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Flower profile

Star of Bethlehem

Quick facts

Botanical name: Ornithogalum spp. (O. thyrsoides, O. arabicum, O. dubium). In SAF's language of flowers, Star of Bethlehem means hope.

Star of Bethlehem at a glance

Meaning
hope
Colors
  • White
  • Orange
  • Yellow
Season
Summer bloom in the garden; available as a cut flower much of the year from greenhouse growers.
Special care
Buy spikes with the lowest few flowers open and the rest in bud. Re-cut, use flower food and change water regularly; blooms keep opening up the spike.
Also called
Chincherinchee, Arabian star flower

About star of Bethlehem

A bulb flower with a spike of many star-shaped blooms that open from the bottom up over a long period. Most are white, sometimes with a dark or green center; O. dubium is orange.

How to make star of Bethlehem last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For star of Bethlehem. Buy spikes with the lowest few flowers open and the rest in bud. Re-cut, use flower food and change water regularly; blooms keep opening up the spike.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about star of Bethlehem

What does the Star of Bethlehem mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the Star of Bethlehem stands for "hope".

What colors do Star of Bethlehem come in?

Star of Bethlehem come in white, orange and yellow.

How do you care for Star of Bethlehem?

Keep Star of Bethlehem cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For Star of Bethlehem: Buy spikes with the lowest few flowers open and the rest in bud. Re-cut, use flower food and change water regularly; blooms keep opening up the spike.

Where can I buy Star of Bethlehem?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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