Lily of the Valley
A beloved woodland groundcover with arching stems of intensely fragrant, tiny white bell flowers above pairs of smooth green leaves.
On this pageOverview
Meet Lily of the Valley
A beloved woodland groundcover with arching stems of intensely fragrant, tiny white bell flowers above pairs of smooth green leaves. Lily of the valley spreads aggressively by rhizomes and is best planted where it can naturalize freely in shade. All parts are poisonous, but the heavenly spring scent makes it a timeless garden classic.
When to plant Lily of the Valley
While lily of the valley produces red berries containing seeds, propagation by seed is rarely practiced because it is extremely slow and results are unpredictable. Seeds require prolonged cold stratification and may take a year or more to germinate. The standard propagation method is division of rhizome pips in autumn or very early spring. Simply dig up sections of the spreading colony and replant immediately in prepared soil. Each pip with a healthy root system will establish and begin spreading within one season.
We watch the calendar so you don't have to
Tell us where you garden once. We line your sow and harvest windows up with your local season — and nudge you the moment each one opens.
See your exact Lily of the Valley dates
Share your location once and we'll line every sow and harvest date up with your real local season — not a generic seed-packet guess.
Used once to set your season · never sharedHow to grow Lily of the Valley
Plant lily of the valley pips (rhizome divisions with growth buds) in autumn or early spring, setting them just below the soil surface with the pointed tips facing up, spaced four to six inches apart. Choose a partially to fully shaded location under deciduous trees, along north-facing walls, or in woodland settings where the soil stays cool and moist. Convallaria tolerates deep shade better than almost any other flowering plant.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish the spreading rhizome network. Once established, lily of the valley is essentially maintenance-free and will spread vigorously by underground runners to form dense, weed-suppressing carpets. In fact, its aggressive nature means you should plant it where spreading is welcome or contain it with physical root barriers sunk at least twelve inches deep.
The delicate, intensely fragrant white bells appear in mid-spring and last about three weeks. After flowering, the foliage persists as an attractive groundcover through summer before dying back in autumn. All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested, including the red berries that appear in late summer. Keep away from areas where children or pets play.
The bed planner spaces every plant for you
Pick a bed size and PlotMyGarden spaces your Lily of the Valley at 15 cm, counts how many fit, and lays the block out before you buy a single seed.
Lily of the Valley's best neighbours
Lily of the valley excels as a groundcover beneath shade trees and tall shrubs where few other plants will grow. It pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas, brunnera, and bleeding heart in woodland garden settings. Plant along shaded pathways near seating areas where the spring fragrance can be enjoyed. Keep away from small, delicate plants that cannot compete with its vigorous spreading habit.
It flags clashes before you plant, not after
Every plant you place is checked against its neighbours in real time. Good matches glow green; conflicts get flagged on the spot — so a season-wrecking mistake never makes it into the ground.
Feed it well
Lily of the valley thrives in moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. Amend planting areas with generous quantities of leaf mold, compost, or well-rotted manure. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges and top-dress annually with compost or leaf mold in autumn. The shallow root system benefits from a light organic mulch that retains moisture. Avoid alkaline conditions which can cause yellowing.
Ideal Temperature
Hardiness Zone Compatibility
From seed to harvest, stage by stage
Dormant Pip
Rhizome pips rest underground through winter, requiring a cold stratification period of at least 8-10 weeks below 5°C (41°F) to break dormancy. The chilling requirement is essential for proper flower bud initiation in the following spring season.
Shoot Emergence
As soil temperatures reach approximately 7-10°C (45-50°F) in early to mid-spring, tightly rolled leaf spears push through the soil surface. Each pip produces one to three shoots, with flower-bearing pips typically showing a slightly thicker, more rounded bud compared to leaf-only pips.
Leaf Unfurling
The tightly rolled shoots unfurl into two or three broad, elliptical leaves with prominent parallel venation. Leaves reach 10-25cm in length and 3-8cm in width. The flower scape begins to emerge from between the leaf bases, initially appearing as a slender green stalk.
