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Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
Lily of the Valley blooms from April through May.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Lily of the Valley
Plant it in full shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 2–7. Expect it to reach about 8 in tall and 12 in wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Lily of the Valley
Plant Lily of the Valley in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 2 to 7 range, spring means April to June and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from April to May.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 5 in April.
Good to know about Lily of the Valley
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
Every part is highly toxic to people, dogs, cats and horses. The cardiac glycosides can cause vomiting, a slow or irregular heartbeat, seizures and, in severe cases, death. per ASPCA and MedlinePlus
Worth knowing
The same poison that makes it dangerous makes it easy: the cardiac glycosides that deter deer, rabbits and insects leave it nearly pest-free, but also help it spread unchecked. per NC State and SEWISC
How much sun it takes
Sources split by climate. In the cool North with moist soil it takes full sun; in hot regions it needs part to full shade. Match your climate. per NC State and University of Illinois
Warm-end zone limit
The warm limit is a soft edge. NC State caps it at zone 7b; Illinois Extension pushes it to 8, where deep-South heat and humidity take over. per NC State and University of Illinois
Spreads hard; can be invasive
Underground rhizomes form dense colonies that choke out neighbors. It naturalizes easily and is listed invasive in Wisconsin and Arkansas; use a deep barrier to contain it. per NC State and SEWISC
Leaves mimic edible wild garlic
Before flowering, its leaves closely resemble edible wild garlic (ramsons), a documented cause of serious human poisonings. Never forage for greens where it grows. per Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine and PubMed Central
Berries tempt kids and pets
The showy orange-red fall berries are the part most likely to tempt a child or pet, and they are as toxic as the rest of the plant. per NC State and ASPCA
What pairs well with Lily of the Valley
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Rhododendron
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early summer; stands well above at 5.9 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Northern Sea Oats
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; blooms in midsummer, extending the bed's season; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; this one spreads, so it will crowd its neighbor in time.
Summersweet
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate to high water; blooms in midsummer, extending the bed's season; stands well above at 5.9 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; a soft color beside the white.
Camellia
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; blooms in midwinter, before this one opens; stands well above at 6.6 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; they only overlap in zone 7.
Goatsbeard
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it; a soft color beside the white; this one spreads, so it will crowd its neighbor in time.
Bugleweed
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; a soft color beside the white.
Lady's Mantle
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into midsummer; taller at 1.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Ostrich Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate to high water; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
All 8 companion pairings for Lily of the Valley →
Try Lily of the Valley with its top companions in a garden →
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