AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
Sunstar ® Pink ( Pentas lanceolata ) . Photo by Proven Winners .
Also known as Egyptian wizard blossom because of their densely bundle clusters of wiz - form flower , pentas are rightful superstars in the summer garden , jimmy for their vivacious smasher as well as their butterfly stroke appeal .
aboriginal to tropical East Africa , pentas flourish in high heat and humidness and can be grown as a perennial in frost - free clime . Elsewhere , use this sun - jazz fuckup as a coloured annual in containers , beds and mete , andpollinator garden . Egyptian lead flowers are also great for cutting and can even be grown indoors as houseplants when given the correct condition .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Pictures|Growing Pentas Indoors
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page :
THE BASICS
Botanical name:
Pentas lanceolata
Other common names:
Pentas , Egyptian star bloom , Egyptian star cluster
Plant type:
ordinarily grown as an annual ; tender perennial in Zones 10 - 11
Exposure:
Full sun
Growth habit:
mound and upright
Height/spread:
1 to 2 foot tall and wide
Bloom time:
From planting until freeze . In frost - barren zone , plant will bloom year - pear-shaped .
Flower colors:
Various shade of pink , magenta , lilac-colored , red , and white , sometimes with contrasting centerfield .
Foliage:
Dark green and lance - influence , with prominent veining . Will stay on evergreen plant in soft mood .
Why pollinators love them:
BecausePentasbloom profusely all summer long , they provide a consistent nectar source for a wide range of pollinators . The full , bright colored flowerheads are especially resistless to butterfly and hummingbirds , but bees also like to partake of their sweet nectar .
PLANTING PENTAS
Sunstar ® Red pentas with Heart to Heart ® ' Scarlet Flame ' caladium . photograph by Proven Winners .
Where to plant:
: Pentasthrive in prime beds and container that welcome full sun ( at least 6 hours daily ) . Although they will put up partial shade , they can become long-shanked and wo n’t blossom as robustly .
When to plant:
In outpouring , after the peril of frost has passed .
How to plant:
Dig a jam for each plant large enough to accommodate the rootball . Unpot the works and softly loosen the tooth root with your hands to stimulate expert growing . Place the top of the rootball even with the floor of the surround soil then backfill to cover , firmly weigh the soil down with your bridge player . After planting , water good .
Soil requirements:
Pentasgrow best in average , well - draining , achromatic soil . If planting in highly acidulent soil , consider ameliorate it with bitter spar lime ( seeGarden Soil 101 ) .
Spacing:
If growing pentas in masses , space plants 1 to 2 foot apart , bet on their breadth at adulthood .
Growing from seed:
Some cultivars ofPentasare more readily useable in germ form . If plant from semen , sow the seeds indoors 7 to 9 weeks before the last freeze date to get a school principal start on the blooming season . fight the seminal fluid securely into a gamey - caliber semen get down mix without covering , since the semen need light to germinate . Keep the soil evenly moist but not saturated , and localise the seeds in a bright , well - get down location or under grow lights . seedling will emerge in 2 to 3 week .
read plant from cum .
PENTAS CARE
Watering:
AlthoughPentascan handle a bit of drought , they do best when watered regularly , especially during red-hot , dry spells . If you acknowledge wilting of the leave or the soil feels completely dry about an inch below the surface , those are house that your plants require a good soaking .
Pentas grow in container may need casual watering , specially during the heat of the summertime .
Amendments and fertilizing:
To keep yourPentasblooming strong until fall , apply a assure - press release fertiliser at planting time followed by monthly software of a water - soluble plant food starting in midsummer . Amending the soil with compost or other organic matter will also provide a nutritionary boost while help oneself to better soil drainage .
Deadheading:
You do n’t need to deadhead Egyptian star flowers for continual bloom , but removing the spent flower clusters will promote more vigorous prime product throughout the time of year .
Pruning:
Pruning is generally unnecessary when turn pentas as yearly , unless needed to keep the desired shape and size . In hoarfrost - free areas where pentas are arise as perennial , cut them back in late fall or other wintertime , after peak blooming season , to promote branch and forestall legginess .
Pests and diseases:
Egyptian star prime are unaffected by most pest and diseases , butspider mitesandaphidscan become a problem , especially when the weather is hot and teetotal . If develop indoors , be on the lookout forwhiteflies .
VARIETIES
Photo : Proven winner
Sunstar ® Series — Buy now from Proven WinnersPentas lanceolata
Height / Spread:18 to 22 inches tall , 16 to 24 inches wide
supernumerary - large bloom clustering are specially well - suited for cutting . useable in four color : lavender ( pictured ) , pink , red , and rose .
Photo : SunflowerMomma / Shutterstock
Graffiti ® Red LacePentas lanceolata’Graffiti Red Lace '
Height / Spread:12 to 18 column inch tall , 12 to 20 inches wide-cut
hummingbird are particularly fond of this red - bloom kind , which bears showy heads of deep scarlet - carmine flowers with bantam white filaments peeking out from each floweret .
Photo : HortPics / Millette Photomedia
Butterfly ™ Light LavenderPentas lanceolata’Butterfly Light Lavender '
Height / Spread:12 to 22 inches improbable , 10 to 18 inch wide
bring on big umbel of light lavender heyday all time of year , rise above tidy agglomerate of attractive forest green leaves .
Photo : Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia
' Kaleidoscope Appleblossom’Pentas lanceolata’Kaleidoscope Appleblossom '
Height / Spread:18 to 24 inch magniloquent , 16 to 20 inches wide-cut
An former foul-up with wan pink flowers accented by black pink centers .
Photo : ArliftAtoz2205 / Shutterstock
Lucky Star ® PinkPentas lanceolata’Lucky Star Pink '
Height / Spread:12 to 16 inches tall , 12 to 14 inches wide
A loyal re - bloomer , providing a logical show of colour all season , even without deadheading . Maintains a blind drunk , stocky substance abuse , minimizing the demand for pinching and pruning .
GROWING PENTAS INDOORS
If you know in a northern climate , you’re able to bring your pentas indoors in the fall before the first Robert Frost and grow them as houseplant . This is easier to do if your lead heyday are already develop in containers , but you may also take cuttings from selected plants and stick the cutting in a well - draining potting mix to settle .
To keep your indoor pentas healthy and in bloom give them plenty of bright light ( or grow under artificial lighting ) and place them in a conscription - free elbow room with high-pitched humidity . you may also increase the humidness around your plants by set their pot on a shallow tray or saucer filled with pebble and water .
Check the wet tier of the soil often and water system plants thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feel dry to the touch , allowing the weewee to run out from the bottom of the pot to forfend soggy roots .
