Lily of the valley: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Convallaria majalis
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis, family Asparagaceae) usually lasts 4–7 days in a vase. In season: Spring. Fragrance: strong. Typical role in a design: filler flower.
- Botanical name
- Convallaria majalis
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Accepted name
- Convallaria majalis L.
- Role in a design
- Filler flower
- Vase life
- 4–7 days
- In season
- Spring
- Fragrance
- Strong
- Colours
- white
- Meaning
- The return of happiness
- Type
- Cut flower
- Pets
- Highly toxic to cats — even pollen or vase water can be dangerous
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Lily of the valley
- Botanical name
- Convallaria majalis
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Aliases
- lilyofthevalley
- Native origin
- Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide
- Growth habit
- Herbaceous perennial or biennial with sturdy, upright flowering stems.
- Stem length
- 50–70 cm
- Natural colours
- White
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in spring
- Commercial supply
- Peak in spring
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 4–7 days
- Cold storage
- Sensitive to cold: keep above 12°C to prevent chilling injury and blackening.
- Special care
- Often sold with roots attached: keep them moist and it lasts longer. Delicate and expensive, mostly used in bridal work. Every part is poisonous, vase water included — wash your hands.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Filler flower in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Often sold with roots attached: keep them moist and it lasts longer. Delicate and expensive, mostly used in bridal work. Every part is poisonous, vase water included — wash your hands.
For florists
Try Lily of the valley in a client design
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Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Often sold with roots attached: keep them moist and it lasts longer. Delicate and expensive, mostly used in bridal work. Every part is poisonous, vase water included — wash your hands.
- Lily of the valley is highly toxic to cats: never send or place it in a home with cats — pollen and vase water are dangerous too.
- Lily of the valley is short-lived (about 4–7 days): when mixed with longer-lasting stems, deliver the same or next day.
- Lily of the valley is strongly scented and is a poor fit for hospital visits or condolences.
Where it fits
| Use | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✕ | Strongly scented — it can bother patients and roommates. |
| Weddings | ! | Lasts only about 4–7 days — make up the day before or on the day. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✕ | Strong fragrance competes with food and wine. |
| Homes with cats | ✕ | Highly toxic to cats — pollen and vase water too. Choose something else. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ! | Short-lived (about 4–7 days) — deliver the same or next day. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as lily of the valley and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip | Focal flower | 4–7 days |
| Iris | Focal flower | 4–6 days |
| Rose | Focal flower | 5–7 days |
| Sweet flag (acorus) | Foliage | 7–14 days |
| Eucalyptus | Foliage | 10–14 days |
| Monstera leaf | Foliage | 10–14 days |
Substitutes
When lily of the valley is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamomile | 5–7 days | Spring, Summer | Light | — |
| Sweet pea | 4–7 days | Spring | Strong | mildly toxic |
| Grape hyacinth (Muscari) | 4–7 days | Spring | Light | — |
| Freesia | 5–8 days | Winter, Spring | Strong | — |
FAQ
How long does lily of the valley last in a vase?
Usually 4–7 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is lily of the valley in season?
In season in spring; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary.
How do you keep lily of the valley fresh?
Often sold with roots attached: keep them moist and it lasts longer. Delicate and expensive, mostly used in bridal work. Every part is poisonous, vase water included — wash your hands.
What does lily of the valley symbolise?
The return of happiness. Flower meanings are popular conventions and vary between cultures.
Is lily of the valley toxic to cats or dogs?
Highly toxic to cats — even pollen or vase water can be dangerous.
What can I use instead of lily of the valley?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Chamomile, Sweet pea, Grape hyacinth (Muscari), Freesia.
Related guides
In season at the same time
TulipChamomileTree peonyPeony (herbaceous)Silver wattle (mimosa)Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)BupleurumCanterbury bells