Expert advice on how to care for an orange star plant – tips for growing Ornithogalum dubium
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Caring for an orange star plant is pretty easy, once you get to know their growing habits. Also known as the Star of Bethlehem, snake flower and sun star, these vibrant flowering bulbs – with their clusters of bright orange flowers – will brighten up pots and borders year after year. They also make fabulous cut flowers for displaying indoors.
Originating from South Africa, these eye-catching spring blooms are real sun lovers, so if your yard is on the shady side, it’s well worth growing these in pots so they can be easily moved around.
Growing up to 1ft (30cm) tall they boast up to 15-20 star-shaped flowers on each stem and if naturalized in the ground, make a stunning display. Do be warned though, if growing conditions are just right, these bulbs can spread rapidly and be tricky to get rid of as flower bed ideas. Another reason to raise them in container garden ideas instead.
The vibrant orange star plant also known as Ornithogalum dubium is a flowering bulb native to South Africa. With its bright orange, star-shaped blooms arising on tall wispy stems, this plant can add a pop of cheerful color and delightful texture to gardens, borders, and containers.
Caring for an orange star plant is relatively straightforward once you understand its growing requirements Here is a complete guide to successfully growing this eye-catching plant
Overview of the Orange Star Plant
Let’s start with a quick rundown of key facts about the orange star plant:
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A bulb plant that blooms in spring and goes dormant after flowering.
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Grows up to 12 inches tall and spreads slowly via bulbs.
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Produces clusters of orange, star-shaped flowers on tall stems.
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Blooms last 1-3 months in spring. Deadheading promotes more flowers.
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Hardy in USDA zones 7-11 as a perennial. Grown as an annual in cooler zones.
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Toxic if ingested, so keep away from kids and pets.
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Thrives in full sun and well-draining sandy or rocky soil.
When and Where to Plant
Orange star bulbs are planted in the fall, around the time of the first frost, for blooms the following spring. bulbs 4-6 inches deep and 6 inches apart in a sunny spot with sandy, well-draining soil. Amend heavy clay soils with sand or perlite to improve drainage.
In zones 3-6, plant bulbs in containers that can be moved indoors for winter dormancy. Store dormant bulbs in a cool, dry place until ready to replant in spring after the last frost.
Watering Needs
Orange star plants thrive with consistent moisture while actively growing and blooming in spring. Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry. Take care not to overwater, as soggy soil will cause bulb rot.
Reduce watering gradually as the foliage starts yellowing after bloom. Allow the foliage to die back naturally. Stop watering completely when dormant. Resume watering when growth resumes in early fall.
Fertilizer Requirements
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly while the orange star plant is actively growing and blooming. This fuels vigorous growth and prolific flowering. Stop fertilizing when blooms finish and foliage starts yellowing.
Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth over flowers. Use an all-purpose or bulb fertilizer instead.
Deadheading for More Blooms
Deadhead spent orange star flowers by snapping off faded blooms near the base of the stem. This neatens up the plant and encourages more blooms.
Once all flowers finish, cut off the remaining flower stems down to the bulb. Leave the strappy foliage in place. Deadheading directs the plant’s energy into bulb growth rather than seed production.
Growing Orange Stars in Containers
Container growing is ideal for managing orange star plants in cooler climates. Use pots with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Plant 3-5 bulbs per 12-16 inch pot and place in full sun.
Check soil moisture frequently and water when the top few inches become dry. Move pots to a protected spot for winter dormancy in zones 3-6. Replenish the potting mix and divide overcrowded bulbs every 2-3 years.
Pest and Disease Prevention
Orange star plants are relatively pest and disease resistant with proper cultural care. Improve airflow and avoid overcrowding to prevent potential fungus problems. You may need to control slugs and snails if they damage new growth.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Yellow leaves – This is normal as the foliage dies back after blooming. Allow the leaves to yellow and die back naturally.
No blooms – Plant in full sun, fertilize regularly, and deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
Rotting bulbs – Caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. Improve drainage and keep dormant bulbs dry.
