Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

lily of the valley plant

The lily of the valley plant (Convallaria majalis) is cherished in New Zealand gardens for its exquisite, bell-shaped white flowers and enchanting fragrance. This perennial creates a stunning carpet of blooms in shaded areas from late spring to early summer, making it a classic choice for adding beauty and elegance beneath trees, along shaded borders, or in woodland gardens. With its lush green foliage and delicate, nodding blooms, the lily of the valley plant is an easy favourite for both seasoned gardeners and beginners looking to introduce a timeless, low-maintenance plant to their landscape.

Convallaria majalis

Convallaria majalis, commonly known as the Lily of the Valley, features small and sweetly fragrant blooms that are borne as clusters in spring. They are complemented with broad and lush, dark green leaves which provides for a wonderful colour contrast as it grows to 20 cm tall and the same wide. Convallaria majalis is commonly added to mixed plantings, planted around the base of trees, grown in a container, used in cottage gardens, planted alongside a water feature, or mass planted for a stunning display.

Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) plant with white flowers and lush, green foliage.
  • Suited to regions:
    Subtropical, Temperate
  • Plant type:
    Perennials
  • Height:
    20 cm
  • Spread:
    20 cm
  • Flowering time:
    Spring
  • Tolerances:
    Wet
  • Garden uses:
    Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
  • Garden styles:
    Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
Convallaria majalis 'Rosea' plants with elegant, pink flowers.
Most Popular

Convallaria majalis Rosea

Convallaria majalis 'Rosea' is a variety of the commonly known Lily of the Valley, and is an herbaceous perennial grown for its pretty, pink flowers...

Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Most Popular

Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$26.93
An elegant Alstroemeria 'White Buttons' plant with white flowers in a pot.
Most Popular

Alstroemeria White Buttons (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemeria 'White Buttons' is a compact, clump-forming perennial prized for its masses of white flowers with yellow and green markings. Blooming...

From$41.78
Geranium Kashmir White plant in a garden with masses of white flowers.
Most Popular

Geranium Kashmir White

Geranium Kashmir White is an herbaceous perennial grown for its foliage and delicate flowers. Small, white flowers with pink veins and borne across...

From$21.53
Zephyranthes candida plants covered in white flowers.
Most Popular

Zephyranthes candida

Zephyranthes candida (Rain Lily) is a charming bulbous perennial valued for its crisp white star shaped flowers that appear after rainfall. Well...

From$14.18
helleborus-dark-hybrid-1
Most Popular

Helleborus 'Dark Hybrid'

Helleborus 'Dark Hybrid' is a stunning winter flowering perennial valued for its deep coloured blooms and attractive evergreen foliage. The nodding...

From$18.23
Convallaria majalis

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Convallaria or Perennials.

Search Convallaria majalis

Lily of the Valley Plant: Features and Growing Tips

Convallaria majalis thrives in part to full shade and prefers well-drained, moist soils enriched with organic matter. Known for its resilience, the lily of the valley plant is a perfect solution for challenging garden spaces that receive little sunlight. Once established, it can form dense colonies, providing excellent ground cover and suppressing weeds. The plant’s exquisite scent is a highlight in spring, often filling the air around pathways or garden nooks.

Care is minimal—simply ensure soil doesn’t dry out during extended dry periods. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally, supplying energy for next year’s blooms. Lily of the valley is also a charming addition to shaded pots and containers, especially when combined with other shade-loving perennials.

Landscape Uses for Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley’s versatility lets you enjoy it in both formal and naturalistic settings. Line shaded garden paths with these enchanting plants, or allow them to naturalise beneath deciduous trees where other plants may struggle. Lily of the valley is also prized in cottage gardens for its nostalgic appeal and ability to thrive where other blooms might falter.

For extra colour in low-light gardens, consider pairing lily of the valley with trusted companions like Hosta Krossa Regal or the delicate, blue-tinted blooms of Campanula EH Frost. For a soft pink twist on tradition, the Convallaria majalis Rosea offers uniquely coloured blooms and the same easy-care habits.

Companion Plants for Shaded Appeal

Designing a shaded border? The lily of the valley plant combines beautifully with other reliable perennials. Pair with the bold foliage of Hosta Krossa Regal, the cloud-like clusters of Anisotome lyallii (Lyalls Carrot), or intersperse with striking blooms from Agapanthus Donau for a dynamic display. For colour in sunnier spots nearby, the radiant Arctotis 'Fireglow' (African Daisy) offers an eye-catching contrast to the tranquil clusters of lily of the valley.

Bring a touch of woodland magic and lasting fragrance to your garden with the lily of the valley plant—an enduring favourite for shaded, difficult spaces. Explore our wider collection of companion perennials to create your perfect woodland haven.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Our garden favourites Aesculus Briotii and Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi) get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Werauhia sanguinolenta, Thuja plicata, and Pieris Pink Delight (Lily Of The Valley Shrub Pieris japonica).
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

429 Google reviews