Pentas lanceolata Pearl White - Star Clusters
Pentas lanceolata Pearl White is spectacular in the tropical garden and a great nectar source for the California Dogface Butterfly and many others in the butterfly garden. But Pentas plants are tender and therefore difficult garden specimens in most California gardens if they are used as perennials but work well as annuals in all but frost free gardens. Pentas lanceolata Pearl White is tender at 32° F. I grow the Star Clusters in frost free shade gardens. In the greenhouse they tend to attract whitefly. Whitefly is much less of a problem in the gardens as the whiteflies are bothered by wind. Pentas prefers to get regular moisture but can not survive soggy soil.