Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Star of Bethlehem bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Star of Bethlehem, Nap at Noon, Eleven O'Clock Lady (Ornithogalum umbellatum).
More about star of bethlehem
About Star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum umbellatum · also called Star of Bethlehem, Nap at Noon · flowering
A small, spreading bulb producing clusters of white star-shaped flowers with a green stripe on the reverse of each tepal, opening only in sunshine (hence 'Nap at Noon'). Naturalises vigorously and can become invasive in lawns and borders in favourable climates. Hardy in zones 4–9. All parts contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic to pets and humans.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Invasive spread: Multiplies rapidly via offsets and self-seeds; can overrun lawns and borders within a few seasons. Remove flower heads before seed sets and lift unwanted bulb clumps in summer. Plant in contained areas or pots to prevent spread.
The reasons star of bethlehem isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming star of bethlehem traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding star of bethlehem a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get star of bethlehem to flower
- Maximise sun. Give star of bethlehem the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for star of bethlehem and get the feeding right with the star of bethlehem fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Star of Bethlehem flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full star of bethlehem care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Star of Bethlehem blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my star of bethlehem flower?
Star of Bethlehem blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make star of bethlehem bloom?
Give star of bethlehem the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does star of bethlehem normally bloom?
Star of Bethlehem flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with star of bethlehem after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping star of bethlehem flowering?
Feeding star of bethlehem a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Star of Bethlehem care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Star of Bethlehem light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Star of Bethlehem fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 2566 bloom guides in the Growli library