Consulta Plantas

Care of the bulbous plant Ornithogalum dubium or Star of Bethlehem

The genus Ornithogalum, family Asparagaceae, comprises 180 species of herbaceous and bulbous perennial plants native to the Mediterranean region, Asia, Africa and South America. Some species of the genus are: Ornithogalum dubium, Ornithogalum umbellatum, Ornithogalum arabicum, Ornithogalum nutans, Ornithogalum thyrsoides, Ornithogalum caudatum.

Common names: Star of Bethlehem, Sun star. This species is native to South Africa.

They are perennial bulbous plants that reach 50 cm (19.68") in height. The leaves are linear, striated, fleshy and of a glossy dark green color. The flowers appear in clusters at the end of the stem, they are small and have 6 petals that can be white, yellow, red or orange, depending on the variety.

Star of Bethlehem is used in rockeries, in mixed borders, in pots as indoor, greenhouse and balcony or terrace plants and as cut flowers for floral decorations.

Ornithogalum dubium needs full sun exposure. The winter safety temperature is 5 ºC (41 ºF).

Sun star is an easy to grow plant that grows in normal garden soil with 1/4 of sand and 1/4 of peat.

Water moderately (a glass of water per plant 2 times a week in summer) waiting for the substrate to dry. Withstands several days of drought.

Fertilize every 15 days with seaweed extract from a week before planting the bulbs to a month after flowering

Ornithogalum dubium is a sensitive plant to excessive watering that can rot the bulbs.

Star of Bethlehem is easily propagated by division of the bulbs in spring. Dig up the bulbs in autumn and store them in a cool, dry place.

Images of the bulbous plant Ornithogalum dubium or Star of Bethlehem