Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade, mimicking its natural forest floor habitat.

Can I grow it in a dry spot?

It prefers consistently moist soil and will struggle in dry conditions.

Plant guide

Northern starflower.

Lysimachia borealis

Pronounced ly-si-MA-ki-a bor-eh-AH-lis

Also known as American starflower, maystar, northern starflower, Starflower

northern starflower — Photo by Sandra Keller (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming woodland wildflower is a delight to find in cool, moist forests. It features a delicate whorl of leaves topped by a single, star shaped white flower. It is a lovely choice for a shaded garden spot that mimics its natural habitat.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 to 8 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 7
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and mimic a cool forest floor environment. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out too much or if the air gets too hot. Provide plenty of organic matter to keep the roots happy.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Use a light application of balanced organic fertilizer in early spring.
Pruning: Remove dead foliage after the plant goes dormant in late autumn.
Repotting: Repot only when the rhizomes become crowded in the container.
Soil: Rich, acidic, moist woodland soil
Soil pH: Acidic
Temperature: -35 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Growth appearing stunted despite regular care

Safety

People: There are no reports of significant toxicity, but it is not intended for human consumption.
Children: No significant hazards are known, but teach children not to eat wild plants.
Contact allergens: No specific skin irritants are known.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the short flowering window.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Single whorl of lance shaped leaves
Delicate white star shaped flowers
Slender stems rising from rhizomes
Grows in cool moist woodlands

Height: 0.1 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Leaf spot · Fungal spots appear on foliage in overly damp or stagnant air conditions.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The plant dies back to the ground in winter. Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged during the dormant season.
In containers: It is difficult to maintain in containers due to its specific need for cool, constant soil moisture.

Division

1. Wait until early spring as new growth begins.
2. Carefully lift the rhizome clump from the soil.
3. Gently pull the rhizomes apart into smaller sections.
4. Replant immediately in moist, shady soil.

Group this plant with other moisture loving woodland species to maintain the high humidity it craves.

Grows well with

Bunchberry · They share similar requirements for cool, acidic, shaded woodland soil.
Goldthread · This companion thrives in the same moist, mossy forest environments.

Similar species

Creeping Jenny · It is a related species that also spreads via runners but is much more aggressive.

Science

Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Lysimachia
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Northern North America, across Canada and the northern United States.
Conservation: It is secure across its wide northern range and not currently of conservation concern.

It survives by forming low, spreading colonies in the cool, moist shade of boreal forests.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: woodland garden, ground cover, native plant garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 0/9
Soil reaction: 3/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 2/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade, mimicking its natural forest floor habitat.
Can I grow it in a dry spot?: It prefers consistently moist soil and will struggle in dry conditions.

Where the name comes from

The name Lysimachia honors King Lysimachus of Thrace, while borealis refers to its northern distribution.

Good to know

It is commonly called the starflower because of its delicate, star shaped white blossoms.
The plant often grows in colonies, spreading slowly through underground rhizomes.
It thrives in the cool, acidic soils found under coniferous forests.
The flowers are typically held on thin, wiry stems above a whorl of leaves.

Also in

Plants for shade

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.