When does Yellow Star-grass bloom?

Hypoxis hirsuta blooms from May through July, opening its small yellow, six-petaled flowers on sunny mornings.

What pollinates Yellow Star-grass?

Bees and beetles are the primary visitors to Hypoxis hirsuta flowers, gathering pollen from the open yellow blooms.

What growing conditions suit Hypoxis hirsuta best?

This plant does best in full sun with low water needs, growing in well-drained soils found in prairies, rocky glades, and open woodland edges.

Is Yellow Star-grass evergreen?

No. Hypoxis hirsuta is a deciduous perennial that dies back to a small underground corm in fall and sends up new grass-like leaves in spring.

Is Yellow Star-grass toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Yellow Star-grass as toxic to livestock.

Is Yellow Star-grass HOA-friendly?

Yellow Star-grass is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Yellow Star-grass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Hypoxis hirsuta

Last reviewed: September 2026

Hypoxis hirsuta, or Yellow Star-grass, is a low-growing forb that blooms May through July with small six-petaled yellow flowers. It thrives in full sun with low water in prairies, glades, and open woodlands across much of the eastern and central United States.

Toxicity unknown

Yellow Star-grass (Hypoxis hirsuta) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Yellow Star-grass as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CO, CT and 34 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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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Yellow star-grass is a small native wildflower that produces bright yellow, star-shaped blooms from May through July. This compact perennial forms neat clumps of grass-like foliage and thrives in sunny locations with minimal water once established.

Growing Yellow Star-grass

Grow Yellow Star-grass in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 2 to 6 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Yellow Star-grass is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: foundation, mid zone.

Very small size may appear insignificant in formal landscapes
Grass-like foliage could be mistaken for weeds by some

Wildlife value

The cheerful yellow flowers attract native bees and beetles during the spring and summer months. Its compact size makes it useful for pollinators in smaller garden spaces.

Common questions

When does Yellow Star-grass bloom?: Hypoxis hirsuta blooms from May through July, opening its small yellow, six-petaled flowers on sunny mornings.
What pollinates Yellow Star-grass?: Bees and beetles are the primary visitors to Hypoxis hirsuta flowers, gathering pollen from the open yellow blooms.
What growing conditions suit Hypoxis hirsuta best?: This plant does best in full sun with low water needs, growing in well-drained soils found in prairies, rocky glades, and open woodland edges.
Is Yellow Star-grass evergreen?: No. Hypoxis hirsuta is a deciduous perennial that dies back to a small underground corm in fall and sends up new grass-like leaves in spring.
Is Yellow Star-grass toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Yellow Star-grass as toxic to livestock.
Is Yellow Star-grass HOA-friendly?: Yellow Star-grass 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 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.

See all plant problem guides

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