Pentas lanceolata
Star cluster, Egyptian star cluster
Also known as Pentas zanzibarica var. rubra
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 0.9m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is really quite a hearty sub-shrub that can reach up to 2.5m (8ft) height in its tropical home of East Africa and The Yemen. Since is it by no means hardy it is grown as a pot plant. There are a number of showy cultivars. The species has dark-green leaves with impressed veining. The flowers form large, flattish, heads of starry flowers. The cultivars come in a wide range of colours from white through shades of pink to strong-magenta and lavender tints. In Britain and Ireland it is likely to reach a height of around 1.8m (6ft) with 90cm (3ft) spread.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Winter · Outdoors
Mist the plant daily
Soft or rain water is preferred as it doesn't mark the foliage. Don't mist when the plant is in sunshine or the foliage could be scorched.
Mist the plant daily.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Pinch out growing tips
On young plants pinch out foliage tips to encourage a pleasant and bushy growth habit.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Mist the plant in warm weather
Revive plants in warm or hot weather by misting the foliage, preferably using soft or rain water which doesn't mark the foliage. Don't mist when the plant is in full sun. The plant can be misted twice daily if you notice the process revives it.
If leaves are covered in water drops when sun is on them, the droplets can act as little magnifying glasses and cause foliage scorch.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Winter - late · Planting
Trim the plant
Trim the plant to give it a general tidy. This includes removing any lengthy or awkward shoots that make the plant look visually less attractive. Remove any spent flower heads at the same time.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.