Very pretty, looks a lot like a hibiscus or mallow type flower.

That's really pretty, Roselee. Although I have had the scarlet for a few years, I didn't realize there was pink pentapete. What conditions are yours planted in...moisture, sun, soil? I've seen photos of your scarlet pentapete and they are so much healthier and prettier than mine have ever been.
Molly

Shirley, thanks. You're right, it's a member of the mallow family.

Molly, this and the pink one are growing in full sun in pots with rich rose soil. This Scarlet pentapete volunteered in a large container that I had prepared for a couple of roses. One of them didn't make it so I let the little Pentapete that came up grow in it's place. By that time it was very hot and I was thinking it would help shade the remaining rose. However, I sure didn't expect it to get 5 ft. tall and almost as wide.

So I'd say Pentapetes enjoy a fair amount of water which is not surprising since it grows as a weed in rice fields in China. If dry it wilts in the 110 degree afternoons, but the leaves don't crisp.

We had a nice little half inch shower this afternoon so I took the camera out and took a couple of pictures. Notice the rare rain drops on the leaves and petals ...

I planted some seeds in one of my next door neighbor's flower bed which she seldom if ever waters. The one plant that made it this far is all of about 6 inches tall, but it's alive.

So I'd say it loves rich soil, water, and full sun, but will live under lesser conditions. Another Pentapete plant that gets only morning sun is 5 ft tall and maybe 16 in. wide.

I really enjoy this plant. I'm planning to use it as the tall 'thriller' accent in some of my large pots next year.

Anyone know if deer will eat it? I'm thinking of wheeling the Scarlet Pentapete in the smaller pot out front to find out.

Beautiful plant. Does it make seed readily or is it grown from root s, or cuttings?

Mara, it readily makes seeds that look like Pavonia 'Texas rock rose' seeds. I'd be happy to send seeds to anyone that wants them. I don't know if I'll have enough seeds of the pink one to send out this year since it is a small plant having not been planted until late summer. I'll have plenty from the Scarlet. Email me through my page.

Both of them are gorgeous! It reminds me of really pretty Okra (mallow too).

Thanks for the post, yes they both are beautiful. I see they do require plenty of room to grow. I may have to hunt for the room to plant the seeds I have been given.

These are gorgeous! What a fascinating combination of leaf and flower. I'll bet they don't grow up here in zone 7B do they.....sigh....
c

Cynthia, I'm happy to report that they'll grow in your part of Texas :-) One of their claims to fame is that Thomas Jefferson grew Scarlet Pentapetes in his flower garden at Monticello. They are annuals.

Where can you buy pentapete seeds? I have never heard of this one and would like to try it.
Thanks......Judith

I grow them, Cynthia, and glad to report that for the past couple of years, they have reseeded for me.......

I have some seeds to pass along. Contact me through my page if you want some.

Rosalee - seeds, please! I love starting things from seeds and my sweet hubby just bought me a heat/grow mat! I'm starting seeds from the chocolate cherry tomato and sungold cherry tomato this next week. I can send seeds from either of those in exchange. Also have seeds from the double purple angeltrumpet (datura).

I have red, can I get pink

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I was never very successful at my attempt. I had them one year and then they did not come back due to lack of water.