How do you Grow Star of Bethlehem?
This can be a difficult question to answer for beginner gardeners because of numerous factors including climate, soil, and experience level.
This article will help solve this problem and give beginner gardeners Easy-to-Follow Steps on growing the Star of Bethlehem ANYWHERE.
And I recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page to find answers to the 7 most frequently asked questions most gardeners have when growing Star of Bethlehem.
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Step #1: Plant THIS Star of Bethlehem
When buying and planting the star of Bethlehem you should make sure that the bulbs are firm, unblemished, with few or no tears to the outer coating.
I am recommending one specific type of Star of Bethlehem that is simple to grow and care for regardless of your experience.
Best of all is that all of this Star of Bethlehem are perennials and beautiful!
A) Common Star of Bethlehem
- Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
- Length & Width: 48 inches x 24 inch
- Watering Needs: Average
- Sun Exposure: Full
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
When the typical gardener thinks of Star of Bethlehem they are thinking of the common Star of Bethlehem.
The common Star of Bethlehem has a beautiful white petal with a cozy yellow center.
Not only that, but this flower has an incredibly smell, is great at attracting pollinators, and can fit into almost any space.
What you’ll love about this flower is that you can grow this in garden containers, raised garden beds, and even in a traditional garden.
Step #2: How to Grow Star of Bethlehem from Bulbs
Star of Bethlehem is a beautiful flower that blooms in early to mid-spring.
Unlike conventional thinking, Star of Bethlehem are perennial flowers.
Most flower gardeners think Star of Bethlehem is perennial flowers but some of them are annual.
Step 1 – Plant Your Star of Bethlehem bulbs in the Fall
First, make sure you buy your appropriate Star of Bethlehem on Amazon from another reputable garden vendor.
Plant your star of bethlehem bulbs in the fall when your soil has cooled off & the temperature is between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant your bulbs before the first frost!
Take the temperature of your soil and ensure that it will stay below 60 degrees for 12 weeks or think about planting your star of bethlehem in pots.
- Hardiness Zones 3 – 5: Plant in September
- Hardiness Zones 6 – 7: Plant in October
- Hardy Zones 8 – 9: Plant in December
*Find Your Hardiness Zone HERE*
Step 2 – Prepare Your Soil THIS Way!
Locate the area of your flower garden or yard where you want to plant your star of Bethlehem.
- Star of Bethlehem do best in an area that receives partial to full afternoon sun.
- The soil should be well-draining and should be neutral to slightly acidic (6.0 – 7.0 pH level).
- The flower garden should be well protected from wind and heavy rain.
Mix 3 inches of Flower Garden Soil to the top 6 inches of your garden soil.
Step 3 – Simply Plant Your Star of Bethlehem Bulbs
To have the most success planting your bulbs you should simply dig a hole 8 inches deep and plant 10 Star of Bethlehem bulbs next to each other.
*Make sure the Star of Bethlehem Bulbs “pointy” part is facing up*
Then mix flower fertilizer (that has a 10-10-10 NPK ratio) in the hole (according to the the instructions). And then fill the holes with your flower and garden soil mix.
Next, water your star of bethlehem bulbs for 15 seconds. This will help promote the start of root growth. Continue to water your bulbs for 15 seconds once a week for the first month.
Then continue this process for as many bulbs as you want to grow. Make sure to spread each set of 10 star of bethlehem bulbs 4 inches apart.
Step 4 – Do THIS in the Winter
In the beginning of winter you will want to mulch your flower garden bed.
After you mulch the flower garden bed do nothing else to your star of bethlehem bulbs the rest of winter.
Step 5 – And do THIS in the Spring
Once the year becomes spring and your star of Bethlehem grow leaves then you should add flower fertilizer again.
Then water your star of bethlehem once a week until your star of bethlehem bloom.
As soon your star of bethlehem petals fall off the flower deadhead it.
And make sure to keep your leaves on the flower for 6 weeks while your flower absorbs and retains energy for next year’s bloom.
Step 6 – Maintain minimal maintenance in summer
Once it becomes summer you should cut the stem and leaves of your star of bethlehem where it meets the soil.
