Egyptian starcluster - environmental conditions, pruning,

Pentas lanceolata, also popularly called Egyptian starcluster, is an annual or perennial plant, originally from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. This species belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which also includes ornamental species such as Gardenia or species with economic value such as the Coffee Plant. It is a decorative plant thanks to its flowers. The flowers form at the top of the branches and are arranged in bouquets. They are made up of 5 petals, variously colored: red, pink, purple, white. In optimal growth conditions, it can bloom from late spring to autumn. The Egyptian starcluster can be found in gardens, along curbs or in parks, but it can also grow in flowerpots or containers.

Egyptian starcluster – varieties and cultivars

‘Butterfly Light Lavender’: it forms bouquets of pink flowers. The plants have a compact appearance, reaching a height of approximately 35 cm;
‘Graffiti Bright Red’: it forms bouquets of intense red flowers. The plants are shorter, about 30 cm high;
‘Graffiti Lipstick’: a compact plant, with pink flowers;
‘Graffiti Red Lace’: the flowers are red, with a white center;
‘Graffiti White’: it has large, white flowers. It reaches a height of 30 cm;
‘Kaleidoscope Appleblossom’: It blooms throughout the summer. The flowers are intense pink. It is a taller variety, reaching a height of 45 cm;
‘Northern Lights Lavender’: a tall variety, up to 125 cm in height, that forms purple flowers, like lavender. It is suitable for areas with lower temperatures.

Environmental conditions

Light. It represents an important factor in the flowering process. The absence of light will lead to the elongation of the plants and the lack of flowers. The plants prefer to be placed in full sun, but tolerate some shade in the afternoon.

Temperature. These species prefer high temperatures and warm environments. They cannot withstand temperatures below 10 ℃. During winter , it is recommended to move the plants indoors.

Soil. It prefers a fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH.

Egyptian starcluster – care

Watering. The plants need a moderate humidity in the soil/substrate, so that it can remain damp. The Egyptian starcluster can also tolerate dry conditions, but only for a short period of time.

It is important that the watering is done at the base of the plant, so that the flowers and leaves remain dry.

Fertilizing. A regular fertilization of the plants with special fertilizers for flowering plants is recommended. Fertilizers with a higher phosphorus content encourage the formation of flowers, while nitrogen encourages the development of the vegetative part.

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Propagation. It is done through seeds or cuttings. The seeds can be sown in protected areas approximately 2 months before the last spring frost. The seeds will not be covered with soil because they need light to germinate.