Landscape Showroom / RLC Selection Guide

Pentas for Tampa Landscapes

Pentas lanceolata

Also called: Egyptian starcluster; star flower

A reliable way to bring clusters of red, pink, white or lavender flowers into a sunny Tampa landscape. Pentas work especially well when you want color close to the front of a bed without blocking the plants behind them.

Plan this with RLC →

AI-generated illustration. Actual plants and materials vary; confirm the supplied selection with RLC.

At a glance

Where it fits

Repeat one color in groups along an entry bed or in front of a green hedge. Leave a little breathing room around each group instead of mixing every available color into a small space. Butterfly activity is a welcome bonus, but flowers should be positioned away from a narrow doorway where visitors brush past them.

Sizes and varieties

Compact bedding series and taller selections have different finished heights. Match the cultivar and flower color across a repeated planting. The flower color in an illustration is an example, not an automatic nursery substitution.

Care through the seasons

Pinching young growth can encourage a fuller plant. Remove tired stems selectively and check the root ball before adding irrigation during a rainy week. Pentas can remain attractive through hot weather, but drought stress reduces the flower display. Plan for possible winter damage rather than promising uninterrupted blooms.

Placement mistakes to avoid

Do not hide them behind large crotons or put them in a perpetually wet pocket. They are flowering accents, not a permanent privacy screen.

Buying size is not finished size

Small bedding pots, 1-gallon and sometimes 3-gallon plants. These are nursery formats to ask about, not a live stock list or a guaranteed height. Compare the actual canopy, root ball, cultivar and overall condition. Leave room for the mature plant, even when a new installation initially looks open.

Planning the installation

Measure the usable bed, including space around windows, paths, utilities and irrigation. Show RLC both a wide view and the details of the existing ground. Discuss removals, preparation, access and watering before choosing a quantity. A larger plant may give more presence on day one, but the right location and establishment care still determine the result.

What affects cost?

Relative starting plant tier: Quote on selection. A tier compares material categories; it is not an installed price. Nursery size, fullness, quantity, delivery access, removals and irrigation changes can alter the quote. Compare the whole scope, including the selected variety and size.

Common question

Will the flowers stay all year?

Flowering is strongest in warm growing conditions. Cold weather, pruning, shade and plant age can interrupt the display; treat a photo of peak bloom as seasonal inspiration.

Reference: Plant or product information. Planning guidance reviewed September 2026. Availability and installed prices are confirmed by quote.