Falling Stars Plant Care
Crocosmia ambongensis (H.Perrier) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Crocosmia ambongensis, the Madagascan montbretia, is a perennial flowering plant that is part of the Iridaceae family. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Falling Stars?
Water Falling Stars every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Falling Stars Native To?
What Is the Falling Stars?
Falling Stars (Crocosmia ambongensis) belongs to the Iridaceae family within the Crocosmia genus. Falling Stars is native to Madagascar.
Falling Stars displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Falling Stars produces showy funnel-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Falling Stars?
Crocosmia ambongensis 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 Falling Stars Need?
Falling Stars thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Falling Stars Prefer?
Crocosmia ambongensis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Falling Stars prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Falling Stars?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Falling Stars to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Falling Stars?
Feed Falling Stars 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 Falling Stars?
Divide and repot every 3-4 years. 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 Falling Stars?
Falling Stars can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to montbretia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Falling Stars Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Falling Stars, 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 Falling Stars?
Falling Stars is susceptible to aphids, 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 Falling Stars Need?
Falling Stars grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Falling Stars is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Falling Stars as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Falling Stars 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 Crocosmia genus — compare its care with other Crocosmia species on PlantoScan.
Crocosmia is part of the Iridaceae plant family — browse all Iridaceae genera and species.
Falling Stars thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Crocosmia Species
Other Crocosmia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Crocosmia ambongensis (H.Perrier) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning, family Iridaceae (first published in Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 12: 63 (1990)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Falling Stars, 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 12a, 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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