Yellow Star Of Bethlehem
Gagea lutea
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Pl. 44CC — Gagea lutea
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IOverview
Overview
Yellow Star of Bethlehem, scientifically known as Gagea lutea, is a small bulbous plant native to central and eastern Europe, as well as parts of Asia. It grows in moist, light to heavy soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, thriving in hardiness zones 5-9. This plant is valued for its edible leaves and roots, which are often used in culinary dishes. Its native range includes countries such as Afghanistan, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and several others. One distinctive feature of Yellow Star of Bethlehem is its light, airy appearance; it typically reaches a height of only 0.2 meters, making it an ornamental addition to gardens with its delicate star-shaped flowers.
Quick answers
What is Yellow Star Of Bethlehem?
Yellow Star of Bethlehem, scientifically known as Gagea lutea, is a small bulbous plant native to central and eastern Europe, as well as parts of Asia. It grows in moist, light to heavy soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, thriving in hardiness zones 5-9.
What is Yellow Star Of Bethlehem used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Yellow Star Of Bethlehem
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Yellow Star of Bethlehem has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for digestive issues, often prepared as a decoction to soothe the stomach and aid digestion.
The mechanism by which Gagea lutea supports digestion is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that interact with gastrointestinal receptors or enzymes.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Yellow Star Of Bethlehem support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Yellow Star of Bethlehem thrives in light to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) with a pH between 7 and 7.5. The plant is hardy in temperate regions, specifically zones 5-9. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Propagate via root division or seed sowing directly into the garden bed during early spring or late summer. Harvest edible parts—leaves and roots—from established plants for culinary use.
Light
4/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Mature size
0.2 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Yellow Star Of Bethlehem for the first time
8steps
Start with Yellow Star Of Bethlehem as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot or planting area, well-draining soil, and some Gagea lutea bulbs.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in late summer or early fall for best results.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is light (sandy), medium, or heavy with a pH of 7–7.5. A well-draining pot is ideal.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs about 2-3 times their depth in the soil, spacing them around 10 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Avoid direct sunlight during this period.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water sparingly once leaves appear and stop watering when foliage dies back in late spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
No need to harvest; simply allow the plant to die down naturally after flowering.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to provide well-draining soil.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesRoot
Edible uses: The Yellow Star Of Bethlehem is edible with its leaves and roots being the main parts consumed. Typically, these are prepared raw or cooked. The plant thrives in moist, well-drained soils with a pH of 7-7.5, making it suitable for gardens with similar conditions.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe14 regions
native (14)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia6 regions
native (6)AfghanistanIranJapanKazakhstanNepalSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Altay, West Himalaya, Yugoslavia, Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Himalaya, Kuril Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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