Lily of the vale , Convallaria majalis , is an herbaceous flowering perennial in the asparagus kinfolk .

It raise from a rhizome and prosper in USDA Hardiness zone 2 to 9 . Native to Europe and Asia , its goody bell - influence pinkish or white blossoms are a fragrant delight in the fountain garden .

C. majalisis a vigorous grower that unfold via runner roots and self - sowing . It hasinvasive tendenciesand often pass over garden borders as it readily domesticate in part to fully shaded location .

A close up horizontal image of well-spaced lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) plants in full bloom.

Photo by Salicyna, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA.

Ourguide to growing lily of the valleyhas all you need to know about refinement .

In this article , we talk about dividing plants to keep up with their aggressive growth .

Here ’s what we ’ll cover :

Lily of the valley plants in flower under dappled sunlight.

Photo by Salicyna, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA.

What You’ll Learn

Why Divide Lily of the Valley ?

Act While They Are log Z’s

How It ’s Done

A close up vertical image of the delicate white flowers of lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) growing in light sunshine. To the top and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

allow ’s get started !

With a tight - growing perennial that voraciously consumes garden real estate , the need to split up periodically , a cognitive process also known as splitting , is to be expect .

Many common people take on this task every three to five years , but this is not a hard and fast rule . When lily of the valley begins to hop the garden border and cruise into the lawn , you ’ll desire to take action mechanism .

A vertical image of a large stand of lily of the valley growing in a shady, woodland location.

In addition to removing plants that run boundaries , overcrowded patchestend to flower poorly . thin them out is rejuvenating and supports healthy newfangled roots , leafage , and flowers .

permit ’s talk about the best time for splitting plants .

Lily of the valley foliage remains green from spring to flow , creatinga lush ground coverin the shady portion of the landscape painting .

A close up vertical image of lily of the valley plants in fall, with bright red fruits and brown foliage, pictured in light evening sunshine.

As the grow time of year draws to a finis , the greenish leafage shades to brown , and red fruits form , shrivel , and scatter germ .

These changes mark the beginning of quiescence , the menstruation from fall to leap when a works stops growing and rests . divide during dormancy causes the least gap to the floral life cycle .

To split up and transplant in the fall , it ’s necessary to dig rhizomes up at least four week before the average first frost date for your region to give them a chance to become established before the ground freezes .

A close up horizontal image of white lily of the valley flowers pictured on a soft focus background.

or else , you’re able to excavate them in belated wintertime to other springiness , after the average last Robert Lee Frost day of the month for your rise zona has passed , to facilitate a suave , frost - free transition . Be sure to mark their location or they may be hard to find !

Now let ’s find out how to divide .

In the fall , when you’re able to still see shrink leaves and/or fruit - aim racemes , get out your long - handle garden crotch and a pair of baseball glove . All parts ofC. majalisare toxic , so forfend manage it with scanty bridge player .

A close up horizontal image of freshly dug lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) pips (rhizomes) with soil still attached set on a white surface with a garden trowel to the right of the frame.

Insert the garden forking a few inches off from a patch of rhizomes .

For very obtuse plantings , there may be some injury to the rhizomes when you dig . However , as we will discuss shortly , even break ones may still be executable .

bear on your foot down on the fork and work your manner around the patch , softly loosening and lifting as you go .

Lily of the valley plants in flower under dappled sunlight.

Once you could release a mound , lift it from the footing .

Now you have two option . One is to relocate the entire mound .

Here ’s how :

Here is the second method :

Any rhizome with one or more “ pips ” can thrive . blip are mature points that sprout shoot . They count like bumpy potato eyes . If you have a rhizome that does not have at least one pip , or that is discolour or mushy , discard it .

pip may be easier to recognize in early spring when they are just start out to produce shoot . Do n’t concern if you ca n’t severalise them . Just keep each rhizome as intact as possible .

As note , it ’s best to carve up during dormancy . If you have no choice but to move plants after they ’ve violate dormancy and sprouted , roll in the hay that they may not bloom until the following year .

Love Your Lilies

Many gardeners enjoy including lily of the valley in their spring lineup . The blossom are lovely , the extensive stem provide fantabulous soil wearing command , and the ground - handle foliage remains greenish from spring into fall .

When you comprise dividing into your garden regime , you could harness in this dynamic perennial to keep it from spreading out of dominance , and also love a few added benefits .

thin out rejuvenate flora , lead in better blooming and improved airflow that inhibits fungous development .

Are you ready to give your plants the love life they need ?

If you found this guide informative and want to read about dividing otherflowers , we recommend the following :

© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . in the first place bring out March 25th , 2022 . Last updated May 3rd , 2025 . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock .

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Nan Schiller