Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Star of Bethlehem.
Ornithogalum thyrsoides
Pronounced or-nih-THOG-uh-lum thir-SOY-deez
Also known as African Wonder Flower, Cape-lily, Chincherinchee, Christmas-lily, Common Chincherinchee, Common Chink, Port Lincoln-lily, Wonder Flower
The Star of Bethlehem is a charming bulbous perennial that produces lovely, star shaped white flowers. It thrives in sunny spots and is a favorite for adding a touch of elegance to garden borders. These bulbs are quite easy to grow if you provide them with well draining soil.
At a glance
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Bulbous perennial
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Indoor light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 days
- Mature size
- 45 cm
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Hardiness
- USDA 8 to 10
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
Care
Plant your bulbs in a spot with excellent drainage to prevent rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is entering its dormant phase. Keep the soil relatively dry once the foliage begins to fade.
- Watering
- Water regularly during the active growing season but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring growth period.
- Pruning
- Remove spent flower stalks and trim back foliage only after it has turned yellow and died back naturally.
- Repotting
- Repot or divide clumps every few years when the bulbs become overcrowded.
- Soil
- Sandy, well draining soil
- Soil pH
- Neutral to slightly acidic
- Temperature
- 0 to 30°C
- Humidity
- 40 to 60%
- Drought tolerance
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years
- Deer and rabbits
- Moderate
Signs it needs repotting
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes
- Bulbs becoming crowded and pushing against the pot walls
Safety
- People
- The plant contains cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans and pets if eaten.
- Pets
- This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
- Children
- Keep bulbs away from children as they look like onions but are highly toxic.
- Contact allergens
- Handling the bulbs or sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
- Airborne allergens
- The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen.
- Edibility
- All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe stomach upset.
How to identify it
- Star shaped white flowers
- Dense, conical flower clusters
- Basal rosette of strap shaped leaves
- Bulbous perennial growth habit
- Height
- 0.3 to 0.5m
- Spread
- 0.1 to 0.15m
- Leaves
- green, deciduous
- Flowers
- white, 2 to 4cm
Problems to watch for
By symptom
Check your star of bethlehem from a photo
Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.
Growing it
- Propagation
- division, seed
- When to plant
- autumn
- Overwintering
- In cold climates, lift the bulbs in autumn and store them in a cool, dry place. If left in the ground, ensure the soil stays dry to prevent rot.
- In containers
- They grow very well in pots, provided the container has excellent drainage and is at least 15 centimeters deep.
Division
- 1. Wait until the foliage has completely yellowed and died back.
- 2. Carefully dig up the bulb clump.
- 3. Gently separate the offsets from the parent bulb.
- 4. Replant the offsets in a new location or pot.
Group these with other spring bulbs that prefer to dry out during their summer dormancy.
Grows well with
- Freesia — They share similar cultural needs and bloom times.
- Bluebell — They provide a lovely color contrast in spring borders.
Similar species
- Star of Bethlehem — A related species with similar star shaped flowers.
Science
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Ornithogalum
- Order
- Asparagales
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Native range
- South Africa
- Conservation
- This species is common in its native range and not currently threatened.
It thrives in open, sunny grasslands where it can complete its growth cycle before the dry season.
- Value to wildlife
- nectar source
- Pollinators
- bees, butterflies
- Uses
- cut flowers, container planting, border accents
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 7/9
- Temperature
- 6/9
- Moisture
- 4/9
- Nutrients
- 5/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- Do I need to dig up the bulbs?
- In areas with wet summers, it is best to lift them after the foliage dies back.
- How deep should I plant them?
- Plant the bulbs about 8 to 10 centimeters deep in well draining soil.
Where the name comes from
The genus name comes from the Greek words for bird and milk, while the species name refers to the thyrse like flower cluster.
Good to know
- The flowers are known to stay fresh in a vase for up to three weeks.
- It is native to the Cape region of South Africa.
- The name Chinkerinchee is said to mimic the sound the stems make when rubbed together.
Also in
Keep your star of bethlehem growing
This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.