Ipheion uniflorum aka Springstar

Taxonomy

Ipheion uniflorum, also known as springstar or spring starflower, is a species of flowering plant in the allium subfamily of the Amaryllidaceae family. Native to Argentina and Uruguay, it has become widely cultivated as an ornamental and has reportedly naturalized in various countries including Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. This deciduous bulb grows up to 20cm tall, forming a clump of narrow leaves. It blooms in late winter and early spring, with star-shaped light pink flowers that are 4cm wide and slightly darker in the center of each petal. The Spring Starflower is a bulbous perennial that spreads if left undisturbed and can tolerate drought, although it should be kept moist during the growing season.

Common names

Springstar, Spring Star, Spring Starflower, Star Flower

How to care for Springstar

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Springstar due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Springstar should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Springstar loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Springstar thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Spring Starflower.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Growth-pattern

The Springstar displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.


More info:
Wikipedia