White and black flowers Ornithogalum arabicum

Credit: J. P. Grandmont

Flowering stem Ornithogalum arabicum

Credit: Tatters

Star of Bethlehem in the ground

Credit: Ryan Hodnett

White and black Star of Bethlehem flowers

Credit: D. Descouens

Star of Bethlehem, white and black flowers

Credit: E. Katsillis

Ornithogalum arabicum, the Star of Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem doesn't just shine over the Near East. Ornithogalum arabicum grows wild in Asia, northern Africa and southern Europe. It can now be found in gardens all over the world, where its fragrant white flowers delight bees and gardeners alike.

How to recognize the Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum arabicum)?

Ornithogalum arabicum has a bushy, spreading habit. This perennial bulbous plant is 50 centimetres high and 20 centimetres wide.

The oval bulb produces a rosette of six basal leaves. The light-green blades are ribboned. Upright then drooping, they can reach 25 centimetres in length.

The bulb then gives rise to a straight, cylindrical, pruney flowering stem. It bears a corymb of ten or so flowers. The flowers form a flared cup. Their three petals and three sepals are staggered. They are white with a black center and are highly melliferous.

After being visited by pollinators, the flowers produce green, oblong capsules. These enclose the shiny black seeds.

Like ornithogalum thyrsoides, Ornithogalum arabicum is toxic to animals and humans. The plant contains cardiotoxic glycosides, which cause digestive and cardiac disorders if ingested. Concentrations are particularly high in the bulb. Keep it away from your pets!

Our maintenance tips

The care cycle of Ornithogalum arabicum depends on its flowering period. You need to take care of it during the vegetative period and do little or nothing for the rest of the year.

Watering

Water your plant generously during the growing season.

Ornithogalum arabicum like to keep soil moist, but not soggy. Water when the soil surface is dry (two to three centimetres).

Water the substrate with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, at room temperature.

Allow the water to drain through the drainage holes before replacing the plant. Empty out any water stagnating in the saucer or planter. It may rot the roots.

During the rest of the year, adjust the watering of your Ornithogalum arabicum.

Sprinkle lightly with non-calcareous water at room temperature. Simplymoisten the substrate to prevent it from drying out completely.

Repotting

Once the foliage and flowers have faded, you can repot.

Once the flowers and leaves have faded, repot your Star of Bethlehem in a pierced pot or window box.

Ornithogalum arabicum plants that are well drained are happy with a universal substrate. Mix two-thirds potting soil for green or flowering plants with pozzolan or perlite. You can also use garden soil (50%), sand (25%) and universal potting soil (25%).

Place a layer of substrate at the bottom of your pot. Plant your bulbs, pointing upwards, at a depth of five centimetres. Cover with soil and leave the plant in a bright spot.

Fertilization

Apply a fertilizer for flowering plants or green plants diluted with water.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Choose a sunny or semi-shady location. Hoe the soil to a depth of about 20 centimetres. Remove stones, weeds and roots.

Plant your bulbs, pointing upwards, at a depth of five centimetres. When planting several bulbs, space them at least fifteen centimetres apart. If your soil is very compact or clayey, add a handful of sand to the hole.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Dig up bulbs after the leaves have wilted. If they have given rise to bulblets, separate them.

Find a location in sun or half-shade. Work the soil to a depth of 20 centimetres to aerate it. Remove weeds, stones and roots.

Plant your bulbs pointing upwards. They should be about five centimetres underground. If you're planting several ornithogalum arabicum, space them at least fifteen centimetres apart.

Diseases / Threats

Mealybugs

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Asparagaceae - Asparagaceae
Type	Ornithogale - Ornithogalum
Species	Star of Bethlehem - Ornithogalum arabicum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Deciduous
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots Planter
Categories	Bulb Flowery
Tags	Flowery Toxic
Origins	North Africa Central Asia Southern Europe
Hardiness (USDA)	9b
Leaf color
Flower color
Fruit color