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Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a delicate and pretty plant that produces a delightfully fragrant white flower. While its name would lead you to believe that Lily of the Valley belongs to the lily family, it is actually part of the asparagus family!
It’s a hardy plant that quickly covers the ground and thrives in the shade. Lily of the Valley is a good solution for homeowners who don’t want to mow the grass on a regular basis, but who still want a robust green garden. Dotted with curved wooden benches, a birdbath or two, and some colourful flower beds, Lily of the Valley looks lovely and smells fantastic. What an elegant and low-maintenance alternative to grass!
What Is Lily of The Valley?
Lily of the Valley is a woodland flowering plant that is native to Asia and Europe but has been imported around the world. It is often considered an invasive species in North and South America because it grows quickly and will overtake other native vegetation. It has bell-shaped white flowers that emit a sweet fragrance, which makes them a popular choice in any garden.
Also referred to as May Bells, Mary’s Tears, and Our Lady’s Tears, it can be found as an ingredient in perfumes under the moniker muguet (its French name).[1] It was used as an ingredient in medieval medicine, often listed in archaic recipes as glovewort because it was used to treat hand maladies. Lily of the Valley is densely packed with cardiac glycosides, which can cause heart failure in both humans and animals. Exercise caution when planting near children or curious pets.
Common Lily of the Valley cultivars include[2] Rosea, which produces flowers with a slight pink tinge. For white edges, choose Albomarginata, or go with Albostriata for whiteish stripes that fade to green. For a more golden yellow colour, plant Fernwood’s Golden Slippers. Aureovariegata, Hardwick Hall, and Crema da Mint all feature light green stripes across the foliage.
Where Can You Buy Lily of the Valley?
You won’t always be able to find Lily of the Valley in your local garden centre, but thankfully you can find it online. You’ll typically see it sold in two forms: roots with ‘pips’ (the buds of new plants), and in pots, which are easier to grow.[3]
When Does Lily of The Valley Flower?
Lily of the Valley will start to bloom in the early to mid-spring, producing sweet little flowers with an intoxicating perfume. They tend to bloom for three weeks to a month. You can grow this plant indoors if you want it to bloom throughout the year.[4]
When Should You Plant Lily of The Valley?
While you can plant your Lily of the Valley any time of year, providing that the soil is not frozen, it tends to do best in the UK when planted between September and October.
How to Grow Lily of the Valley?
It is easiest to grow Lily of the Valley from a pot (see the method below) before transplanting into your garden.[5] Plant your Lily of the Valley in a shady area of your garden, ensuring that the soil is moist by never waterlogged. Add plenty of well-rotted compost to the area.
Dig a hole that is double the width of the root ball, and add some blood, fish and bone meal, working into the soil. Add the plant to the hole and cover with soil so that the plant is at the depth it was when it was in the pot. Pat the soil down gently, and water well.
If you are planting roots or pips, soak the pips for at least 30 minutes. Dig a hole just slightly larger than the roots and add the roots to the hole (there is no top or bottom to the roots). The top should be less than a centimetre below the soil surface. Gently cover with loose soil, and sprinkle with some blood, fish and bone meal. Water thoroughly.
Plant Care Tips for Lily of the Valley
Does it prefer sun or shade?
Lily of the Valley thrives in the shade, but it can do well in the sun, providing that the water amount is increased.
Watering advice
Lily of the Valley prefers moist soil but must never be waterlogged. Do not let the soil dry out, as this will kill the plant. Other than during heatwaves, 2 to 3 cm of water is sufficient each week, either through irrigation or direct watering.[6]
Soil tips for Lily of the Valley
It prefers rich, well-drained soil that remains moist but never waterlogged.
Advice for Growing Lily of the Valley in Pots
It is easy to grow Lily of the Valley in pots.[7] Choose a deep container, because the plant has long roots that like to spread. You can trim the roots a few centimetres, but don’t go too far. Plant your rhizome in some high-quality potting soil 3 to 6 cm apart and cover the buds with soil. Once planted, place the pots in indirect sunlight, and keep it indoors until early spring before moving it outside.
Common Lily of the Valley Diseases
The following diseases can be addressed with fungicides, or in the case of foliar nematodes, destroying the plant.[8]
- Southern Blight causes tan ball structures to grow near the base of the soil, and causes your plants to wilt and die.
- Anthracnose and Aureobasidium causes water-soaked spots that then scale up to reddish brown spots all over the leaves. To prevent, water the soil instead of the plants.
- Rust – Rust causes small yellow spots to develop on the tops of the leaves, and brown spore masses to form on the undersides.
- Foliar nematode – The veins turn brown and yellow, and the plant must be destroyed.