Rapid spreading – Contain growth by planting in pots. Be diligent about removing all bulb parts when digging out unwanted plants.
Enjoying Vibrant Orange Star Flowers
With its bright coloring and delicate texture, the orange star plant brings energy and beauty to the spring landscape. Follow this care guide to meet its preferences for full sun, well-draining soil, and seasonal moisture. With the right cultivation, you’ll enjoy this South African native as a thriving container plant or colorful garden accent.
Are orange star plants prone to pests and diseases?
Orange star plants tend to be healthy and strong growers in the right conditions. They are not generally prone to pests and diseases, but all parts of the plant are toxic and the sap can irritate the skin, so do wear gloves and long sleeves when handling.
How to keep an orange star plant looking good
Outside, orange star plants bloom every spring for a couple of months. If planted inside they can keep producing flowers for upto three months straight, but there are a couple tips to keep these bulbs looking good, wherever they are. ‘Remove any faded flowers by pulling gently to separate them from the main stem,’ say the team at Bakker.com. ‘When the leaves turn yellow the foliage can be cut back.’ This ensures that the plant has stored up enough energy to form flowers for the following year.
Feeding with a slow-release liquid fertiliser throughout the growing period will encourage strong healthy growth and prolific flowering for this season and the next. This is particularly worth doing if growing in containers.
ORANGE STAR PLANT CARE 101 (Star of Bethlehem Flower)
FAQ
Is the orange star plant an indoor or outdoor plant?
Orange Star can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
How often should I water an orange star?
Water your Sun Star a minimum of once a week during the growth season or when the topsoil feels dry to the touch to keep the soil moist.
What to do with orange star plant after it blooms?
Remove any spent flowers by gently pulling the spike from the main body of the plant. This may seem harmful, but once the plant has bloomed, it will die back on its own. But with proper care, it will come back into bloom each winter. Prune off foliage only after it has turned yellow and is dead.
What is the lifespan of an orange star?
Our sun is roughly halfway through its 10-billion-year estimated life span, and the star is expected to grow so large that it will make Earth uninhabitable in only 1 billion or 2 billion years. By contrast, orange dwarfs remain more stable and can last for between 15 billion and 45 billion years.
How do you care for an orange star plant?
Caring for an orange star plant is not difficult. Orange star plant care is based around keeping the bulb moist but not waterlogged. Plant your bulbs in a well-draining, sandy soil and water regularly. Ornithogalum orange star grows best in bright, indirect sunlight. Deadhead individual flowers as they fade.
Should you plant orange star plants in container garden ideas?
Another reason to raise them in container garden ideas instead. The orange star plant, also known as Ornithogalum dubium or star of Bethlehem, is a popular flowering bulb native to South Africa. With its clusters of bright orange, star-shaped blooms, this plant can add a pop of color and texture to gardens, borders, and containers.
What is an orange star plant?
The orange star plant (Ornithogalum dubium), also called star of Bethlehem or sun star, is a flowering bulb plant native to South Africa. It’s hardy in USDA zones 7 through 11 and produces stunning clusters of bright orange flowers. Keep reading to learn more orange star plant information.
Can Orange Star Plants grow indoors?
Before diving into care, let’s go over some key facts about the orange star plant: Originating in South Africa it can grow well outdoors year-round in USDA hardiness zones 7-11. In cooler zones it can be grown as an annual or potted and overwintered indoors. A bulb plant that goes dormant after flowering.
How often should you fertilize an orange star plant?
Apply a diluted fertilizer every four to six weeks. If you grow a potted orange star plant indoors, keep the plant in bright sunlight where it gets at least six hours of light.
How much water does an orange star plant need?
Orange star plants need sufficient water to thrive outdoors and indoors. Water the sun star plant enough so that the bulbs in the ground grow in moist soil. The best way to ensure this without making the ground soggy is to water whenever the top 2” (5 cm) of soil is dry.