Flowering
The arching flower scape reaches 15-30cm tall, bearing a one-sided raceme of 5-15 pendulous, white, bell-shaped flowers. Each individual flower is 5-8mm across with six fused tepals and emits the characteristic intense sweet fragrance. Flowering typically occurs from late April through May in temperate climates and lasts two to three weeks.
Berry Formation
After pollination, small green berries develop where flowers were attached. Over several weeks these ripen to bright orange-red, each berry 5-7mm in diameter containing one to several seeds. The berries are extremely toxic and should never be consumed. Each berry contains dangerous concentrations of cardiac glycosides.
Foliage Decline
Beginning in mid to late summer, leaves gradually yellow and begin to senesce as the plant redirects energy into the rhizome system for next year's growth. The foliage naturally browns and collapses by early autumn. This dieback is a normal part of the plant's life cycle and should not be cause for concern.
Rhizome Expansion
During the dormant season, the underground rhizome network continues to expand horizontally, producing new pips that will generate next year's shoots. A single established pip can spread to form a colony covering several square meters over a few years. New daughter pips form at the growing tips of lateral rhizome branches.
Ensure pips remain in moist but not waterlogged soil during dormancy. Apply a 5-8cm layer of organic mulch such as shredded leaves to insulate rhizomes and maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the cold months.
Caring for Lily of the Valley month by month
What to do each month for your Lily of the Valley
July
You are hereNo specific care tasks for this month.
Harvesting Lily of the Valley
Cut lily of the valley stems for fragrant indoor bouquets when the lowest bells on the stem have opened and the upper buds are still closed. Pull stems gently from the base rather than cutting to get the longest possible stem. Place immediately in cool water. The heavenly scent is powerful enough that a small bunch will perfume an entire room. Flowers last about a week in water. Remember to wash hands after handling, as all parts are toxic.
We count the days and tell you when to pick
Tell us when you planted and PlotMyGarden tracks the 365-day countdown to harvest, then pings you the day your Lily of the Valley is ready.
Storage & Preservation
Lily of the valley is best preserved as dried or forced pips. To force for winter bloom, dig mature pips in late autumn, trim roots to four inches, and refrigerate in damp peat moss for three to four weeks. Pot up and bring into warmth for flowers in about three weeks. For dried arrangements, hang flower stems upside down in a dark, well-ventilated space. The scent does not persist in dried flowers. Pips for planting can be stored briefly in damp peat in the refrigerator.
What goes wrong — and the fix
Anthracnose
DiseaseLarge, oval tan spots with dark borders on leaves, causing foliage to look ragged and unsightly by midsummer.
Spider Mites
PestFine stippling on leaves, bronzed or yellowed foliage, tiny webs visible on undersides of leaves during hot, dry periods.
Stem Rot
DiseaseSoft, mushy stems at the base, wilting foliage, foul-smelling decay in waterlogged conditions.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The greatest challenge is controlling the aggressive spread, as lily of the valley can invade lawns, borders, and neighboring gardens via its vigorous underground rhizomes. Install root barriers at planting time to contain it. Failure to flower usually results from too much shade, overcrowding, or newly planted pips needing time to establish. Foliage can look shabby by late summer, especially in hot climates, so interplant with late-emerging perennials.
