Ornithogalum dubium, common names sun star or star of Bethlehem, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. While blooming, keep soil moist and put in an area with bright indirect light. 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. Before this it is still gathering sunlight to use for the next year’s growth. Once the blooming period has finished and the leaves die back, this plant requires a bit of a rest – it will need a cool, dry dormant period and you should limit watering. Some people say to not water until the plant begins growth again, which is fine – just don’t let it dry out. Once it begins to start growing again, you can begin to water and fertilize the plant and wait for those beautiful vibrant blooms. Check the soil every few days to make sure it is moist – water as needed.
