Star of Bethlehem: uses, toxicity & planting Ornithogalum umbellatum
The star of Bethlehem is a low-maintenance spring bloomer for light partial shade, for example at the edge of woodlands.
The unusual thing about the star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is certainly its flowers, which can turn the garden into a white sea of flowers in spring. At the same time, the bulbous plant requires little care and retreats into the ground after flowering until the following spring. In this article you will find everything you need to know about the cultivation and care of the star of Bethlehem from the fact sheet to pictures and tips on its uses.
Contents
Star of Bethlehem: origin and characteristics
The star of Bethlehem is a representative of the Ornithogalum genus (Ornithogalum), which in turn is assigned to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Ornithogalum can be literally translated as bird’s milk, referring to the white sap that oozes from the plant when injured and which can cause rashes and irritation on the skin. Ornithogalum umbellatum is native to all of Europe, with the exception of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, or at least has been naturalised for over 500 years.
Tip: the Ornithogalum genus also includes the drooping star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum nutans). It also blooms in the spring with star-shaped, white-green flowers but is cultivated in our gardens somewhat less often than the star of Bethlehem.
Every spring, the star of Bethlehem sprouts anew from the bulbs that overwinter in the ground. Narrow-elongated, strong green foliage first appears with white central stripes. The flowering period of the star of Bethlehem begins around April, which lasts about a month. You can then admire the many large and pure-white flowers on shoots 10 to 30cm tall. The flowers of the star of Bethlehem have earned it its name. They open only in sunshine, produce nectar and are partially pollinated by insects, which is why they are considered insect-friendly.
Tip: like all plants of this species, the star of Bethlehem is highly toxic. The plants are therefore also called gardener’s bug or gardener’s death because they spread widely by seeds and runners when the conditions are right.
After flowering, the star of Bethlehem retracts completely. Even the leaves of the star of Bethlehem first turn yellow and then die. The plant almost turns to nothing before summer even arrives. The bulbs then only sprout again the following spring. If the star of Bethlehem is happy in its location and there is little competitive pressure, it can spread rampantly via bulbs and sometimes seeds to form large, loose stands.
Is star of Bethlehem a weed? Star of Bethlehem can spread widely, but most of the time they are not considered a nuisance because they still leave enough room for other plants. The plant is less spreading when placed in the root felt of woody plants.
Planting star of Bethlehem: location and method
The star of Bethlehem mainly colonises dry to fresh, permeable, alkaline and nutrient-rich meadows, for example in warm vineyards, as well as sunny roadsides and woodland borders. It does not tolerate waterlogging. Star of Bethlehem thrives best in light partial shade as too much blazing sunlight will cause the plant to fade quickly, yet too little sun will cause some plants to not even begin to bloom. The star of Bethlehem tolerates root pressure from neighbouring woody plants surprisingly well.
Tip: when planting under woody plants, soil cultivation is more difficult because of the many roots. In order not to damage them too much, the soil can be carefully loosened lightly with a pitchfork.
Planting star of Bethlehem: how to proceed
The best time for planting star of Bethlehem is in autumn. Star of Bethlehem is particularly effective when staked in small tufts of 3 to 10 plants.
Tip: if your soil is too clayey and water has difficulty draining, it is a good idea to enrich it by incorporating turf sand in combination with our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost. This improves the soil structure and makes the soil more permeable to water. In addition, it does not require peat at all, which is why its production emits around 60% less CO2 than conventional compost.
- Prepare the soil by loosening it slightly and working in some planting medium if necessary.
- After preparing the soil, you can plant the bulbs in the ground. Keep a planting distance of 10 to 20cm and place the bulbs in the ground about twice as deep as they are tall. At the same time, the base of the root should face down and the top facing up.
- The bulbs can then be lightly watered. However, make sure that the soil is not completely soaked with water.
- Perfect for all your house, garden & balcony plants
- For strong & healthy plants as well as an active soil life
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
Tip: the star of Bethlehem can be combined with other spring bloomers in perennial beds in a variety of ways. Good planting partners include stonecrop (Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum), gamander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) and vineyard tulips (Tulipa sylvestris), which bloom at about the same time, as well as the grape hyacinth species Muscari neglectum and daffodils (Narcissus).