Growing Tips
- Plant rhizome pips horizontally at a depth of only 2-3cm with the growing point (bud) facing upward, spacing them 10-15cm apart in humus-rich, consistently moist but well-drained soil for optimal establishment
- Select a planting location in partial to full shade; lily of the valley thrives beneath deciduous trees where it receives dappled spring sunlight but is protected from intense afternoon sun that causes leaf scorch
- Amend heavy clay soils with generous quantities of leaf mold, composted bark, or well-rotted garden compost to improve drainage and create the loose, organic-rich substrate that convallaria prefers
- Install a physical root barrier made of thick plastic or metal edging buried at least 30cm deep around convallaria beds to prevent the vigorous rhizomes from spreading into adjacent garden areas or lawn
- Water established colonies deeply during prolonged dry periods in summer, applying approximately 2.5cm of water per week to prevent premature foliage dieback and ensure strong rhizome development for next year
- Avoid fertilizing with high-nitrogen products which promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering; instead, apply a top-dressing of composted leaf mold in autumn to naturally enrich the soil
- Always wear protective gloves when planting, dividing, weeding, or handling any part of the plant including dead foliage, as the cardiac glycosides can be absorbed through skin abrasions and cause irritation
- Divide overcrowded colonies every 3-4 years in early autumn after foliage has died back to maintain vigorous flowering and prevent the center of the colony from becoming sparse and unproductive
- Keep all parts of the plant, including cut flowers and vase water, completely away from children, pets, and food preparation areas, and educate all household members about the plant's extreme toxicity
- Companion plant with shade-tolerant species such as hostas, ferns, astilbe, and hellebores that share similar cultural requirements and create visually appealing textural contrasts in the woodland garden
Pick your Lily of the Valley
Rosea
A delicate form with pale pink-mauve bells that add a subtle warm tone to shaded areas, less vigorous than the white species.
Flore Pleno
A double-flowered form with extra petals creating fuller bells, slightly more upright and showy than the species.
Albostriata
Green leaves with elegant creamy-white longitudinal stripes that provide ornamental interest even when not in flower.
Fortin's Giant
A larger selection reaching twelve inches with bigger flowers and bolder foliage, excellent where maximum impact is desired.
Convallaria majalis is one of the most cost-effective ornamental ground covers available once established. A single purchase of 20-25 rhizome pips (typically costing $15-25 USD) can colonize an area of several square meters within 3-4 years through natural rhizome spreading, eliminating the need for additional plant purchases. The plant's aggressive spreading habit means division of existing colonies provides an essentially unlimited supply of new plants at no cost. Compared to annual bedding plants that require yearly replacement in shaded areas, established lily of the valley colonies are virtually maintenance-free perennials that return reliably for decades, representing significant long-term savings on garden planting costs. Note that this is a purely ornamental plant with no edible value whatsoever due to its extreme toxicity.
Quick recipes
Lily of the Valley Fragrance Potpourri (Non-Edible Craft)
20 minutes plus 2-3 weeks dryingA dried flower craft project to preserve the fragrance of lily of the valley blooms. This is NOT a food recipe. Always wear gloves when handling plant material and keep the finished potpourri well away from children, pets, and food preparation areas. Wash hands thoroughly after crafting.
5 ingredientsPressed Lily of the Valley Botanical Art (Non-Edible Craft)
15 minutes plus 3-4 weeks pressingA botanical pressing project to create framed artwork from lily of the valley flowers and leaves. This is a decorative craft only, NOT a food recipe. Wear gloves when handling all plant parts. The pressed specimens retain their toxic properties indefinitely and should be sealed behind glass.
5 ingredientsLily of the Valley Forcing Arrangement (Indoor Winter Blooms)
30 minutes plus 3-4 weeks forcing periodForce pre-chilled lily of the valley pips to bloom indoors during winter months for fragrant displays. This is a horticultural technique, NOT a food recipe. Wear gloves when handling rhizomes and keep arrangements away from children, pets, and food surfaces. Dispose of water from the container safely.
