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Star False Solomon's-seal

Maianthemum stellatum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Maianthemum stellatum is a woodland forb that produces small star shaped white flowers from May to June, growing best in part shade to shade with medium, well drained soil.

Star False Solomon's-seal (Maianthemum stellatum)
Photo: (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton

Toxicity unknown

Star False Solomon's-seal (Maianthemum stellatum) 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"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, CT and 35 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

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.

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Star false solomon's-seal is a graceful woodland perennial with arching stems and oval leaves that create an elegant, layered appearance. It produces small white star-shaped flowers in spring followed by red berries, and the foliage turns golden yellow in fall.

Growing Star False Solomon's-seal

Grow Star False Solomon's-seal in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 8 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Star False Solomon's-seal is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beetles in late spring. The red berries provide food for birds and small wildlife in summer.

Common questions

When does Star False Solomon's-seal bloom?
It flowers in May and June, producing small clusters of star shaped white blossoms along an upright stem.
What pollinators visit Star False Solomon's-seal?
Bees and beetles are the main visitors, drawn to the small white flowers for pollen and nectar.
What growing conditions suit Star False Solomon's-seal best?
It does well in part shade to shade with medium soil moisture, similar to the woodland edges and forest floors where it commonly grows.
Does Star False Solomon's-seal stay green year round?
No. It is an herbaceous perennial forb that dies back to the ground in fall and sends up new growth again in spring.
Is Star False Solomon's-seal HOA-friendly?
Star False Solomon's-seal is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.

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Ready to grow Star False Solomon's-seal? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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