Many flowers can be used to spruce up a Christmas arrangement, but only the Star of Bethlehem embodies the true meaning of this holiday. Keep reading to learn about the symbolism of this bloom and other fun facts!
Origin & Symbolism
The Star of Bethlehem flower, scientifically known as Ornithogalum umbellatum, is often associated with the birth of Jesus. Legend has it that God created the real Star of Bethlehem to guide the three wise men to the birthplace of Christ Child. Once the wise men arrived safely to their destination, God, thought the flower was too beautiful to banish and chose to keep it on earth. It is said that the star exploded into a million tiny pieces, becoming what we know now as the star-shaped bloom.
This stunning flower is a member of the Hyacinthaceae family and native to Southern Africa and Europe. It is often used in bridal bouquets and other wedding arrangements as a symbol of honesty and hope. Other meanings associated with this bloom are purity, innocence, and forgiveness.
Fun Facts
The Star of Bethlehem is similar to wild garlic but doesn’t have the same odor when crushed.
They can take over your garden and are extremely hard to get rid of. To keep them under control, be sure to grow them in containers.
The star bloom is on the list of the top most invasive exotic flowers in 10 states! Yikes!
Although this 6-petal flower is beautiful to the eye, it is known to contain alkaloids that can be poisonous to animals. So, keep an eye on your furry friends as they explore your garden!
Availability
The Star of Bethlehem is a winter flower that blooms in late spring or early summer. They are available in white, yellow, purple, orange, and even pink colors. Head to your local florist and see this beauty for yourself!
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FAQs
The flowers will only open when if full sunlight. The foliage is in a linear shape, green with a white stripe down the center of each leaf. Star of Bethlehem should be planted in a full sun to part shade position in the garden that has good well draining soil. The plant will grow and multiply vigorously.
How much light does Star of Bethlehem flower need? ›
Choose a spot that gets at least six hours a day of sunlight; these bulbs can grow with less sun but will not flower as spectacularly. Plant in soil that is well-draining, as these bulbs will rot if left in water. When the plant is growing, water if the soil becomes particularly dry; do not water during dormancy.
How do you get rid of the Star of Bethlehem flower? ›
You can try to dig up the star-of-Bethlehem, but it won't be easy. The best solution is to use an herbicide containing carfentrazone (Speedzone, Q4, etc.) to provide good control for this weed and you will want to apply it during the weed's early growth stages.
What are the side effects of Star of Bethlehem drops? ›
Consuming star of Bethlehem can lead to serious side effects, including death. Heart disease: Star of Bethlehem contains chemicals that can interfere with heart disease drugs and make heart disease worse. Avoid use. Low bloodpotassium levels: It's unsafe to use star of Bethlehem if you have low potassium levels.
How often does the Star of Bethlehem appear? ›
How often does the Star of Bethlehem appear? Roughly every 800 years. According to several astronomers, this type of planetary alignment will not be seen again until the year 2080 and then again in 2400.
Is the Star of Bethlehem flower a perennial? ›
Description: Star-of-Bethlehem is an herbaceous perennial that has been used as an ornamental. However, this plant is very invasive. This plant overwinters as a bulb with flowers produced in the spring. The white flowers have 6 petals.
Is the Star of Bethlehem flower invasive? ›
umbellatum), known as sleepydick, nap-at-noon, and common star-of-Bethlehem, is native to northern Africa, western Asia and Europe, and was also introduced as an ornamental plant. It has been reported to be invasive in the mid-Atlantic, Northeast and elsewhere.
How do you care for Star of Bethlehem cut flowers? ›
Place the flowers in deep, warm water (100 to 110 degrees) and preservative and let stand until they gradually come to room tem perature, a process that will take a couple of hours. Condition in high relative humidity (90 to 94 percent) in a cool, dark place. grees. Check water levels daily.
How poisonous is the Star of Bethlehem flower? ›
All plant parts of the star of Bethlehem are highly toxic. Among them, the bulbs contain the highest content of cardenolides, which act directly on the heart and can lead to severe symptoms of poisoning and even death.
What are the side effects of the Star of Bethlehem? ›
Every part of the Star of Bethlehem is laced with cardiac glycosides, potent chemicals that can wreak havoc on the human heart. These toxins are akin to digitalis, a medication used to treat heart conditions but deadly in uncontrolled doses. Even the water from a vase holding these flowers can be toxic.
All parts of this plant are poisonous to both humans and to animals.
What are the benefits of Star of Bethlehem flower medicine? ›
New Life Bach Flower Star Of Bethlehem 30 is a hom*oeopathic product formulated to help people overcome their traumatic experiences. This product gives the body energy to fight against mental plight and helps people to overcome shocks and emotional damage.
What pollinates the Star of Bethlehem flower? ›
Although it is insect-pollinated, its flowers are not attractive to most native pollinators and are often self-pollinated. The flowers are sometimes visited by honeybees.
What is the Star of Bethlehem flower remedy? ›
George’s Bach Flower Star of Bethlehem is a homeopathic medicine primarily used for the management of depression. It is highly useful for people suffering from after-effects of shock as is caused by unexpected bad news or any unexpected or unwelcome event.
Why is my Star of Bethlehem dying? ›
Your Star of Bethlehem might be drowning in excess moisture if you notice limp leaves or soil that feels more like a bog than a bed. Root rot could be the grim reaper lurking beneath the surface, so if the roots are turning a dark, mushy brown and the smell is reminiscent of a swamp, it's time to take action.