5 ingredientsWhat's inside
Health Benefits
- CRITICAL WARNING: Convallaria majalis is EXTREMELY TOXIC and must never be ingested, brewed, or used in any homemade herbal preparation under any circumstances
- Pharmaceutical-grade cardiac glycosides derived from the plant have been studied for use in treating congestive heart failure and certain cardiac arrhythmias, but only under strict medical supervision with precisely controlled dosages
- The fragrance of lily of the valley in outdoor garden settings is widely reported to have a calming and mood-lifting effect, contributing positively to mental well-being during the spring blooming season
- Growing convallaria as ornamental ground cover in shaded areas supports garden biodiversity by providing early-season shelter for beneficial ground-dwelling insects and invertebrates
- Established colonies of lily of the valley provide effective erosion control on shaded slopes and banks where few other ornamental ground covers will thrive
- The dense leaf canopy produced by convallaria colonies suppresses weed germination and growth, reducing the need for herbicides or labor-intensive hand weeding in shaded garden areas
Where Lily of the Valley comes from
Convallaria majalis, commonly known as lily of the valley, is native to the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with its natural range spanning across Europe, from the British Isles and Scandinavia through Central and Eastern Europe, and extending into parts of northern Asia and eastern North America. The plant thrives in the deciduous woodland understory, where it has evolved to exploit the brief window of spring sunlight before the tree canopy fully closes overhead. Archaeological and historical records suggest that humans have cultivated and revered this plant for well over a thousand years. Ancient herbalists, including those in the Anglo-Saxon tradition, referenced the plant for its purported medicinal properties, particularly related to heart ailments, a use that modern pharmacology has validated through the identification of potent cardiac glycosides such as convallatoxin and convallamarin within its tissues. During the medieval period, lily of the valley became deeply embedded in Christian symbolism, associated with the Virgin Mary and frequently depicted in religious art as a symbol of purity, humility, and the return of happiness. The plant's cultural significance reached courtly society when King Charles IX of France established the tradition of gifting lily of the valley sprigs on the first of May in 1561, a custom that persists to this day as La Fete du Muguet. By the Victorian era, the flower had become a staple of bridal bouquets and formal gardens across Europe, prized for its intoxicating fragrance and elegant form. It was introduced widely across North America by European settlers and has since naturalized in many regions, sometimes becoming invasive in favorable conditions. Throughout its long history of cultivation, the plant's extreme toxicity has been well documented, serving as both a cautionary tale and a source of pharmaceutical interest.
Lily of the Valley: did you know?
Fascinating facts about Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis has been the national flower of Finland since 1967, symbolizing purity and the return of happiness with spring, despite being one of the most toxic garden plants in the Northern Hemisphere.
Lily of the Valley questions, answered
When should I plant Lily of the Valley?
What are good companion plants for Lily of the Valley?
What hardiness zones can Lily of the Valley grow in?
How much sun does Lily of the Valley need?
How far apart should I space Lily of the Valley?
What pests and diseases affect Lily of the Valley?
How do I store Lily of the Valley after harvest?
What are the best Lily of the Valley varieties to grow?
What soil does Lily of the Valley need?
How toxic is lily of the valley, and what should I do if someone ingests it?
Why is my lily of the valley producing leaves but no flowers?
How do I stop lily of the valley from spreading into other parts of my garden?
Can I grow lily of the valley in containers or indoors?
Is it safe to compost lily of the valley plant material?
What pests and diseases commonly affect Convallaria majalis?
You just read the theory. Now grow it on autopilot.
Everything that makes Lily of the Valley fiddly — the timing, the spacing, the companions, the harvest window — is exactly what PlotMyGarden handles for you, for every plant in your garden.
A plan that knows your weather
Set your location once. Get sow, feed and harvest dates built around your real last-frost date and live forecast — no more guessing from a generic seed packet.
From the “When to plant” sectionDrag-and-drop bed planner
Design beds on a grid. Every plant snaps to its proper spacing, and you can see your whole season laid out before you spend a cent on seed.
From the “Growing guide” sectionCompanion conflicts, caught early
200+ good-and-bad pairings checked live as you plant — so a season-wrecking mistake never makes it into the ground.
From the “Companions” sectionReminders you'll actually act on
“Water the beans.” “Pick today before it turns.” Timely, specific, and tied to the plants you're really growing.
From the “Harvest” sectionSuccession, scheduled
Want a harvest for six weeks, not six days? It spaces your sowings automatically and reminds you when each new block is due.
From the “When to plant” sectionA record that gets smarter
Every harvest you log teaches it your garden. Next year's plan starts from what actually worked in your soil, not a textbook's.
From the “Overview” sectionPlant these alongside Lily of the Valley
More Bulbs
Grow your best Lily of the Valley yet — and everything around it.
Start a free plan today. Lay out your beds, drop in your Lily of the Valley, and let PlotMyGarden handle the timing, spacing, companions and reminders from seed to harvest basket.