Botanical Name: Pentas lanceolata
Common Name: Pentas, Star clusters
Type of Plant: dicot: perennial
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape Upright, somewhat rangy perennial with a woody sub-structure; plant becomes covered with clusters of brightly colored star-shaped flowers
Height to 5'
Spread to 5'
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full sun; requires warm location for best performance
Soil prefers good drainage; may rot in waterlogged soils
Hardiness tender; zones 23 and 24 only; used as an annual in other zones
 
Morphology:
Leaves ovate to lanceolate, oppositely arranged, to 3 1/2" long, dark green and deeply veined above, lighter green, somewhat hairy beneath
Flowers tiny star-like flowers in red, magenta, pink or white, arranged in terminal corymbs throughout the warm season
Fruit tiny capsule
 
Propagation:
very easy from stem cuttings during the warm season
 
Usage:
widely used as an annual or perennial for dense flowers in ‘hot’ colors; works in tropical beds, perennial borders or as a container or specimen plant, sometimes even as a houseplant
 
Landscape Care:
Watering needs regular watering, not drought tolerant
Fertilizing balanced or low nitrogen fertilizer monthly during warm season
Pruning head back hard after danger of frost has passed; deadhead often
Pests/Diseases root rot where drainage is poor, cold damage is common
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Tropical Africa
Family: Rubiaceae

Notes:
 
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