Pentas lanceolata

It's easy to understand why pentas are so highly regarded. Butterflies seem to be drawn magnetically to them; plants take the heat of the Southwest and Southeast; and showy blooms remain spring through autumn.

Africa is the original home of Pentas lanceolata. Dark-green, lance-shaped, somewhat furry and deeply veined leaves provide a lush backdrop for prolific clusters of five-petaled flowers. These may be purple, lavender, red, white, pink or shades in between. Flowers, which appear spring through autumn, are held in terminal clusters and self-deadhead. They're attractive to butterflies, and the red and dark-pink varieties draw hummingbirds.

Depending on the variety, growth habit may be shrublike and upright to about 3 feet, or low and mounding. Plants that overwinter can become woody at the base. Older varieties are often sprawling, and tall stems will topple over. Newer varieties, however, are being bred to be more compact, making them ideal in urns and planters.

One variety, 'Nova,' is a Georgia Gold Medal winner for 1999.

Culture notes

In warm weather, P. lanceolata grows fast and stays in bloom constantly. Where winters are not too severe, pentas is a perennial. In other areas, treat it as an annual or container plant that can be overwintered in a greenhouse or other protected area.

Pentas likes well-worked, neutral, moderately fertile soil that retains moisture well. It tolerates some shade, but blooms better and is generally more robust in sun. Pentas requires average moisture -- regular watering when in growth and less at other times.

Propagation of non-protected varieties is easy by stem cuttings in spring or summer. Patented varieties are available as vegetative cuttings and seed from numerous suppliers. Plant one liner per 4- to 6-inch pot, three liners per 1-gallon container. Allow six to eight weeks from liner to a finished 4- to 6-inch container, seven to 10 weeks for a finished gallon.

Pinch at four weeks to encourage fullness. A plant growth regulator such as Cycocel may be used if necessary.

Provide moderate fertility -- 175-200 parts per million nitrogen constant liquid feed from a complete fertilizer.

Night temperatures should be about 65F, 80F during days. Temperatures below 50F inhibit flower development.

In areas where the plant will overwinter, cut it back after blooming ceases in late fall.

Pentas mixes well with any number of warm-weather annuals and ornamental grasses. Potential companion plants include buddleia, ixora and lantana.

Whiteflies, mealybugs and mites may be a problem on pentas. Use a labeled chemical control.

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Specifics

Name: Pentas lanceolata

Common names: Star flower, Egyptian star-cluster.

Family: Rubiaceae.

Hardiness: Hardy in frost-free areas (USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11). Use as a warm-weather annual or houseplant with full-sun exposure in other zones.

Dimensions: 1-4 feet tall; 1 1/2-3 feet wide.

Description: Semi-tropical perennial shrub or border plant with prolific flower clusters and lush, dark-green foliage.

Uses: Border, mixed bed, container, greenhouse, indoors, edging. Great in the butterfly garden!

- Kevin Neal

Photo courtesy of Benary Seed