Lily-of-the-Valley or Muget
Convallaria majalis (LILIACEAE)
Planting and Growing Lily-of-the-Valley
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow lily-of-the-valley or muget in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of lily-of-the-valley or muget
- Season of bloom and planting time for lily-of-the-valley or muget
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for lily-of-the-valley or muget
- When, how deep, and where to plant lily-of-the-valley or muget
- How to plant lily-of-the-valley or muget
- Watering, fertilizing, care and pests or diseases of lily-of-the-valley or muget
- Landscape and indoor uses of lily-of-the-valley or muget
- Comments about lily-of-the-valley or muget and its features
Growing Lily-of-the-Valley
Spring rhizome. Deciduous. Stands to 8 in. (20 cm) tall. Broad, midlength, light to deep green leaves, sometimes variegated.
Lily-of-the-Valley Planting and Care Guide
Flowers
Spring. Pink, white. Multiple nodding, bell-shaped, fragrant flowers, 1/4–1/2‑in. (6–12‑mm) wide, in clusters of up to 20 per stem, form red, berrylike fruit in autumn.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 2–9; ground hardy, zones 2–7.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 5.5–6.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Autumn or early spring in partial to full shade. Space 1–2 ft. (30–60 cm) apart, 1‑1/2–3 in. (38–75‑mm) deep.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep moist year-round. Mulch. Propagate by division, pips; start pips 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) apart, transplant to garden in autumn.
Lifting and Storing
Dark, 40–50°F (4–10°C), in porous container of dampened peat moss.
About This Species
Good choice for containers, ground covers in cottage, woodland gardens. Good for cutting. Naturalizes. Deer, rodent resistant. Mealybug susceptible.
Warning:
All parts of Convallaria majalis contain glycosides and saponin and can be fatally hazardous if ingested. Avoid planting in areas frequented by pets or children.