1.Proper soil preparation is crucial for planting bulbs successfully. Well-draining, loose soil enriched with compost or leaf mold. Ensure excellent drainage; if your soil is clay-heavy, mix in some coco peat.
2.Ensure the bulbs receive 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily, adjusting the light exposure according to the specific variety some prefer partial shade while others require full sun.
3.Plant bulbs at a depth two to three times their height (e.g., a 2 cm bulb goes 4–6 cm deep) with spacing depending on size, typically 5–15 cm apart.
4.Water lightly after planting, keep soil moist but not waterlogged during growth, and reduce watering after flowering to let foliage yellow and bulbs enter dormancy. 5.Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer when shoots emerge and post-bloom.
6.Avoid cutting green leaves immediately after flowering to allow energy storage.
7.Prevent pests and diseases by avoiding overwatering and treating bulbs with neem oil or mild fungicide before planting.
8.Store bulbs off-season by cleaning, drying in shade, and keeping them in breathable containers at 10–20°C with moisture absorbers; avoid sealed plastic and humid conditions.
Daily
Water Requirement
White
Flower Color
Non Fragrant
Fragrance
Low
Maintenance
Ornithogalum
Genus
No
With Pots
Small
Size
Outdoor Shade,Outdoor Sun
Sunlight Requirement
Ornithogalum Umbellatum
Family
Hyacinthaceae
Origin
South Africa
Description
Star of Bethlehem is a hardy bulbous perennial prized for its distinctive flowering behavior and architectural form. Slender, semi-erect foliage emerges in basal clusters, reaching 6-12 inches before gracefully declining as flowering stems ascend in late spring through early summer. Each stem produces 10-20 pristine white flowers, approximately 3/4 inch across, clustered in terminal umbels with characteristic green striping on the reverse. The blooms display a remarkable photoperiodic response, opening at midday and closing at dusk or during cloudy conditions.
Regional flowering windows span February-April in plains and March-May in hill zones. Establish bulbs during the October-November planting window across both terrain types for reliable naturalization and consistent seasonal performance.
Environment
It prefers a sunny postion in a well mulched, well drained soil. They can also be grown in position that gets light, dappled shade. Fertilise with a liquid fertiliser through the growing season. After flowering, the foliage should be left until the plant dies down, as this feeds the next years growth. The plant will die down to ground level in late autumn to winter, and reshoot in spring. They can be left in the ground over winter.
Landscape Use
Flower borders and beds
Caution
All parts of the plant are poisonous, and contact with the sap may cause skin rashes. Ideal for naturalising but may become invasive
