Can I force them to bloom indoors?

Yes, but they need a cold treatment first. Keep the bulbs in a refrigerator for 10 weeks before planting them in soil.

Do they need fertilizer to bloom?

A light application of balanced bulb fertilizer in early spring can help, but light is the primary driver for flowering.

Garden star of Bethlehem: not flowering, causes and fixes

Check these first

Assess the light levels in your plant's current location.
Check if the plant has been allowed to go dormant after flowering.
Inspect the soil to ensure it is not waterlogged.

Likely causes

Insufficient light
Most likely
How to tell: The foliage looks thin and stretched out toward the nearest light source. The plant fails to produce flower stalks during the spring.
What to do: Move your pot to a spot that receives at least 6 hours of bright, direct or indirect sunlight daily. If growing indoors, place it directly in a south facing window.
Lack of dormancy
Possible
How to tell: The plant stays green all year without a period of rest. It never seems to reset its energy for the next blooming cycle.
What to do: After the foliage turns yellow and dies back in late spring, stop watering completely. Keep the bulbs in a cool, dark place for at least 8 to 10 weeks before starting the cycle again.

Other plants that won't flower

Find out what's wrong with your garden star of bethlehem

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If your plant has had full sun and a proper rest period for two years without blooming, the bulbs may be too small or exhausted.

Stopping it coming back

Ensure the bulbs get a full, dry dormancy period every summer after the leaves fade.

Garden star of Bethlehem: not flowering? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your garden star of bethlehem and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I force them to bloom indoors?: Yes, but they need a cold treatment first. Keep the bulbs in a refrigerator for 10 weeks before planting them in soil.
Do they need fertilizer to bloom?: A light application of balanced bulb fertilizer in early spring can help, but light is the primary driver for flowering.

Why is my Garden star of Bethlehem not flowering?