Pentas in the winter

10 years ago

My pentas never look good and even die in the winter in zone 9b. I guess that its lack of water, but could it be fertilizer? They are champs all summer long.

Featured Answer

Michael AKA Leekle2ManE

10 years ago

I am in 9a and every year my Pentas die back in the cooler months, sometimes all the way to the roots. Pentas are fairly drought resistant and while they look fuller given adequate water, too much water in the winter months can rot their roots. When mine look weepy, I cut them back by half and they tend to rebound a bit, but I know that they will eventually 'go dormant' (I don't think Pentas actually go dormant, they just tend to recede until temps rise again.)

In my experience, Pentas that were allowed to establish themselves from Spring through Summer will return the following Spring. Pentas that are planted out in Autumn tend to die completely, which is why if I have rooted cuttings still in pots after September, I keep them in their pots until the last frost has past.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

User
10 years ago
Do you not water them in the winter? Winter is our growing season, so water and fertilizer are much needed.
sandychin thanked User
bossyvossy
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
They are Tropicals and will grow year round in zone 10. My guess is they will die to the ground and reappear in spring. If you have a milder than usual (for your area) winter they might just get ratty looking but bounce back. In my zone 9a they completely die back and only about half of my plantings reappear.
sandychin thanked bossyvossy
Related Professionals
Tuscaloosa Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dallas Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fort Collins Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rochester Landscape Contractors · Bennington Landscape Contractors · Victorville Landscape Contractors · Cheyenne Landscape Contractors · Evanston Landscape Contractors · Sanford Landscape Contractors · Alexandria Kitchen Remodelers · Lawton Kitchen Remodelers · Fredericksburg Kitchen Remodelers · Roanoke Kitchen Remodelers · Syracuse Kitchen Remodelers · London Kitchen Remodelers
sandychin
Original Author
10 years ago
I water, but not as much as what naturally falls in the summer.
Tom
10 years ago
I always have some in pots, like you do Michael.

As to the original question, yes Pentas will shrink and bloom very little if they don't have water at this time of year. I am in zone 9b and mine are doing very well now, but I give them water frequently. In my experience, the big Pentas, the lanceolatas, that only smaller nurseries seem to carry, have deeper roots and tend to be perennials in my zone.
jofus, ( Englewood, Fl zone 10a )
10 years ago
Well, even though I am technically ( according to latest stats ) on the border of 9b/10a on Florida's SW coast, I actually believe 10a is more correct as to where I'm at ! ( smile ) Still new at creating a small butterfly garden. Five years ago I had a couple of well used Spanish-looking 22 gal earthenware pot's, so planted a Mexican petunia in one and two penta's ( red & white ) in the other, then 4 milkweed's in other pots and in ground planted 2 porterweeds, and had at it. They lasted for almost 5 years and attracted a lot of butterflies & cat's before the penta's wilted and died 4 months ago, for what reason I don't know, as they were watered & modestly fertilized regularly. Sooo, when the 2 largest milkweed's started wilting, - just 5

weeks ago, I took action ! lol Agressively pruned back, watered & fertilized all the milkweeds, dug up the 2 dead penta's,...bought THREE new ones and carefully planted them in the same pot. A bit of a squeeze, but I think they'll be OK,..hoping that these 3 bright additions will assist the 4 milkweeds & others to continue to draw the attention from the monarchs, - and any other butterfly that comes by ! Now all are full of vigorous growth, especially the pruned back milkweed's,..they've quadrupled in size, loads of new green leaves & bright red/orange flowers ! Hopefully will soon start seeing a few cat's. Curious, does anyone think that I may have overcrowded the 3 new penta's ?
Michael AKA Leekle2ManE
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I think it depends on how much feeding you want to do. Planting close means each plant will be fighting for the same nutrients, eventually the stronger ones will start to prevail and you will have to knock them back. While you will have to feed more frequently, feeding is a necessary part of potted plants.
User
10 years ago
Jofus, I think the nematodes get everything eventually. Plus, plants just grow themselves to death down there, because they never get to rest. At least my plants get a short break in the winter up here.
jofus, ( Englewood, Fl zone 10a )
9 years ago
Thanks for the feedback guys, - bottom line, I am perfectly happy if the penta's last for 5 yrs before dying. Will feed the 3 new penta's a bit more than I was planning on and see what happens. Butterfly's rule ! lol