Pentas
Pentas lanceolata
Pentas Plant Features
Imagine flocks of colorful butterflies and hummingbirds visiting your garden all summer long! That's what you'll get when you add pentas to your garden plan. Pentas develop sparkling star-shaped flowers all summer long in bold hues of red, white, lavender, purple, or pink. Pentas is a sun lover that grows 18 to 36 inches tall. In most parts of the country, pentas is considered an annual, but in very warm regions, pentas is perennial in nature. Pentas is relatively deer resistant. Hardy from zones 10-11, but frequently grown as an annual in cold-winter areas.
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Pentas Growing Instructions
Plant pentas in a sunny location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of bright light a day. The plants will grow in almost any soil type, but prefer a well-drained soil that doesn't remain soggy after heavy rains. Pentas is a tender perennial so don't plant until all frost danger has passed. Use pentas in borders by itself or in mixed containers. Once established, pentas is a wonderfully carefree annual or perennial flower.
Pentas is not recommended for human or animal consumption.
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Light
Outside: Sun
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Colors
Pink, Purple, Red, White
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Water
Medium water needs
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Special Features
Attracts butterflies
Attracts hummingbirds
Deer/rabbit resistant
Super-easy to grow
Complement your Pentas with these varieties:
Mix Angelonia in a large pot with Pentas for an interesting mix of color and texture.
Taller varieties of Marigold pair well with Pentas.
Varieties: Our Favorites
Falling Star Pink Bicolor
Pentas 'Falling Star Pink Bicolor'
Falling Star Pink Bicolor pentas is the first trailing variety we've found, making it a top pick for hanging baskets, spilling out of container gardens or window boxes, or as a groundcover. It grows 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
Falling Star Rose
Pentas 'Falling Star Rose'
A trailing variety, Falling Star Rose pentas is lovely in hanging baskets and window boxes, and also makes a fantastic groundcover. It grows 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
Graffiti Lipstick
Pentas ‘Graffiti Lipstick’
Lipstick-red flowers practically cover this colorful bedding and container plant. The flowers of ‘Graffiti Lipstick’ are star-shaped and dense, so the color is simply stunning. Enjoy ‘Graffiti Lipstick’ in hot, sunny spots where it will add bright color and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Flowers for Florida®
Graffiti Red Lace
Pentas ‘Graffiti Red Lace’
A showy pentas, ‘Graffiti Red Lace’ grows a compact 8 inches tall, yet bears loads of flowers. This easy-to-grow, 12-to-15-inch-tall pentas will lure butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. The red flower color is deep and rich.
Flowers for Florida®
Graffiti Violet
Pentas ‘Graffiti Violet’
Beautiful, deep purple flowers smother this 12-inch tall pentas. The starry blooms of ‘Graffiti Violet’ are nectar packed and will attract butterflies who enjoy lighting on their flat flowers. Enjoy blooms from spring through fall. It's one of the best heat-tolerant plants for hot, sunny gardens.
Flowers for Florida®
Honey Cluster Pink
Pentas 'Honey Cluster Pink'
Honey Cluster Pink pentas was a top performer in our Trial Garden, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds like crazy. It grows 18 inches all and wide.
Starcluster Lavender
Pentas ‘Starcluster Lavender’
Bred to take hot weather, ‘Starcluster Lavender’ grows 22 inches tall and features starry blooms in a rich lavender hue. Plants are well branched and make great cut flowers.
Starcluster Rose
Pentas 'Starcluster Rose'
Starcluster Rose pentas offers soft rose-pink flowers that hummingbirds love. It holds up to heat and flowers nonstop all summer. Starcluster Rose pentas grows 24 inches tall and wide.
Starcluster White
Pentas 'Starcluster White'
Heat-loving Starcluster White pentas performs in just about every type of summer weather, showing off its white clusters of flowers. It grows 24 inches tall and wide.
Starla Red
Pentas 'Starla Red'
Starla Red pentas features vivid-red flowers on a plant hummingbirds adore. Heat- and humidity-resistant, it grows 18 inches tall and wide.