Family: Rubiaceae
Common name: Pentas, Egyptian star flower, Star cluster
Known to bloom profusely in warm tropical weather, these Pentas flowers are a wonderful addition to your garden. They come in a variety of colors ranging from white, pink, magenta, purple and deep red. Some variants also come in mixed colors like white and pink, or pink and magenta.
Pentas plants can grow to a height of 6 feet with a spread of about 3 feet. Flowers always bloom in small oval clusters all over the plant, making it a showpiece for your garden. The flowers have a long tube and five distinct petals, which gives it the name Pentas.
These plants need direct sunlight for over 6 hours to bloom well, and regular fertilization. Well-drained soil and regular nourishment will help the plant to produce flowers in abundance.
Pentas flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and humming birds. So having couple of them in your garden will invite these natural pollinators, promoting better pollination for your vegetable garden. These are low maintenance plants and can continue to grow and bloom for many years.
Propagation is from seeds or stem cuttings.
Photo Courtesy: love4gardening.com