Lily of the Valley Pests
Lily of the Valley is rarely bothered by pests because it is highly toxic.[9] However, certain pests can snack on the plants, especially if the weather is hot and dry. Spider mites can cause the leaves to turn yellow, and weevils will occasionally make an appearance. Snails and slugs also enjoy the foliage, leaving ragged holes across the entire plant. While this will not kill the plant, it will slow down its growth.
Lily of the Valley FAQs
Is Lily of the Valley hardy or non-hardy?
Hardy in zones 3-9.[10]
Soil types?
Lily of the Valley grows in all types of moist soil, from clay to sandy.
Shade type?
Great for ground cover in the shade – prefers dappled shade but will handle heavy shade cover.
Is Lily of the Valley evergreen?
Yes, it remains green year-round.
Is Lily of the Valley easy to care for?
Yes, it is a straightforward plant to care for, and doesn’t need a lot of care to grow and thrive.
Is Lily of the Valley suitable for small gardens?
Yes, and Alan Titchmarsh is a huge fan![11]
Can be planted in containers or pots?
Yes, Lily of the Valley thrives in containers and pots – see above.
Blooming month?
Mid-March to May.
Is Lily of The Valley Invasive?
Yes, if it escapes your garden it can grow in dense clumps, overtaking natural vegetation.
Can Lily of The Valley Grow in Full Sun?
While Lily of the Valley prefers at least partial shade, it can be adapted to partial or full sun as long as watering amounts are adjusted.[12]
Is Lily of The Valley Poisonous?
Yes, it is highly toxic and can occasionally result in death. Great care should be taken to keep pets and children away from the plants.
Lily of the Valley is an excellent choice for many gardeners. Is this attractive and easy-to-grow plant right for your garden?
Reference list
Baessler, L. (2019a). How to Grow Lily of the Valley in Pots. [online] www.gardeningknowhow.com. Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/lily-of-the-valley-in-pots.htm [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Baessler, L. (2019b). Lily of the Valley. [online] www.gardeningknowhow.com. Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/lily-of-the-valley-varieties.htm [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Beaulieu, D. (2020). Use Caution When Growing Lily of the Valley. [online] The Spruce. Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/lily-of-the-valley-2132623#:~:text=Lily%20of%20the%20valley%20likes [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Christensen, J. (2018). When Does the Lily of the Valley Bloom Outdoors? [online] Home Guides | SF Gate. Available at: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/lily-valley-bloom-outdoors-80136.html#:~:text=The%20delicate%2C%20fragrant%20flowers%20of [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Grant, B. (2018). Pests On Lily Of The Valley : Bugs And Animals That Eat Lily Of The Valley Plants. [online] www.gardeningknowhow.com. Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/lily-of-the-valley-plant-pests.htm [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Longfield Gardens (2020). All About Lily of the Valley. [online] www.longfield-gardens.com. Available at: https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/All-About-Lily-of-the-Valley#:~:text=ZONE%3A%20Lily%20of%20the%20valley [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Marks, D. (2019). Expert advice on growing Lily of the Valley. [online] www.gardenfocused.co.uk. Available at: https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/plants/lily-of-the-valley.php [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Penn State (2016). Lily Of The Valley (Convallaria) Diseases. [online] Penn State Extension. Available at: https://extension.psu.edu/lily-of-the-valley-convallaria-diseases [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Tilley, N. (2019). Growing Lily Of the Valley: When To Plant Lily Of The Valley. [online] Gardening Know How. Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/growing-lily-of-the-valley.htm [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Titchmarsh, A. (2014). Small wonder: Alan Titchmarsh on growing lily of the valley. [online] Express.co.uk. Available at: https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/467225/How-to-grow-lily-of-the-valley-in-your-garden [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
Wikipedia Contributors (2020). Lily of the valley. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_of_the_valley [Accessed 16 Aug. 2020].
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_of_the_valley
[2] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/lily-of-the-valley-varieties.htm
[3] https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/plants/lily-of-the-valley.php
[4] https://homeguides.sfgate.com/lily-valley-bloom-outdoors-80136.html#:~:text=The%20delicate%2C%20fragrant%20flowers%20of,to%20bloom%20out%20of%20season.
[5]https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/plants/lily-of-the-valley.php
[6] https://www.thespruce.com/lily-of-the-valley-2132623#:~:text=Lily%20of%20the%20valley%20likes,be%20required%20during%20hot%20spells.
[7] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/lily-of-the-valley-in-pots.htm
[8] https://extension.psu.edu/lily-of-the-valley-convallaria-diseases
[9] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/lily-of-the-valley-plant-pests.htm
[10] https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/All-About-Lily-of-the-Valley#:~:text=ZONE%3A%20Lily%20of%20the%20valley,the%20plants%20are%20still%20dormant.
[11] https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/467225/How-to-grow-lily-of-the-valley-in-your-garden
[12] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/growing-lily-of-the-valley.htm
Anna is the marketing and office manager for Garden Benches – a premium supplier of high-quality wooden benches and other outdoor furniture.
