← Back to FlowersLily of the Valley
🌸 Flower

ANX-FLOWER-0000029

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), a rhizomatous perennial of the Asparagaceae family, spreads into dense shade colonies and produces arching stems of small, sweetly fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers.

Log in to request a quotation
Family
Asparagaceae
Plant type
Rhizomatous perennial
Bloom color
White
Bloom season
Spring (April)
Mature height
15-30 cm cm
Sun requirements
Part shade to full shade
Fragrance
Strong, sweet fragrance
Native region
Temperate Europe, Western Asia and Northern Asia

Growing

Growing Conditions

Water requirements
Medium moisture; tolerates some dryness once established.
Climate requirements
Prefers cool climates; performs best in shade-dappled sites and may decline in hot, humid summers.
Soil types
Moist, fertile, organically rich, well-drained soil; also tolerates dry and clay soils.
Propagation method
Rhizome/root division, seed

Ecology

Pollinators & Toxicity

Pollinator value
Flowers are pollinated by bees, though single-clone colonies are self-incompatible and often fail to set seed.
Toxicity
Highly toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses - all parts (especially berries and roots) contain roughly 38 cardiac glycosides, causing vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmia, and in severe cases seizures.

Use

Uses & Economic Importance

Uses
Cut flowers, ground cover for shade, traditional May Day (France) bouquets, wedding bouquets
Economic importance
Cultivated commercially for cut flowers in France, Poland and the Netherlands, historically tied to France's lucrative May 1st muguet flower trade.

Trade

Marketplace

Not currently listed on the Marketplace. List it →