Types of Pentas

Pentas Lanceolata

• The type of pentas grown in home gardens is the Penta lanceolota. The word "penta" comes from the Latin meaning "five," for the five petals of the flowers. Pentas are related to the tropical plant ixora, as well as to gardenia and coffee plants. Pentas are used as mass plantings and also as patches of color in green borders. Pentas can grow in partial shade or full sun, but require at least four hours of direct sunlight per day. They require well-draining soil and frequently fertilization. Penta lanceolata is also called Egyptian star flower.

Pentas "Graffiti" Series

• The Graffiti series of pentas offers smaller plants than the older cultivars, which grow to 10 inches tall. This size makes them the perfect plant for the front of flower gardens, along borders or in containers.These pentas can withstand hot, humid climates well. They are self-branching, which avoids the need to pinch back stems. Graffiti pentas are available in red, pink, violet and white.

Pentas "Kaleidoscope" Series

• The Kaleidoscope series of pentas are intermediate between the smaller dwarf varieties and the tall, older types. Growing to 18 inches tall, these pentas come in deep pink to lavender shades that bloom well in hot weather. Kaleidoscopes are full, many-branched plants that become leggy in low sunlight.

Pentas "New Look" Variety

• The pentas "New Look" is a compact, dense plant that only grows to 8 to 10 inches tall. The size makes it a great bedding plant and good in containers, blooming throughout the summer despite the heat. The pentas "New Look" type is available in dark reds, deep pinks and white. These also make good houseplants in sunny windows.

Pentas "Northern Lights" Variety

• The Northern Lights type of pentas offers better tolerance to cool temperatures for northern areas, as well as an ability to grow in low pH soils that are common in those regions. Northern Lights grow to 20 to 24 inches tall for areas at the back of gardens. Flowers come in an attractive pale lavender color that bloom successively before old flowers have faded.