pentas flowers

Pentas Growing And Care Guide

Pentas is also known as Pentas lanceolata. Due to the unusual star-shaped blossoms, it is also known as the “Egyptian Star Flower.” When fully grown, this shrub can reach a height of 4 feet and can range in height from 18 to 36 inches. The Rubiaceae family, which also includes well-known ornamentals like gardenias and important commercial crops like coffee, includes the genus Pentas, species lanceolata. Pentas are annuals that may be grown everywhere; in growth zones 9 and above, the plants may even become perennials.

What are Pentas?

East Africa’s wild Pentas is a tropical import. Pentas typically grow to a height of 24 to 36 inches, but perennialized plants in frost-free zones can grow to four feet tall or even more. This makes them the perfect size for the midst of the summer border. The five-petaled blossoms of Pentas plants grow in 3-inch clusters and resemble other butterfly favorites like sedum, milkweed, and Queen Anne’s lace. The dark green foliage is slightly fuzzy. 

  • Latin name: Pentas lanceolata
  • Other names: Egyptian Star Cluster
  • Native to: Africa
  • Invasiveness: No
  • Tenderness: Herbaceous Perennial 
  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Average needs
  • Soil: Fertile with good drainage
  • Hardiness zone: Zones 6 through 11
  • When to plant: Early spring
  • Spacing: 1 to 2 feet
  • Plant height: 24–36 inches
  • Bloom period: Summer
  • Time to maturity: 3 months
  • Container friendly: Yes
  • Fertilizer: Balanced
  • Toxicity: Non-toxic
  • Drought tolerant: Yes
  • Deer resistant: Yes
  • Pest resistant: No

How to grow Pentas

Under the right growing conditions, Pentas can bloom continuously, so giving them a little weekly attention can keep them flourishing.

The finest blooms on Pentas plants come from at least 3 hours of direct sunlight. Lack of sunshine will cause plants to swell and grow leggy. Although they can tolerate some afternoon shade, plants prefer full sun. Pentas prefer a soil pH in the region of 6.0, which is somewhat acidic. If your soil is on the alkaline side, adding compost or leaf mold to the soil will make it more acidic.

Pentas require constant irrigation to remain healthy; maintain soil moisture at a level comparable to that of a wrung-out sponge. Pentas may survive in dry environments, although plants under drought stress are more prone to spider mite outbreaks. To avoid ugly brown stains on the leaves, do not water the plants overhead frequently. Egyptian star clusters are tropical in origin and like hot, humid weather to survive.

During seasons of active development, fertilize Pentas once each month with a mixed flower fertilizer. The best fertilizers are those that release nutrients gradually over the course of the growing season. More phosphorus will promote the production of blossoms, whereas more nitrogen will promote the growth of leaves.

Growing Pentas in containers

Pentas grow in tubs or containers. The Pentas can be grown as a houseplant by amateurs with high ambient light levels, but indoor plants may be plagued by whiteflies. Prior to the first frost, bring plants indoors or take cuttings of your preferred species. Overwintering plants is best done in a cool, well-lit area. Keep indoor plants healthy by adding an additional source of light, and by raising the moisture with something like a chippings-filled tray.

When to start Pentas seeds

Pelletized seeds should be sown in seed starting medium without being covered. At 75°F, keep the soil moist. Seedlings appear after 14 to 21 days. However, you can also try planting new Pentas seeds stored from previous year’s flowers or start softwood cuttings obtained early during the growing season. Many gardeners select grafts to start in the garden. The seeds shouldn’t be covered with soil because they need light to germinate.

When to plant Pentas 

Pentas can be grown from seed, but if you would like them to blossom all summer, you must start them indoors 7 to 9 weeks ahead of the last anticipated frost in your location.

How to collect Pentas seeds

Allowing fading leaves to stay on the bush until the seed is developed will allow you to harvest the Egyptian star flower’s seeds to propagate new plants. 

Let the seeds dry while they are on the plant. Make sure the plant from which you are harvesting the seeds is a plant that has grown to a height of at least one or two feet at maturity.

Wildlife attracted by Pentas

The plant has a successful track record in gardens. The brilliant red, pink, and purple nectar-rich flowers develop in clusters throughout a protracted flowering season, acting as a butterfly beacon. The butterfly proboscis can easily access clusters of numerous shallow blooms, allowing the bugs to quickly dip into a variety of flowers. Consider including this plant in a landscape area that you want to be humming with activity because bees also enjoy them. Hummingbirds also sip the nectar of these flowers.

Common problems

The latest Pentas cultivars have disease resistance and dwarf versions ideal for containers and boundary borders. For gardeners looking to fill a sizable flowerbed on a tight budget, the “Butterfly” series is simple to cultivate from seed. Large flower heads are found on compact mounding plants in the “Graffiti” series. Early bloomers, “Kaleidoscope Appleblossom” Pentas feature pale pink and rose on the same flower. The “New Look” series, which creates plants that stand up straight and don’t flop, can help gardeners in rainy climates flourish. Try ‘Northern Lights,’ which still produces light lilac flowers in cool temps, if your growing season is short.

How to deadhead Pentas

Plants are “deadheaded” when their wasted blossoms are removed. The act of plucking the blooms from many plants after they have faded encourages more blooms on them that season than would otherwise happen with no such plant care. Pentas reveal their shrubby traits and start to get lanky after one growing season in frost-free growing regions. When flower output is at its lowest in January, trim the plants to a height of six inches. The branches of the plant may grow so woody after several seasons that it is worthwhile to completely replace them. No trimming is required while cultivating an annual for a season, however, regular deadheading will maintain the plants blooming fruitfully.

How Tall Does Pentas Grow

They are upright, bushy plants that reach heights of 18 inches and a width of 10 inches. The bushes produce 11/2 inch tubular, waxy, star-shaped flowers in the colors of white, purple, rose, red, or salmon from summer through October. Bright green and delicately haired, the leaves are.

Mayukh Saha
Freelance Writer
Mayukh is a Content Marketer and Social Media Manager with over 5 years of experience in the industry. Mayukh believes in the power of content; how it can positively impact lives, scale businesses and touch people. In his spare time Mayukh likes to read about latest tech trends and loves to travel in the nature. You can reach him at [email protected].