AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
Sunstar ® Pink ( Pentas lanceolata ) . pic by Proven Winners .
Also known as Egyptian principal flowers because of their densely packed clusters of star - forge flower , pentas are straight superstars in the summer garden , prized for their vibrant mantrap as well as their butterfly entreaty .
aboriginal to tropical East Africa , pentas flourish in eminent heat and humidity and can be grown as a perennial in frost - free climate . Elsewhere , employ this Sunday - loving bloomer as a colorful annual in containers , beds and borders , andpollinator gardens . Egyptian whizz flowers are also great for cutting and can even be grown indoors as houseplant when yield the right status .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Pictures|Growing Pentas Indoors
On this varlet :
THE BASICS
Botanical name:
Pentas lanceolata
Other common names:
Pentas , Egyptian star flower , Egyptian adept cluster
Plant type:
Usually grown as an annual ; attender perennial in Zones 10 - 11
Exposure:
Full sun
Growth habit:
Mounded and upright
Height/spread:
1 to 2 feet magniloquent and encompassing
Bloom time:
From planting until frost . In hoarfrost - gratuitous zones , plants will bloom class - rotund .
Flower colors:
Various shades of pinkish , Battle of Magenta , lilac , red , and white , sometimes with counterpoint center .
Foliage:
glowering unripened and spear - shaped , with prominent veining . Will rest evergreen in mild climates .
Why pollinators love them:
BecausePentasbloom extravagantly all summertime long , they cater a consistent nectar source for a wide range of pollinator . The blanket , brilliantly bleached flowerheads are especially resistless to butterfly and hummingbirds , but bees also like to partake of their sweetened nectar .
PLANTING PENTAS
Sunstar ® Red pentas with Heart to philia ® ' Scarlet Flame ' caladium . Photo by Proven Winners .
Where to plant:
: Pentasthrive in flower bed and containers that receive full sunlight ( at least 6 hours daily ) . Although they will support partial nuance , they can become leggy and wo n’t bloom as robustly .
When to plant:
In spring , after the risk of rime has passed .
How to plant:
Dig a gob for each plant large enough to accommodate the rootball . Unpot the flora and gently loosen the root with your hands to stimulate good growth . Place the top of the rootball even with the spirit level of the skirt soil then backfill to spread over , steadfastly pressing the soil down with your hands . After planting , water soundly .
Soil requirements:
Pentasgrow well in mean , well - draining , neutral territory . If planting in highly acidic soil , consider amend it with bitter spar lime ( seeGarden Soil 101 ) .
Spacing:
If growing pentas in masses , outer space plants 1 to 2 animal foot apart , depending on their breadth at adulthood .
Growing from seed:
Some cultivars ofPentasare more readily usable in come form . If planting from seed , sow the seeds indoors 7 to 9 weeks before the last frost date to get a capitulum start on the blooming time of year . Press the seeds firmly into a high - tone seeded player startle intermixture without covering , since the seeds require light to germinate . Keep the soil evenly moist but not saturate , and place the seeds in a bright , well - lit position or under grow lights . seedling will emerge in 2 to 3 week .
study plants from seeds .
PENTAS CARE
Watering:
AlthoughPentascan handle a bit of drought , they perform well when watered regularly , especially during red-hot , dry spells . If you acknowledge droop of the leaves or the soil feels completely dry about an inch below the open , those are signs that your plants need a good drenching .
Pentas grown in container may ask daily lacrimation , specially during the heat of the summer .
Amendments and fertilizing:
To keep yourPentasblooming strong until fall , apply a hold - release fertilizer at planting clock time followed by monthly applications of a water supply - soluble fertiliser starting in June 21 . amend the soil with compost or other organic matter will also provide a nutritional encouragement while helping to improve soil drainage .
Deadheading:
You do n’t need to deadhead Egyptian star flowers for continual bloom , but removing the spend peak clusters will further more vigorous flower production throughout the season .
Pruning:
Pruning is in general unnecessary when grow pentas as annual , unless needed to maintain the desired frame and size . In frost - devoid areas where pentas are grown as perennial , cut them back in late fall or early wintertime , after peak blooming season , to encourage branching and keep legginess .
Pests and diseases:
Egyptian star flowers are unaffected by most pest and disease , butspider mitesandaphidscan become a job , especially when the weather is hot and wry . If growing indoors , be on the lookout forwhiteflies .
VARIETIES
picture : Proven victor
Sunstar ® Series — Buy now from Proven WinnersPentas lanceolata
Height / Spread:18 to 22 in improbable , 16 to 24 inch wide
Extra - large flower clusters are especially well - suited for make out . Available in four colors : lavender ( depict ) , pink , red , and rose .
Photo : SunflowerMomma / Shutterstock
Graffiti ® Red LacePentas lanceolata’Graffiti Red Lace '
Height / Spread:12 to 18 in marvellous , 12 to 20 inches wide
hummingbird are particularly fond of this carmine - blossom variety , which bears flamboyant heads of deep scarlet - red flowers with bantam snowy filament peeking out from each floret .
photograph : HortPics / Millette Photomedia
Butterfly ™ Light LavenderPentas lanceolata’Butterfly Light Lavender '
Height / Spread:12 to 22 inches marvellous , 10 to 18 inches full
Produces large umbels of short lavender blossom all season , rising above tidy pitcher’s mound of attractive wood green leaves .
Photo : Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia
' Kaleidoscope Appleblossom’Pentas lanceolata’Kaleidoscope Appleblossom '
Height / Spread:18 to 24 in marvellous , 16 to 20 inch all-encompassing
An former bloomer with pallid pink flowers accented by dark pink centers .
Photo : ArliftAtoz2205 / Shutterstock
Lucky Star ® PinkPentas lanceolata’Lucky Star Pink '
Height / Spread:12 to 16 inch tall , 12 to 14 in wide
A fast re - bloomer , providing a reproducible show of semblance all season , even without deadheading . Maintains a pixilated , compact habit , minimizing the pauperization for pinching and pruning .
GROWING PENTAS INDOORS
If you live in a northerly climate , you may play your pentas indoors in the tumble before the first frost and uprise them as houseplant . This is easier to do if your superstar flowers are already grow in containers , but you may also take cuttings from selected plant and stick the thinning in a well - draining pot premix to root .
To keep your indoor pentas goodly and in bloom give them plenty of bright light ( or grow under artificial inflammation ) and place them in a draft - complimentary room with gamy humidness . you may also increase the humidness around your plants by setting their pots on a shallow tray or saucer filled with pebbles and piss .
contain the wet degree of the territory often and body of water plants thoroughly when the top column inch or so of filth feel ironic to the tinge , allowing the water to drain from the bottom of the pot to avoid soggy ancestor .
