Expert advice on how to care for an orange star plant – tips for growing Ornithogalum dubium
Caring for an orange star plant is pretty easy, once you get to know their growing habits. These flowering bulbs, which have clusters of bright orange flowers, are also called the Star of Bethlehem, the snake flower, and the sun star. They will brighten up pots and borders year after year. They also make fabulous cut flowers for displaying indoors.
From South Africa come these beautiful spring flowers that love the sun. If your yard is mostly shade, you should grow them in pots so you can move them around easily.
They can grow up to 30 cm (1 foot) tall and have up to 15 star-shaped flowers on each stem. If they are allowed to grow naturally in the ground, they make a beautiful show. As flower bed ideas, be careful, because these bulbs can spread quickly and be hard to get rid of if the conditions are right. Another reason to raise them in container garden ideas instead.
The orange star plant, also known as Ornithogalum dubium or star of Bethlehem, is a popular flowering bulb native to South Africa. With its clusters of bright orange, star-shaped blooms, this plant can add a pop of color and texture to gardens, borders, and containers.
Though relatively easy to grow, the orange star plant does have some specific care requirements Here is a complete guide to taking care of an orange star plant and helping it thrive
Overview of the Orange Star Plant
Before diving into care, let’s go over some key facts about the orange star plant:
-
Originating in South Africa it can grow well outdoors year-round in USDA hardiness zones 7-11. In cooler zones it can be grown as an annual or potted and overwintered indoors.
-
A bulb plant that goes dormant after flowering. The bulb must be kept dry when dormant.
-
Grows up to 12 inches tall. Produces clusters of star-shaped orange blooms on tall stems in spring.
-
Blooms last 1-3 months. Deadheading promotes more flowers.
-
Toxic if ingested, so plant with care around pets and kids.
-
Spreads rapidly when happy. Plant in containers to control growth.
How to Plant Orange Star Bulbs
Orange star bulbs are planted in fall for blooms the following spring. Here are some tips for planting:
-
Choose a site with full sun to light shade and well-draining soil. Amend heavy soil with sand or perlite.
-
Plant the bulbs 4-6 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Place them pointy end up.
-
For pots, use a quality potting mix and plant 3-5 bulbs close together. Choose containers with drainage holes.
-
Water thoroughly after planting and let the soil dry out before watering again.
-
Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around newly planted bulbs to insulate them.
-
In zones 3-6, plant in pots you can move indoors in winter. Store dormant bulbs cool and dry.
How to Care for an Orange Star Plant
Caring for orange star plants mainly involves attending to watering, fertilizing, and deadheading needs:
Watering
-
Keep soil moist but not soggy during spring growth and blooming. Water when the top few inches of soil become dry.
-
After blooms fade, let the foliage die back naturally, reducing watering gradually.
-
When foliage turns yellow, stop watering and let the bulbs go dormant for 6-8 weeks.
-
Resume watering when new growth appears in fall.
Fertilizing
-
Feed bulbs monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer while actively growing and blooming.
-
Stop fertilizing when blooms are spent and foliage starts yellowing.
-
Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which promote foliage over flowers.
Deadheading
-
Snap off spent flower stems at their base throughout the blooming period.
-
When all blooms finish, cut off all remaining flower stems. Leave the strappy foliage.
-
Deadheading directs the plant’s energy into bulb growth rather than seed production.
Pest and Disease Prevention
-
Orange star plants are relatively pest and disease resistant.
-
Improve airflow and avoid overcrowding to prevent potential fungus issues.
-
Control slugs and snails with barriers and traps if they damage new growth.
Caring for Orange Star Plants in Pots
Growing orange stars in containers allows you to control spread and move pots for optimal sun exposure. Here are some tips:
-
Use containers with drainage holes, and a porous potting mix amended with sand or perlite.
-
Plant 3-5 bulbs per 12-16 inch pot. Place pots in full sun.
-
Check soil moisture frequently and water when the top few inches become dry. Don’t let pots sit in water.
-
Move pots to a sunny, protected spot for winter dormancy in zones 3-6.
-
After 2-3 years, bulbs may become overcrowded. Dividing and replanting reinvigorates them.
Common Questions and Problems
Here are some quick answers to frequently asked orange star plant questions:
Do orange star plants come back every year?
Yes, they are perennial bulbs that go dormant after flowering and regrow in fall to bloom again each spring.
How do I get orange star plants to flower more?
Give them full sun, keep them consistently watered, fertilize monthly, and promptly deadhead spent blooms.
Why are my orange star plant leaves yellow?
This is normal as the foliage dies back after blooming. Allow leaves to yellow and die back naturally.
My orange star bulbs rotted. Why?
Rot is caused by overwatering during dormancy or poorly draining soil. Plant in sandier soil and keep dormant bulbs dry.
Enjoying Vibrant Orange Star Flowers
With its brightly colored, starry blooms on tall wispy stems, the orange star plant adds delightful texture and color to the spring garden. Follow this guide to meet its preferences for sun, well-draining soil, and seasonal watering. With the right care, you can enjoy this South African native as a thriving annual or perennial in gardens, borders, and containers.
When and where to plant an orange star plant (Image credit: Alamy)
‘If you decide to plant Star of Bethlehem flower bulbs in your landscape, do it in fall,’ say the team at Caribbean Garden Seed. ‘The plant is hardy in USDA Zone 3 with mulch and grows in Zones 4 to 8 without mulch.’ If you live in cooler climes this bold beauty can be raised in a conservatory or glass house and will bloom any time from late winter to spring for up to three months.
Total sun lovers these bulbs like nothing more than free-draining soil in a sunny spot. They can tolerate a little, occasional shade but this will reduce the number of flowers. They do best in sandy or rocky areas and need to be watered often, especially during the growing season before they flower. If you leave them in wet soil for too long, they will rot.
How to keep an orange star plant looking good
Outside, orange star plants bloom every spring for a couple of months. If you plant them inside, they can flower for up to three months straight. But there are some things you can do to make sure these bulbs look good no matter where they are. The Bakker team says to gently pull any faded flowers off the main stem to get rid of them. com. ‘When the leaves turn yellow the foliage can be cut back. ’ This ensures that the plant has stored up enough energy to form flowers for the following year.
Using a slow-release liquid fertilizer during the growing season will help the plant grow strong and healthy and flower lots this season and next. This is particularly worth doing if growing in containers.