Convallaria Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 29th Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Convallaria plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance: Convallaria

Plant Characteristics: Convallaria, known for its fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers, offers a classic and elegant look. It's perfect for creating a visually appealing and aromatic garden experience.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil and partial to full shade. It thrives in cooler climates and is ideal for underplanting in wooded areas or shaded gardens.
General Care: Requires minimal maintenance. Keep the soil moist and mulch annually to maintain health and encourage growth.
Tips for New Gardeners: Lily of the valley is a great choice for beginners due to its hardiness and ease of care. It's important to monitor its spread as it can become invasive in favorable conditions. Additionally, be aware that this plant is toxic if ingested, so take precautions to keep it out of reach of children and pets. When handling the plant, wearing gloves is recommended to avoid skin irritation from its toxic components.

Lily of the Valley, & May Lily: Cultivation & Garden Use

Convallaria is a hardy perennial that reaches about 20 cm in height.

A common name for Convallaria is Lily of the valley. The lily of the valley flowers are small, white or pink and bell-like; they bloom at the end of spring.

They make good plants to provide ground coverage in shady areas of the garden. But be aware that these plants are toxic, so its probably not best to grow them if kids and pets have access to the garden, and be sure to wear gloves when handling them.

Lily of the valley

Convallaria majalis
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) picture by Joost J. Bakker.

Convallaria
Convallaria by Anne the librarian.

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Convallaria Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Lily Of The Valley, Our Lady’s Tears, Mary’s Tears, May Lily, Muguet.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Family: Asparagaceae.
Height: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 30 cm).
Native: Europe, Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 2 to 9.
Flowers: Late spring through to early summer
Flower Details: White, rose. Tiny. Bell-shaped, Bowl shaped. Fragrant. Sometimes double flowers.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Lance-shaped. Green. Variegated. Striped.
Sow/plant:
Rhizome: 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm). End of winter or early in the spring. Spacing 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm).
Seeds: Cover. End of winter or early in the spring. Germination time: two months to one year. Seeds should first be sown into flats, cover with layers of a compost and then gravel. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade. Once seedlings emerge transplant them to pots. Upon further growth they can be transferred to a nursery bed. Allow to grow there for a further two years, and then transfer to the garden at the start of spring or in autumn.
Requirements: Partial shade for best results; can be grown in full shade. Good drainage. Moist, fertile soil with added organic material. Regular and deep watering during dry periods. Add a top dressing of 2 inches (5 cm) leaf mold in the autumn. Feed regularly with liquid seaweed whilst growing; avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves. Plants should be divided every five years to maintain vigour.
Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas, or in the autumn in warmer areas.
Miscellaneous: Convallaria, recognized as Finland’s national flower, serves as a food source for the Grey Chi moth. It's important to note that all parts of this plant are toxic. The glycosides present in Convallaria can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, they may cause irregular heartbeats or even cardiac arrest.

How to Grow Lily of the Valley and other Convallaria species

If planning to grow Convallaria outdoors from seed then it should be sown out at the end of winter.

The seeds should be sown in flats, covered in compost, and have a layer of glass for protection.

If you are growing Lilies of the valley from rhizomes then they should be buried at a depth of 5 to 8 cm.

Germination can take from two months up to one year. Once seedlings have appeared they should be transplanted into individual pots.

Once the Convallaria plant appears to be growing strong they should be moved to a dedicated nursery bed for two years. After this time the perennial can be moved to its final location.

This should be a partially shaded part of the garden (Lily of the Valley will grow in full shade, but will not produce abundant flowers) with good drainage.

Caring for Lily of the Valley

The plants should be spaced about 12 cm apart into an organic soil that is both moist and rich.

Once established further plants can be had by division in the autumn.

Lily of the valley plants require a lot of watering and should be fertilized at the beginning of spring (do not splash fertilizer onto the leaves). In the autumn a top dressing with leaf mold will help to protect the plant.

The plant should be divided every five years to maintain vigorous growth.

Common Questions

How many members does the Convallaria genus have?

The Convallaria genus has two recognized species.

Do members of Convallaria make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Convallaria, particularly the Lily of the Valley, is valued for its fragrant bell-shaped flowers and can be a charming addition to shaded gardens.

Which Convallaria species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

The most commonly grown species is Convallaria majalis, also known as Lily of the Valley.

Are members of the Convallaria plant genus fragrant?

Yes, Convallaria plants, especially Lily of the Valley, have a sweet, distinct fragrance that is highly valued in gardens.

What is the perfect location to grow Convallaria?

Convallaria plants thrive in part to full shade with moist, well-drained soil.

Is Convallaria invasive in the USA?

Currently, Convallaria majalis is considered invasive in some parts of the northeastern USA due to its fast spread in forests and gardens.

How do I remove Convallaria plants from my garden?

Convallaria can be removed by digging up the entire plant, including the roots, and ensuring no root pieces remain as they can regrow. When removing these plants, it's important to wear gloves as all parts of the plant are toxic. This precaution prevents skin contact with the plant's harmful compounds and also helps to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. This is especially important if you have pets or children. Proper disposal of the plant material is also crucial to prevent any accidental exposure.

Summary

The Convallaria genus, part of the Asparagaceae family, is native to Europe, North Asia, and North America. The most known species, Convallaria majalis, also known as lily of the valley, is a perennial plant recognized for its broad, glossy leaves and nodding, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom in spring, which are often highly fragrant.

To grow Convallaria, plant them in a shaded location with moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown from rhizomes planted in autumn or spring. Regular watering is necessary. Due to their creeping habit and tolerance of shade, they are often used as ground cover, in woodland gardens, or as cut flowers for their attractive, fragrant blooms.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Convallaria plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Grassnut and Muscari plants.

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