Small Star-of-Bethlehem Plant Care
Gagea minima (L.) Ker Gawl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Gagea minima, known as the least gagea, is a Eurasian species of plants in the lily family.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Small Star-of-Bethlehem?
Small Star-of-Bethlehem grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Small Star-of-Bethlehem?
Small Star-of-Bethlehem (Gagea minima) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Gagea genus. Small Star-of-Bethlehem is also known as Least Star-of-Bethlehem.
Small Star-of-Bethlehem displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Small Star-of-Bethlehem produces small star-shaped flowers in shades of yellow or white.
What Light Does the Small Star-of-Bethlehem Need?
Small Star-of-Bethlehem thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small Star-of-Bethlehem?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Small Star-of-Bethlehem to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Small Star-of-Bethlehem?
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 Small Star-of-Bethlehem?
Small Star-of-Bethlehem can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to slender star-of-bethlehem plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small Star-of-Bethlehem Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small Star-of-Bethlehem, 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 Small Star-of-Bethlehem?
Small Star-of-Bethlehem is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Small Star-of-Bethlehem 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 Gagea genus — compare its care with other Gagea species on PlantoScan.
Gagea is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.
Small Star-of-Bethlehem thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Gagea Species
Other Gagea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gagea minima (L.) Ker Gawl., family Liliaceae (first published in J. Sci. Arts (London) 1: 180 (1816)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small Star-of-Bethlehem, 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.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Small Star-of-Bethlehem Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species