Pentas Lucky Star® ‘Graffiti White’
Pentas lanceolata Lucky Star® ‘Graffiti White’
Characteristics
- Bloom: White (Showy)
- Sun: Full Sun (Late Afternoon Shade)
- Water: Medium to High
- Maintenance: Low
- Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
- Texas Superstar® Plant
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-11, Pentas Lucky Star® ‘Graffiti White’ grows easily in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates part shade, but best flowering in full sun. Best in organically rich, fertile soils. Outside Zone 10-11, grow in the ground as bedding annuals that are replaced in the garden each spring or in pots/containers as frost-tender perennials that are overwintered indoors. During the growing season, water regularly (allow soils to dry somewhat between waterings) and feed monthly. To overwinter, bring pots/containers inside before first frost to a bright, cool (59-50°F) location and reduce watering. Pentas Lucky Star® ‘Graffiti White’ may also be grown as a houseplant in a sunny room with high humidity.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pentas lanceolata, commonly called Egyptian star cluster or star flower, is native from Yemen to East Africa. It is a tropical woody-based perennial or subshrub that grows 3-6’ tall in its native habitat, but more typically to 12-16” tall in beds or containers. It is a many-branched, somewhat sprawling plant that features 4” wide rounded clusters of star-shaped flowers over a long summer to frost bloom. Elliptic to lanceolate dark green leaves are up to 6” long.
Problems
Watch for aphids and spider mites. Whiteflies can be particularly troublesome on indoor plants.
Garden Uses
Beds and borders. Containers. Houseplant. Also may be effectively gown indoors under artificial lights.