Do not water your star of bethlehem in the summer. Do not fertilize your star of bethlehem in the summer. Simply leave your star of bethlehem in the ground all summer.
Frequently Asked Questions (9 Questions)
#1. How Do You Grow Star of Bethlehem in Pots?
If you are not able to plant your star of bethlehem bulbs in an area your garden or yard, or if your soil will not stay below 60 degrees Fahrenheit then you should plant your Star of Bethlehem in a container.
To have the most success planting Star of Bethlehem Bulbs in pots you should do the following:
- Bury your bulbs in a container with 8 inches of Flower Garden Soil over it.
- Make sure the “pointy” end of the bulb is facing up
- Immediately water your star of bethlehem bulbs for 15 seconds
- Before the first frost of the year move your container to an area of your property that is cool and dry. Keep it here throughout winter
- Once you notice green growth emerging in the winter move your container into a sunny area and begin watering it once a week.
- Once your star of bethlehem petals fall off you will want to deadhead your flower.
- Let the green growth of your plant remain for 6 weeks. Then cut it and your stem where it meets your soil.
#2. How Do I Water My Star of Bethlehem?
You should water your Star of Bethlehem three different ways.
- Immediately after you plant your star of bethlehem bulbs you should soak the soil for 15 seconds
- Continue watering your star of bethlehem bulbs once a week for the first month and then don’t water until the spring
- Begin watering your star of bethlehem once a week once green growth returns in the spring
#3. How Do I Feed My Star of Bethlehem?
To properly feed your star of Bethlehem with the fertilizer you should wait until the Star of Bethlehem flowers have faded and begun falling off your flower.
To have the most success use Star of Bethlehem Fertilizer. This will help your star of bethlehem store nutrients properly for the next season.
For best results, simply follow the instructions on your fertilizer product.
#4. How Do I Cut Star of Bethlehem?
If you want to display your star of Bethlehem indoors then cut Star of Bethlehem when the flowers have grown, but not blossomed. It is okay if the flower bud is slightly green, but should have color.
Place the cut star of bethlehem in a vase with water at room temperature. Every few days change your water.
If you want your star of bethlehem to last longer in the vase then you should add Miracle-Gro for Fresh Cut Flowers.
#5. How Do I Protect my Star of Bethlehem from Pests
The biggest threat to your star of Bethlehem is deer, squirrels, and chipmunks. This is both when your star of Bethlehem is growing and blooming.
To prevent your bulbs from digging up place bird netting over the ground where they are planted.
If you are trying to prevent deer then you should use deer repellent. If this does not work then grow your star of bethlehem bulbs in pots and containers out of the deer’s reach.
#6. How do I Prevent Common Star of Bethlehem Diseases
The most common star of Bethlehem diseases and harmful insects are gray mold, slugs, snail, aphids, nematodes, and bulb rot.
You can help prevent these diseases and harmful insects by using a fungicide spray and an insecticide spray in early spring as green growth begins to emerge.
#7. What are the Best Uses for Star of Bethlehem?
Star of Bethlehem is best used for indoor display, but can also add color to raised garden beds, container gardening, or even in your traditional flower garden.
Star of Bethlehem can complement columbines, azaleas, lilacs, daffodils, crocus, and even hyacinths.
#8. What types of Bulb Should I buy?
Purchasing Star of Bethlehem Bulbs is a much easier task than say vegetable or herb seeds, where you have to worry about GMOs, Organic, Heirloom, etc.
When buying star of Bethlehem bulbs you should stick to hybrid or heirloom. These will give you the best success in growing Star of Bethlehem.
Hybrid Star of Bethlehem Bulbs are weakened perennials that may or may not come up every year.
Heirlom Star of Bethlehem Bulbs are perennial bulbs that come up yearly but have a higher risk of contracting a disease, harmful insect, or fungus.
Just as important is where you buy your bulbs from. I recommend buying your seeds from Amazon. This will provide you with the best price and quickest delivery.
#9. What Type of Gardening Pot Should I Buy?
I recommend buying one type of pot.
Buy a 5-gallon pot.
- This is essential if you want to allow your star of bethlehem to grow to its fullest. It is also important if you want to continue to grow your star of bethlehem outside.
