Lily of the valley is a bit of a double-edged sword in the gardening world. On one hand, it produces those iconic, gorgeous white bells and is incredibly low-maintenance. On the other hand, it’s important to remember that this beauty is actually quite toxic.
Finding the Perfect Spot
In the wild, you’ll mostly find lily of the valley tucked away in deciduous forests—especially under beech trees. Because of its woodland roots, this plant loves its shade. If you put it in a spot with too much direct sun, it’ll likely wilt pretty fast. As for the soil, it prefers a well-draining mix that’s rich in nutrients. I’d recommend mixing in some mature compost before you start planting to give the soil a nice boost.
How to Get Started
You can plant lily of the valley in either the spring or the fall. If you want to get a head start on the blooming season, try starting them in pots indoors around March. You can then move them out to the garden in May. When you’re ready to plant, here’s the game plan:
- Dig your planting holes about 4 inches (10 cm) deep.
- When placing the rhizomes, make sure the “eyes” (the little buds) are pointing upward.
- Space the plants about 8 inches (20 cm) apart.
If you’re looking to use them as a lush groundcover, you can tighten that spacing to about 4 inches apart.
Use a Root Barrier
One pro tip: save yourself some future headaches and install a root barrier. Lily of the valley spreads not just by seed, but also through its vigorous root system. Once they’ve claimed a territory, they can be really tough to remove. For the same reason, it’s a good idea to deadhead the flowers as soon as they fade so they don’t turn into those little red berries.
A Note on Kids and Pets
Speaking of those berries—it’s vital to know that every single part of this plant is toxic. Just touching it can cause skin or eye irritation for some people. If ingested, it usually leads to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have curious toddlers or pets running around, lily of the valley might not be the best choice for your landscape.
