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full sun (6 or more hours of sun hitting the leaves per day. South-facing window, no obstructions. Under grow lights, keep them 4-8 inches away for 12-14 hours) to very bright indirect light (3-6 feet from a south or west window, or right next to an east window. Under a grow light, 6-10 inches away works well). Needs at least 3 hours of direct sun (right in the window where sun actually hits the leaves. A strong grow light 4-6 inches away can substitute) indoors to bloom well - place within 1 foot of a south-facing window. low light (more than 8 feet from a window, or a north-facing room. A grow light 10-12 inches away works great if your windows are not cutting it) produces leggy, non-flowering plants.Light
Keep soil consistently moist but well-draining, about as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce slightly in winter. Overwatering leads to root rot; drought causes bud drop.Water
Adaptable to a wide range of humidity from average household levels up to 95%. A pebble tray or misting (note: misting does not actually raise humidity meaningfully. A pebble tray or humidifier is more effective) helps in dry winter conditions but is not critical.Humidity
Prefers warm temperatures (70-85F / 21-29C) between 60°F and 85°F (16 to 29°C). Goes dormant below 55°F and is killed by frost. Bring container plants indoors before temperatures drop in autumn.Temperature
easyDifficulty
Pentas lanceolata plant

Egyptian Star Cluster

Pentas lanceolata

Easy

Egyptian Star Cluster produces dense, flat-topped clusters of tiny five-pointed star-shaped flowers in red, pink, white, or lavender, and it blooms almost non-stop in warm conditions. Your plant works equally well as a houseplant in a sunny window or as a patio container plant in summer, and it has the practical advantage of being a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds without being toxic to your pets. In warm climates it can reach 4 to 6 feet as a shrubby perennial; in cooler zones it performs as a vigorous annual.

Care Guide

How to grow Egyptian Star Cluster

Light

full sun (6 or more

Water

Keep soil consistently moist but

Humidity

95%

Temperature

Prefers warm temperatures (70-85F /

Soil

Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.

Propagation

Stem tip cuttings of 4

Common Problems

Insufficient light is the main

Did You Know

Fun Facts

The genus name Pentas comes from the Greek word for 'five,' referring to the five-pointed star shape of each individual flower — and the species name lanceolata means 'lance-shaped,' describing the leaves rather than the blooms.

Pet Safety

Pet safe

Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. The fine leaf hairs may cause mild skin irritation in highly sensitive individuals during heavy pruning, but the plant poses no serious toxicity risk.

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