Planting the star of Bethlehem in a pot is also possible without any problems. To do this, choose a planter with about 5 litres of pot volume and make sure that there are drainage holes at the bottom. First, add a drainage layer a few centimetres high using gravel, chippings or shards of clay, before filling it with a high-quality planting substrate. We recommend using our Plantura Organic All Purpose Plant Food. The bulbs can then be planted into the soil about 5cm deep and lightly watered. 3 bulbs are usually enough for a 5-litre pot.
- Perfect for a variety of plants in the garden & on the balcony
- Promotes healthy plant growth & an active soil life
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly
Planting at a glance
- Optimal time for planting: autumn
- Location: light partial shade; fresh, nutrient and alkalin-rich, well-drained soil
- Planting distance: 10 – 20cm
- Planting depth: double the size of the bulb
- Water lightly after planting
The right care
After planting, the star of Bethlehem requires little care.
Watering star of Bethlehem
Fresh, moist soil in the spring promotes abundant flowering. However, this is often the case in the spring anyway, so there is no need for extra watering. Since the star of Bethlehem has already established itself in the summer, it tolerates drought very well and even now you do not need to water it. Humidity and especially waterlogging in summer and winter can harm the bulbs. Watering star of Bethlehem in a pot requires a little tact because it should be watered neither too much nor too little. Therefore, wait until the substrate surface has dried slightly before the next watering and make sure that excess water can drain away well.
Fertilising
You usually do not need to fertilise your star of Bethlehem either, especially if dead foliage is simply left there. However, if you notice after a few years that the growth has slowed down and the flowering is no longer so lush, you can work our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food around the plants in spring. It releases nutrients over a long period of time and is also primarily organic, which is why it is beneficial for the soil structure and organisms.
- Perfect for a variety of plants in the garden & on the balcony
- Promotes healthy plant growth & an active soil life
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly
Dividing star of Bethlehem
Another reason why the star of Bethlehem may cease to grow is excessive competition. Therefore, you should divide the bulb approximately every 3 to 5 years. This is best done after flowering around autumn. Then you prick out part of the bulb and either plant it in a new location or dispose of it in the compost. The punched hole is again loosely filled with soil.
Pruning
If the star of Bethlehem has faded and the plants no longer look attractive, you can cut back the flower stalks close to the ground. This also prevents star of Bethlehem from spreading further by seed. However, you should wait until the leaves too are withered before pruning. The key reserves and nutrients are then transferred to the bulbs as a storage organ so that there is enough energy for budding the following spring. If you have enough space in the garden and the faded star of Bethlehem plants do not bother you, you do not need to worry about them further and can leave them to themselves.
Tip: the star of Bethlehem tolerates superficial tillage. You can therefore rake leaves as normal in autumn without causing any issues.
Overwintering
The star of Bethlehem is one of the hardy varieties, as it can tolerate temperatures down to -28 °C. This means that you can leave your bulbs in the bed over the winter without additional protection. Only winter dampness poses a threat, causing the plants to fall victim to mould and preventing their sprouting in the spring.
Tip: the star of Bethlehem is less suitable as a houseplant. Nevertheless, if you are looking for this variety for your home, the Arabian star flower (Ornithogalum arabicum) is a good choice.
Care at a glance:
- Only water star of Bethlehem in very dry springs.
- Fertilising is necessary only when growth slows down.
- Withered parts of the plant can be removed after flowering.
- Star of Bethlehem is hardy so does not need special protection.
- Thin out or divide the plants every few years so that they continue to have enough space.
Star of Bethlehem uses
Little is known about the possible healing effects of the star of Bethlehem. However, studies on the effects of Ornithogalum umbellatum in alcoholic extracts of the plant have demonstrated antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal components. However, due to its toxicity, one should never prepare a remedy oneself but resort to shop-bought preparations.
Is star of Bethlehem poisonous?
All plant parts of the star of Bethlehem are highly toxic. Among them, the bulbs contain the highest content of cardenolides, which act directly on the heart and can lead to severe symptoms of poisoning and even death. Special care must be taken with children and pets such as dogs and cats, which could dig up and consume the bulbs.
Similar to cowherb (Vaccaria hispanica), the Star of Bethlehem is an ideal plant for blackbox gardening. In this process, plants are established in the garden but subsequently left to their own devices. Thus, over time, a stable plant community establishes itself on its own.
