Pentas lanceolata is a Florida perennial that is an attractive plant with red, pink, or white blooms.  They are a great source of food for butterflies and hummingbirds.  Most Pentas grow to about 2 or 3 feet high and 15 inches wide and love the sun.  They do need to be protected from freezing weather, but if affected, they will come back from the roots in the spring.  When watered in at planting, they do well with rainfall but may need water during dry periods.  I love to use them all over the garden to attract butterflies and add color to borders.

This article was written by Master Gardener Volunteer Rita Fletcher under supervision of the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator and Residential Horticulture Agent Anne Yasalonis.

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call, or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu.

If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.

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