Northern Star-of-Bethlehem Plant Care
Lysimachia borealis (Raf.) U.Manns & Anderb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lysimachia borealis, the starflower, is a North American woodland perennial that blooms between May and June.
Partial to full shade
At a glance
How do you care for Northern Star-of-Bethlehem?
Northern Star-of-Bethlehem grows best in partial to full shade.
What Is the Northern Star-of-Bethlehem?
Northern Star-of-Bethlehem (Lysimachia borealis) belongs to the Primulaceae family within the Lysimachia genus. Northern Star-of-Bethlehem is also known as Star-of-Bethlehem.
Northern Star-of-Bethlehem displays a spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Northern Star-of-Bethlehem produces small, yellow, star-shaped flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Northern Star-of-Bethlehem Need?
Northern Star-of-Bethlehem thrives in partial to full shade. Avoid placing Northern Star-of-Bethlehem in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Northern Star-of-Bethlehem?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Northern Star-of-Bethlehem to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Northern Star-of-Bethlehem?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in 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 Northern Star-of-Bethlehem?
Northern Star-of-Bethlehem can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fringed loosestrife plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Northern Star-of-Bethlehem Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Northern 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 Northern Star-of-Bethlehem?
Northern 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
Northern 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 Lysimachia genus — compare its care with other Lysimachia species on PlantoScan.
Lysimachia is part of the Primulaceae plant family — browse all Primulaceae genera and species.
Northern Star-of-Bethlehem copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Lysimachia Species
Other Lysimachia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lysimachia borealis (Raf.) U.Manns & Anderb., family Primulaceae (first published in Willdenowia 39: 51 (2009)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Northern 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.
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