California Woodland Star Plant Care

California Woodland Star (Lithophragma affine) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family within the Lithophragma genus. California Woodland Star is native to the coast of western North America from Oregon to Baja California.

California Woodland Star displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. California Woodland Star produces delicate, star-shaped white or pink flowers on tall stems.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted California Woodland Star every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

California Woodland Star thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing California Woodland Star in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Lithophragma affine tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. California Woodland Star prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for California Woodland Star to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed California Woodland Star every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and well-draining, sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

California Woodland Star is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

California Woodland Star can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune California Woodland Star while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

California Woodland Star is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

California Woodland Star can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bolander's woodland star plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

California Woodland Star is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. 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.

California Woodland Star grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. California Woodland Star is native to the coast of western North America from Oregon to Baja California. In cooler regions, grow California Woodland Star as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.