Colicroot Plant Care
Aletris farinosa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aletris farinosa, called the unicorn root, true unicorn, crow-corn, white colic-root or white stargrass, is a plant species found across much of the eastern United States. It has also been reported from the southern part of Ontario, Canada.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Colicroot?
Water Colicroot every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Colicroot?
Colicroot (Aletris farinosa) belongs to the Nartheciaceae family within the Aletris genus. Colicroot is also known as Star Grass, White Star Grass, Crow Corn.
Colicroot displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Colicroot produces spiked racemes of small, white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 10 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Colicroot?
Aletris farinosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Colicroot Need?
Colicroot thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 50–200 lux. Avoid placing Colicroot in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
50–200 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Colicroot Prefer?
Aletris farinosa grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Colicroot prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Colicroot?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Colicroot to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Colicroot?
Feed Colicroot every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Colicroot?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Colicroot?
Colicroot can be propagated through division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden colicroot plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Colicroot Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Colicroot, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Colicroot?
Colicroot is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Colicroot Need?
Colicroot grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Colicroot as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Colicroot is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Aletris genus — compare its care with other Aletris species on PlantoScan.
Aletris is part of the Nartheciaceae plant family — browse all Nartheciaceae genera and species.
Colicroot copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aletris farinosa L., family Nartheciaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 319 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Colicroot, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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