a tropical, flowering annual or perennial shrub or subshrub with a spreading habit in the coffee family. It can be grown as an herbaceous perennial in Zones 10 and 11 (south of Florida), or as an annual or houseplant in cooler zones. In its native east African environment, it can grow to 6 feet high, but 2 feet high with an equal spread is more likely in other environments. It produces clusters or violet to pink, star-shaped blossoms from spring into fall.The genus name means a series of five referring to the flower parts being in fives instead the more typical four. The species name means lance- or spear-shaped.
Egyptian Star flower does best well-drained, organically rich, soil and sited in full sun, which encourages blossoms; however, it will tolerate some shade. It propagates easily from seed started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before last frost date. Once planted, water consistently and allow soils to dry between watering. In climates north of USDA zone 10, the plant is typically grown indoors as a houseplant in a sunny room with high humidity.
Egyptian Star Flower has moderate to high drought tolerance and is seldom damaged by deer. Hummingbirds are attracted to the red variety.
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'
Dense, terminal clusters of star-shaped, violet-pink blooms. - 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom'
Heat-tolerant, pink, star-shaped flower clusters, 18 to 24 inches tall. - 'New Look Pink'
Compact, star-shaped pink flowers, grows 12 to 24 inches tall. - 'New Look Red'
Compact subshrub, red star-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. - 'New Look Violet'
Compact, star-shaped violet flower clusters, 18 to 36 inches tall. - 'New Look White'
Compact, white, star-shaped flowers, grows 8 to 14 inches tall. - 'Starcluster Rose'
Clusters of rose-pink, star shaped blooms. - 'Starla Deep Rose'
Clusters of rose colored, star-shaped flowers, grows 1 to 2 feet tall.
- '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:
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- 'Butterfly Cherry Red'
Dense, terminal clusters of star-shaped, violet-pink blooms. - 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom'
Heat-tolerant, pink, star-shaped flower clusters, 18 to 24 inches tall. - 'New Look Pink'
Compact, star-shaped pink flowers, grows 12 to 24 inches tall. - 'New Look Red'
Compact subshrub, red star-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. - 'New Look Violet'
Compact, star-shaped violet flower clusters, 18 to 36 inches tall. - 'New Look White'
Compact, white, star-shaped flowers, grows 8 to 14 inches tall. - 'Starcluster Rose'
Clusters of rose-pink, star shaped blooms. - 'Starla Deep Rose'
Clusters of rose colored, star-shaped flowers, grows 1 to 2 feet tall.
- '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:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Arabian penninsula and Yemen to east Africa.
- Distribution:
- Introduced into Florida, Columbia, some Pacific and Caribbean islands.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Spreading
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of tubular, star-shaped, 3 inch bloom from May to September, but if grown as an annual in warm climates, blooms can be year round, dense and prolific.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 2 to 4 inch 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
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
