Pentas lanceolata
Egyptian star
A tropical evergreen woody-based perennial or sub-shrub, to 2m high, with glossy, hairy, lance-shaped green leaves with deeply impressed veins. Dome-shaped clusters of flowers, with long tubes and spreading, star-shaped petals in shades of pink, purple and white, are produced from spring to autumn
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink Purple White | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, may be grown outdoors in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. In colder areas, grow in a temperate greenhouse, or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter, in loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and sharp sand. Minimum temperature 7°C
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown at 16-18°C in spring, or by softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Pruning group 9 in late winter. Plants grown under glass may need restrictive pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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