Species Star of Bethlehem
White flower with stigma, white style and filament, lime anthers and ovary. white-purple buds and petiole and light-gray stem

Star of Bethlehem

Ornithogalum magnum

Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum magnum) is a stunning perennial plant with white to pale pink star-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. Dark green, strappy foliage creates an ever-green clump. It's a tough, low-maintenance flower that is deer and rabbit resistant and will thrive in full sunshine to partial shade. This tough plant is great for mass plantings and in natural areas. It prefers well-drained fertile soil and is drought tolerant once established. Star of Bethlehem adds beauty and color to any landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Offsets,Bulbils,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Star of Bethlehem plants should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Present your Star of Bethlehem with approximately 1 inch of water during each watering, making sure to water the entire root area. If the soil does not become moderately moist after a thorough watering, continue to water, ensuring that the entire root system is saturated. Adjust your watering pattern according to the amount of rainfall each week – if you water 1 inch with the rainfall, reduce your normal watering to preserve the plant's health.

sunlight

Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum magnum) plants prefer full to part sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. They thrive best in bright climates and need protection from intense afternoon sunlight. Moderate temperatures from 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit are most ideal, but they can also tolerate temperatures as low as 55 degrees (in cooler climates). Depending on the season, it may be best to give them some afternoon shade when temperatures exceed 80 degrees.

pruning

Star of Bethlehem thrive in full sun to partial shade and should be spaced between 12-18 inches apart. Pruning should be done sparingly and only when needed, such as to remove dead or damaged foliage, to promote healthy air flow, or to shape the plant. It is best to prune these plants in the late winter before the new growth begins., as they may not regrow after being cut too late in the season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Star of Bethlehem typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map