How to Grow Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis ) are shade-loving plants that also do well indoors. Lily of the valley can be grown from seed or from dividing rhizomes of established plants. Seed-germination can take up to one year, so growing them from rhizomes is faster and easier. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Lily of the valley rhizomes
- Potting soil
- Fertilizer
- Flower pot
- Prepared flower bed
Instructions
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Soak your pips (rhizomes) in lukewarm water before planting. You can add water to the plastic bags that the rhizomes came in. The peat in the bag needs to be saturated, so let the pips stand for several hours until the rhizomes swell and become hard.
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To grow indoors, make sure the flower pots you are using have multiple drainage holes. Lily of the valley plants require a lot of water but will not grow in waterlogged soil. Place the flower pots in a warm area out of direct sunlight. To grow outdoors, prepare a flower bed in a shady, well-drained location. Amend the soil with peat moss, compost or ground bark to ensure proper drainage.
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Cut off one inch of the roots to encourage water intake and spur the growing process. The plant tops should be barely above the soil. Water thoroughly, making sure to soak the soil. Keep the soil very moist and the pots in a warm area. In approximately one week top growth should start to form.
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Cut flowers for fresh bouquets. Leave foliage (leaves) in place when blooms are spent. After one year, you can divide the rhizomes to create additional plants.
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Tips & Warnings
Fertilize each spring, and avoid splashing fertilizer on to the leaves. In outdoor gardens, top cover plants with leaf mould (humus).
