Lily of the Valley plant profile
Convallaria majalis
A perennial flower for shade.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley is a rhizomatous shade groundcover set out as pips (rhizome divisions). NC State says to plant the rhizome with its base about 3 inches deep and to propagate by division in fall, so set out plants in fall or spring when the soil is workable for late-spring to early-summer flowers.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Lily of the Valley in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Shade
- Planting depth
- 3 in
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a to 7bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: leaf spot, aggressive spread.
Next steps
Continue with Lily of the Valley
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.