Pentas lanceolata Red - Star Clusters

Pentas lanceolata Red 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 difficult garden specimens in most California gardens if they are used as perennials but work well as annuals. Pentas red is tender at 32° F. I grow the Star Clusters in frost free shade gardens. In the greenhouse they tend to get whitefly. Whitefly is much less of a problem in the gardens. Pentas lanceolata Red prefers to get regular moisture but can not survive soggy soil.