To be honest, you usually don’t need to go out of your way to propagate Lily of the Valley. If they’re happy where they are, these little beauties tend to spread on their own and fill out a garden bed pretty quickly! But, if you’re looking to move some to a new corner of your yard or share them with a friend, here is how you can get the job done.
More Than Just Seeds
While a lot of flowers rely strictly on the seeds found in their blooms (or the fruit that follows), Lily of the Valley actually has a two-pronged strategy. By August, those iconic bell-shaped flowers turn into bright red berries packed with seeds. However, the plant also spreads underground through its root system. This “creeping” root system is exactly what we use for easy propagation.
Dividing the Rhizomes
The most effective way to get new plants is by dividing the rhizomes (the horizontal underground stems). It’s super simple—just follow these steps:
- Dig up the rhizome clump.
- Shake off any excess dirt so you can see what you’re working with.
- Use a clean knife or a sharp spade to cut it into several sections.
- Plant the individual pieces into prepared holes in the ground or into pots.
The best time to do this is in the fall. This gives the new sections plenty of time to settle in and establish their roots before they need to sprout the following spring.
Growing from Seed Takes Patience
If you aren’t in a hurry, you can also try growing Lily of the Valley from seed. Just a heads-up: this is a slow game! It can take years for the bulb to develop enough energy to actually send up a shoot, so don’t expect a bloom season anytime soon. If you’re okay with the wait, the process itself is easy because they are “light germinators.” This means you can just take the seeds out of the berries and scatter them right on top of the soil at your chosen planting site—no need to bury them!
