How to grow Lily Of The Valley

Convallaria majalis

Likes moist soil, but will tolerate drought in shade
Z9 – Central Pacific Coast, USA

  • can handle dense shade and will spread as ground cover
  • plant in Jan/Feb → blooms ~Apr/May.

After a few years Lily of the valley flowers will become sparse and that is the time to divide the plants either in spring or fall. Dig up main clumps, separate, and replant.1

Growing Lily of the valley from seed

Best grown from root cuttings or ‘pips’. Place root in hole so top sits 1" below surface, cover with soil, water thoroughly
Z9 – Plant after last frost
Slow from seed

Aim to sow 0.94 inches (2.4 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 7.8 inches (20.0 cm).

Transplanting Lily of the valley

Lilly of the valley is traditionally a plant that is given away by gardeners as the easiest way to grow it is by planting pips. These are the freshly dig rhizomes.

Plant bulbs 8-12" apart in full to partial shade

Dig a 1-2in. layer of compost or well-rotted manure to a depth of 6 in., as soon as the garden soil can be worked in spring. Wait a week and then dig out the soil in the bed 1 in. deep and pile it neatly on a plastic sheet placed to the side of the bed. Plant pips horizontally covering with soil and water well. Keep lightly moist throughout the season. Mulch with compost or rotted leaves once foliage emerges. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer.1

Choose a position in a woodland garden, under deciduous shrubs or a hedge, or in shade cast by buildings. Lilly of the Valley prefers shade and even miosture

Lily of the valley is hardy, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.

Harvesting Lily of the valley

Used as a valued cut flower. Fragrant and elegant, used in buttonholes and brides bouquets.

Seed Saving Lily of the valley

The fruit are small red pea sized berries that contain two to six seeds. Lily of the valley is however, slow from seed and best grown from a piece of the root or rhizome.

How long does Lily of the valley take to grow?

These estimates for how long Lily of the valley takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Lily of the valley to germinate?
58 days

Average 58 days | Min 58 days | Max 58 days (4)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Lily of the valley?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Lily of the valley is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 300 days

Average 300 days | Min 9 days | Max 1098 days (4)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Lily of the valley?
= days

Lily of the valley Folklore & Trivia

This plant is poisonous, but has been used in herbal medicine for its cardioactive properties that are similar to digitalis. but much less cumulative. 2 It is better appreciated for its fragrance.
Leaves easily visually confused with wild garlic that grows in similar shaded woody places. A sniff of the crushed wild garlic leaves should confirm its identity

Other names for Lily of the valley

European lily of the valley, May Bells, Our Lady's Tears

Convallaria majalis L.

Misspellings: Lilly of the valley

Footnotes

1 “Gardening Made Easy, Pk 02”

2 Plants For A Future


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