•Status in Florida: Cultivated, non-native
•Size at Maturity: Heirloom Pentas typically grows as a small to medium-sized perennial shrub, reaching heights of about 1 to 3 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet wide.
•Phenology: Heirloom Pentas is a perennial shrub with lance-shaped leaves and clusters of small, star-shaped flowers.
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Bloom Season: Heirloom Pentas produces flowers throughout the warm season, with peak bloom occurring in summer and fall.
•Deciduous, Dioecious, Evergreen: Evergreen
•Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
•Soil Texture: Well-drained, fertile soil; Heirloom Pentas prefers soil with good drainage.
•Soil pH: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)
•Moisture Requirements: Moderate moisture; Heirloom Pentas prefers evenly moist soil but can tolerate brief periods of drought once established.
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low tolerance
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Heirloom Pentas is commonly used as a bedding plant, border plant, or container plant in landscapes and gardens. It can also be grown in mixed plantings or used as a cut flower.
•Maintenance Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to promote continued blooming and maintain a tidy appearance. Prune back leggy growth as needed to encourage bushier growth.
•Considerations: Heirloom Pentas is valued for its long-lasting, colorful flowers, which attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is relatively low-maintenance and tolerant of heat and humidity.
•Deer and/or Rabbit Resistance: Moderately resistant; deer and rabbits may occasionally browse on Heirloom Pentas foliage, but it is not typically preferred by these animals.
•Edible: Heirloom Pentas is not typically consumed by humans and is not considered edible.
•Medicinal Uses: Heirloom Pentas is not known for significant medicinal uses in humans.
•Toxicity to Pets: Heirloom Pentas is generally considered non-toxic to pets, but ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.