Plant Care Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem

About Star of Bethlehem

Ornithogalum bulbs can be grown in full sunlight, PM only or AM only sunlight, or 25% shade. Tolerates summer drought, but requires moisture during growing season. It's great for use in beds, borders, as ground covers, in rock gardens and woodland gardens.

Taxonomy

Ornithogalum umbellatum
Ornithogalum
Asparagaceae
Asparagales

Also known as

Star-of-bethlehem, Garden star-of-bethlehem, Grass lily, Nap-at-noon and Eleven-o'clock lady

How to care for Star of Bethlehem

💦 Water

How often to water your Star of Bethlehem

Water needs for Star of Bethlehem
0.5 cups
every 9

Star of Bethlehem needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Star of Bethlehem

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Star of Bethlehem in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Star of Bethlehem: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Star of Bethlehem love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Star of Bethlehem does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Star of Bethlehem in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Star of Bethlehem

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Star of Bethlehem: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Star of Bethlehem after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #StarOfBethlehem
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Star of Bethlehem is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!


💦 Water Needs

Star of Bethlehem prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Star of Bethlehem requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Star of Bethlehem is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Star of Bethlehem is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.


🪴 Soil

Star of Bethlehem does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

What Are Healthy Star of Bethlehem Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Star of Bethlehem should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Star of Bethlehem grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Star of Bethlehem Lifecycle →

Star of Bethlehem Size Guide →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Star of Bethlehem can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Star of Bethlehem Hardiness Zones →

Is Star of Bethlehem a Weed? →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Star of Bethlehem, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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