Eastern shooting star
Primula meadia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Eastern shooting star (Primula meadia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
8"–16" H × 6"–10" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, DC, FL and 25 more states
Pollinators
bumble bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
A neat basal rosette of smooth leaves sends up a leafless stalk carrying a cluster of nodding, reflexed pink to lavender flowers with swept-back petals, resembling tiny shooting stars. The plant goes fully and tidily dormant by midsummer.
Wildlife value
The flowers require buzz pollination and are worked almost exclusively by bumble bees, which vibrate pollen loose from the anthers.
Common questions
- How much sun does Eastern shooting star need?
- Eastern shooting star grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Eastern shooting star bloom?
- Eastern shooting star blooms in April and May.
- Where is Eastern shooting star native?
- Eastern shooting star (Primula meadia) is native to AL, AR, DC, FL and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Eastern shooting star attract?
- Eastern shooting star draws bumble bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Eastern shooting star? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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