Ornithogalum

( or - nith - oh - GAY - lum )

At-A-Glance Information

Ornithogalum, commonly known as Star-of-Bethlehem, Sun Star, Snake Flower, or Chincherinchee, is a genus filled with perennial, herbaceous plants native to southern Europe and southern Africa. These bulbs do well in full sun to partial shade, and require regular waterings during their active growth and blooming periods. Species are sometimes considered weeds outside of their native range, and grow from bulbs. Foliage is strappy and green, and flowers are typically white (sometimes orange). These plants are gaining popularity as springtime gifts, widely available for purchase at nurseries and grocery stores. Use Ornithogalum to naturalize in woodland landscapes, as accents or specimens, or in containers. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape or keeping them as houseplants, as all plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Ornithogalum Species and Varietals

The genus Ornithogalum is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae, and includes around 180 distinct species. They are closely related to Hyacinthus (Hyacinth), Scilla (Squill) and Muscari (Grape Hyacinth). The best growing zones for Ornithogalum are USDA hardiness zones 5-11, though this will vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Ornithogalum arabicum (Arab's Eye, Lesser Cape-Lily, Arabian Starflower, Black Pearl Lily)
This species is native to north Africa and southern Europe, and produces white fragrant flowers and green strappy foliage. Individual plants reach up to between 18 and 24 inches tall when mature and in bloom. They are in flower between late spring and early summertime and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11. This species is considered invasive in Australia and California (United States).

Ornithogalum dubium (Sun Star, Star of Bethlehem, Orange Star, Yellow Chincherinchee)
Endemic to South Africa, this species of Ornithogalum reaches up to 20 inches tall when in bloom. It produces yellow-green foliage, and in late winter to early springtime, spherical racemes of between 5 and 25 flowers bloom. Petals can be orange, red, yellow, or white, often with green or brown flushing at their base. These flowers thrive outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.

Ornithogalum narbonense (Narbonne Star-of-Bethlehem, Pyramidal Star-of-Bethlehem, Southern Star-of-Bethlehem)
This species of Starflower is native to the Mediterranean Basin, Armenia, and northwestern Iran, where it prefers to grow in fields and grassy areas in dry soils, wasteland, and rocky terrain. The specific epithet of the species refers to the French town of Narbonne. Individual plants reach up to 16-20 inches tall and produce erect stems topped with white flowers with pale green veining. Flowers are present from May through June in the plant's native range. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Ornithogalum nutans (Drooping Star-of-Bethlehem)
These plants are native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It forms from a bulb, producing wide, strappy green leaves and green-striped greyish-white nodding flowers on upright stems. Individual plants reach up to between 8 and 24 inches tall when mature and in bloom. This species is considered invasive in Maryland and Pennsylvania in the United States. Hardy to USDA zones 6-10.

Ornithogalum pyrenaicum (Prussian Asparagus, Wild Asparagus, Bath Asparagus, Pyrenees Star-of-Bethlehem, Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem)
This woodland-dwelling species of Starflower produces tall spikes topped with white flowers. Young flowering shoots may be eaten as a vegetable, similar to Asparagus. Plants form basal foliage, and can form a nice groundcover. The common name 'Bath Asparagus' is a reference to the fact that these plants were once abundant in the area around Bath, England. Prussian Asparagus grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Ornithogalum saundersiae (Giant Chincherinchee)
These plants are native to South Africa, where they grow in rocky glades. This perennial grows from bulb, topping out between 12 and 40 inches tall when mature. Flowers are white and bloom in conical inflorescences. They are present on plants between June and August in the species' native range. These plants are popular garden ornamentals, cultivated worldwide. Giant Chincherinchee grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10.

Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Chinkerinchee, Cincherinchee, Star-of-Bethlehem, Wonder-Flower)
These plants are cultivated as ornamentals and for their cut flower stems, which are popular in fresh arrangements. Plants reach up to 20 inches tall, and produce green strappy foliage and packed inflorescences of white blooms. Flowers typically have brown to green centers. This species is considered invasive in southern Australia and Maryland (United States).

Ornithogalum umbellatum (Garden Star-of-Bethlehem, Grass Lily, Nap-at-Noon, Eleven-O'clock Lady, Doug's Dung)
This is the type species of the genus Ornithogalum, and forms tufts of basal green, grassy foliage. Flowers are white, blooming from mid to late springtime. The species is native to southern and central Europe as well as northwestern areas of Africa. Individual plants reach up to 12 inches tall when in bloom. This species is considered highly invasive in Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in the United States.

Caring for Ornithogalum

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape or keeping them as houseplants, as all plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Ornithogalum, or Star of Bethlehem, can be grown either outdoors in the garden or indoors as a houseplant. Install these bulbous perennial flowers in full sun to partial shade. They appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day, with some shade in the late afternoon when temperatures are at their highest. If grown in too much sun or in too warm a climate, plants will go dormant. Ornithogalums grow from bulb roots, and are best in light, organically rich well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). They can do well in rocky or sandy soils as well. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost and sand before installing. Put down a 1-2 inch layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning these flowers is relatively straightforward: simply remove spent flowering spikes once all flowers have passed. Do not cut back foliage and allow leaves to die back on their own so that as much energy as possible is sent into the underground storage bulbs. If grown in an area with cool winters, bulbs will need to be dug up, stored over winter, and replanted in springtime each year. These plants will need dividing every few years, especially if grown in containers. For instructions on how to successfully divide Ornithogalum, see the Propagation section below. These flowers are long-lived perennials, able to survive in the garden for decades before needing to be replaced. They will continually produce offset bulbs, which can be divided and replanted elsewhere, providing new plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Caring for Ornithogalum Indoors
Star of Bethlehem plants can be grown indoors in a bright space. They appreciate at least six hours of bright, direct light each day. Use supplemental grow lights if flowers are not blooming well. Fill a container with drainage holes with a well-draining substrate amended with plenty of sand and perlite. Pruning these flowers is relatively straightforward: simply remove spent flowering spikes once all flowers have passed. Do not cut back foliage and allow leaves to die back on their own so that as much energy as possible is sent into the storage bulbs. These plants will need dividing every few years, especially if grown in containers. For instructions on how to successfully divide Ornithogalum, see the Propagation section below.

Harvesting Ornithogalum
Ornithogalum, or Star of Bethlehem, is a popular cut flower included in many arrangements, most popularly around the winter holiday season. They are in bloom in spring and summertime. Harvest these plants for cut flowers in the late morning, after the dew has dried from leaves and petals but before the heat of the day sets in. Using sharp, clean shears, cut the flowering stem at its base and immediately place it in a tub or other container with cool water. Then, arrange as desired. Star of Bethlehem can last for up to a month in water if properly cared for.

Propagation

Ornithogalum can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Star of Bethlehem flowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Ornithogalum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 3-4 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Ornithogalum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the bulb(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick bulb section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your bulbs and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Ornithogalum seed capsules have three lobes and will dry, turn brown to light brown, and open when seeds are mature. There are several to dozens of seeds in each capsule.

Ornithogalum seeds are irregularly shaped and black.

Problems and Pests

Certain Ornithogalum species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. These plants do not have any significant disease or pest issues, but they can have problems from time to time with: