Learn How To Plant, Grow and Care for Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis, Conval Lily, Word Lily, Mayflower, Mugget, Liriconfancy, May Bells, May Lily, Our Lady's Tears, Lady's Tears

A real charmer and an outstanding performer, Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a woodland flowering plant prized for its sweetly scented, bell-shaped flowers and attractive foliage. Widely grown in shade gardens for its cute blossoms and ground-covering abilities, Lily of the Valley is also a popular ingredient in perfumes and other cosmetics. Its fresh-cut flowers are a favorite of florists.

Lily of the Valley holds major significance around the world. It is said to bring happiness and luck. It is Finland’s national flower and used to be the floral emblem of Yugoslavia, and France also celebrates La Fête du Muguet (Lily of the Valley Day) on May 1.

All you need to know about Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is not a true lily. It belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
This is a low-growing rhizomatous perennial, 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm), that comes back year after year in spring.
Blooming for about 3 weeks in mid to late spring, it displays up to 15 sweetly scented, nodding, bell-shaped flowers, white or pink, that hang along slightly arching flowering stems. Small orange-red berries follow them.
Renowned for their powerful floral perfume, the blossoms rise above the handsome foliage of paired fluted green leaves.
Ideal for shady areas and heavy clay, Lily of the Valley tends to form extensive colonies by spreading underground rhizomes. Long-lived, tough and reliable, it is often used in shade gardens as a lush groundcover.
Cold hardy, this groundcover can live for decades in cool climates (hardiness zones 2-7). It does not withstand hot weather.
This woodland plant is trouble-free, requires little maintenance, and is deer and rabbit resistant.
Lily of the Valley contains cardiac glycosides, which are highly toxic if consumed by humans or animals. All parts of the plant are poisonous, including the red berries, which may be attractive to children.
Native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe, the plant has escaped cultivation and naturalized throughout much of temperate eastern and central North America plus parts of the Northwestern U.S. Where well adapted, it can become invasive.
Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Guide Information

Hardiness	2 - 7
Heat Zones	1 - 7
Climate Zones	1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type	Perennials
Genus	Convallaria
Exposure	Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest	Spring (Mid, Late)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Clay, Loam
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance	Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Landscaping Ideas	Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage

Convallaria majalis ‘Albostriata’ (Lily of the Valley)

Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)

Convallaria majalis var. rosea (Lily of the Valley)

When to plant Lily of the Valley?

The best time to plant Lily of the Valley is spring or fall.

Where to plant Lily of the Valley?

Lily of the Valley is winter hardy and can be grown in USDA Zones 2-7. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
It is easily grown in part shade to full shade in evenly moist, fertile, organically rich, well-drained soils. It will grow in full sun in northern regions if the soil remains moist. If you live in a warmer part of its growing zones, full shade is best.
Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including clay soils.
Dry conditions will tend to restrict its growth.
Long-lived and reliable, Lily of the Valley is often used in shade gardens as a lush groundcover. It looks great underplanting shrubs and roses or under trees where many other plants will not grow.
Do not plant in perennial borders, as it can quickly spread and escape its boundaries, potentially choking out nearby plants.
In addition to its garden uses it can be planted in a container and placed in a shady spot.

How to plant Lily of the Valley?

Dig over the soil to loosen it, at least twelve inches (30 cm) deep.
Plant the rhizomes about 6 inches (15 cm) apart, with the pointed bud buried about 1/2 inch below soil level.
Spread the roots out around the pointed bud.
Cover the roots with soil and water thoroughly.

Lily of the Valley as Cut Flowers

Pick in the morning after the dew has dried.
Select flowering stems with 1/4 of the buds open. Do not forget to add some leaves in the bouquet.
Cut the stems at a 90-degree angle.
Place the vase in a cool place out of direct sunlight to help the flowers last for longer.
The flowers will last up to one week.
Change the water every couple of days.

Lily of the Valley Care

Incredibly easy to grow, this plant requires little to no maintenance once it is established.
Keep the soil evenly moist.
Do not let plants dry out. Soil that is too dry will affect the plant’s growth and flowering.
After blooming, do not remove the foliage.
The plant greatly benefits from an annual application of organic compost each fall.
Fertilizer: Lily of the Valley typically does not need any fertilizer unless your soil is poor. If your soil lacks nutrients, add a slow-release granular fertilizer in the spring.
Pruning: No pruning or deadheading is needed.
Propagating: Lily of the Valley can be propagated by division in the fall or by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe (remove flesh from seed before sowing).

Pest and Diseases

This plant contains cardiac glycosides —a substance that makes it deer or rodent resistant. It is highly toxic if consumed by humans or animals.
Lily of the Valley is relatively trouble-free but keep an eye out for swift moth caterpillars, gray molds, and leaf spots.

Companion Plants for Lily of the Valley

Cyclamen hederifolium (Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen)

Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern)

Hyacinthoides non-scripta (English Bluebells)

Polygonatum multiflorum (Common Solomon’s Seal)

Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)

Hosta (Plantain Lily)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.