Plant Encyclopedia: Lily of the Valley

January 18, 2018 by Kasi Smith Leave a Comment

Plant Care Basics

Contents

1 Grow Zone Recommendation: Lily of the valley grows in USDA agricultural zones 3 to 9 as a perennial.

2 Sunlight Needs: Somewhat versatile, lily of the valley will grow well in partial sun or shade.

3 Watering Needs: As far as watering goes, lily of the valley is a moisture-loving plant. Keep the soil evenly moist. However, it will usually adapt pretty well to drier soil as long as it’s in the shade. With more moisture, it can also adapt to grow in more sunlight.

4 Average Size: Lily of the valley grows 4 to 8 inches tall and about 3 to 5 inches in width.

5 Foliage Color: The foliage color is a lush, medium-bright green. The flowers are small, white, bell-shaped and nodding.

6 Must Know Plant Care Tips: When planting lily of the valley, do so in late fall. Th colder winter months are needed to give the plant an ample dormant period before springtime. When propagating, the underground rhizomes or “pips” can be divided any time after flowering is finished, such as in November or December.

7 Plant Problem Solver: Lily of the valley is poisonous, so don’t plant it where it will be accessible to pets and small children. It makes a good ground cover in shady conditions, but beware that it will spread. If you want to keep it from spreading, it will do well in outdoor containers. It is also deer resistant, great for slope planting, and has a lovely fragrance.

8 Pretty Pairings: Good companion plants for lily of the valley include leadwort, with it’s brilliant red-orange fall foliage. You can also try hosta and perennial geraniums.

Grow Zone Recommendation: Lily of the valley grows in USDA agricultural zones 3 to 9 as a perennial.

Sunlight Needs: Somewhat versatile, lily of the valley will grow well in partial sun or shade.

Watering Needs: As far as watering goes, lily of the valley is a moisture-loving plant. Keep the soil evenly moist. However, it will usually adapt pretty well to drier soil as long as it’s in the shade. With more moisture, it can also adapt to grow in more sunlight.

Average Size: Lily of the valley grows 4 to 8 inches tall and about 3 to 5 inches in width.

Foliage Color: The foliage color is a lush, medium-bright green. The flowers are small, white, bell-shaped and nodding.

Must Know Plant Care Tips: When planting lily of the valley, do so in late fall. Th colder winter months are needed to give the plant an ample dormant period before springtime. When propagating, the underground rhizomes or “pips” can be divided any time after flowering is finished, such as in November or December.

Plant Problem Solver: Lily of the valley is poisonous, so don’t plant it where it will be accessible to pets and small children. It makes a good ground cover in shady conditions, but beware that it will spread. If you want to keep it from spreading, it will do well in outdoor containers. It is also deer resistant, great for slope planting, and has a lovely fragrance.

Pretty Pairings: Good companion plants for lily of the valley include leadwort, with it’s brilliant red-orange fall foliage. You can also try hosta and perennial geraniums.

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