Pentas Pentas lanceolata
Introduction
This upright evergreen shrub or tall perennial becomes
3 to 4 feet tall and is decorated throughout most of the year
in hardiness zones 9 through 11 with many 3-inch-wide, dense
clusters of long-tubed, star-shaped flowers. Available in white,
pink, red, and lavender, these blossoms are extremely popular
with butterflies and are long-lasting as cut flowers. Hummingbirds
enjoy the red-flowered selections. They often visit this flower
sooner than any other in the garden. Plants fertilized regularly
during the growing season will continue to grow and bloom
all during the warm months. It grows year round in central
and south Florida. Leaves and stems are covered with fine hairs,
and leaves have prominent veins on the undersides.
General Information
Scientific name: Pentas lanceolata
Pronunciation: PEN-tuss lan-see-oh-LAY-tuh
Common name(s): Pentas
Family: Rubinaceae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11
Planting month for zone 8: May; Jun; Jul
Planting month for zone 9: Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul;
Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: container or above-ground planter; hanging basket; cut flowers;
accent; attracts hummingbirds; attracts butterflies; hedge;
small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); medium-sized
parking lot islands (100-200 square feet in size); large parking
lot islands (> 200 square feet in size)
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness
range
Description
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: ovate; obovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: semi-evergreen
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable
Flower
Flower color: pink; lavender; white; purple
Flower characteristic: spring flowering; summer flowering; fall
flowering; flower season is longer in zones 9-11
Fruit
Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: not applicable
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: usually with one stem/trunk
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
Plants can be clipped as a hedge but flower production will suffer.
They are best left unclipped so flowers are free to develop
on new growth. Flowers last 3 to 5 days after they are cut
and brought indoors. Plant on 18- to 24-inch centers for mass
plantings. Tolerant of a wide-range of soil types, Pentas prefers
fertile, well-drained soils, regular moisture, and will grow
quickly in full sun or light shade. Plants will flower fairly
well with as little as 2 to 3 hours of sun each day. Plants
can be dug, cut back, and stored in a container of soil over
the winter in climates that receive freezing temperatures.
Water occasionally to keep roots from drying out and replant
and fertilize in the spring. Heavy mulch applied over the crown
of plants cut back to the ground will help plants overwinter
in hardiness zone 8. In most years, plants regrow from the
partially buried stems in the spring. Dwarf cultivars are available
that grow to about 14- inches-tall. Propagation is by softwood
cuttings, which root easily in soil or water, or by seed.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern, but occasionally mites.
Caterpillars sometimes chew on the foliage.
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