Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Penta Plant Problems
Penta Plant Problems. Penta plants (Pentas lanceolata) are herbaceous perennials or annuals prized for their brightly colored clusters of star-shaped flowers. Hardy in US Department of Agriculture growing zones 8 through 11, and perennials in zones 10 and 11, they are known for their tough nature and resistance to drought conditions and diseases....
Penta plants (Pentas lanceolata) are herbaceous perennials or annuals prized for their brightly colored clusters of star-shaped flowers. Hardy in US Department of Agriculture growing zones 8 through 11, and perennials in zones 10 and 11, they are known for their tough nature and resistance to drought conditions and diseases. Still, they can suffer from a few minor problems.
Climate Problems
Pentas grow best in warm conditions. In the fall and winter, freezing temperatures can kill them to the ground. If your plant is showing blackened leaves and stems, it has probably succumbed to frost damage. In some cases, the dead foliage can be cut away from the plant, and the rest of the plant protected from further freezes with a thick layer of mulch. Exposure to full sun is also important. Along with the warmth, the steady rays of the sun will encourage blooming. Locate your plants where they will get a full day's worth of sun in order to stimulate flower production. Poor blooming is often caused by too much shade.
Insect Pest Problems
Pentas can be bothered by aphids and spider mites, both of which are sap-sucking insects. Heavy infestations can cause the leaves to wilt and blooms to drop. Caterpillars can also nibble on the broad leaves of the plant. Spray your pentas with an insecticide when you first notice insect pest activity to control for these pesky bugs.
Soil Problems
Soil acidity can also cause a problem for pentas. They need soil with a pH level of 7.0 to produce blooms. Test the pH with a soil testing kit, and if the level is too low, amend the soil with some lime. Use the amount of lime and till to the depth recommended by the results of the test. In addition, make sure the soil is well-draining. Overly saturated soil will cause root rot to develop, a fungal disease that can destroy the roots of penta plants and other ornamental perennials.
Indoor Plants
Due to their love of warmth, pentas are sometimes grown indoors. Indoor penta plants also need well-draining soil and containers with drainage holes, as well as exposure to as much sunlight as possible. In fact, artificial growing lights might be needed to stimulate blooming. Although the plants probably won't be attacked by aphids, they might suffer from whiteflies, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Knock them off with a strong stream of water, or spray the plant with an insecticide, but make sure you take the plant outside first before spraying it.
