Lily of the valley is a fragrant plant that blooms in spring or early summer. Unfortunately, once you plant it, it’s very hard to get rid of lily of the valley. This plant is very adaptable and spreads quickly, which is why it isnt recommended for most yards. The spreading ground cover fills woodland areas, behaving like a weed. Think twice before you plant lily of the valley. It could escape the captivity of your backyard and crowd out more beneficial native plants. Consider growing a different ground cover instead. See the top 10 beautiful lily flowers to love.
Lily of the valley is a popular garden plant loved for its deliciously sweet fragrance and nods of white, bell-shaped blooms in springtime. However, this spreading groundcover can quickly become a nightmare if left uncontrolled in your yard or garden beds.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get rid of lily of the valley for good.
What Makes Lily of the Valley Such a Problem Plant?
So what is it exactly about lily of the valley that makes it so problematic in landscapes? There are a few key factors:
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Aggressive spreading rhizomes – The underground stems spread rapidly, allowing the plant to pop up and take over new areas. Even small rhizome fragments left behind can generate new plants.
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Prolific seeds – Each flower stalk produces several red berries, which birds then spread via droppings into new locations enabling seed propagation.
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Difficult eradication – The combined rhizome and seed propagation make lily of the valley extremely stubborn to get rid of once established It just keeps bouncing back!
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Invasive tendencies – Lily of the valley’s spreading nature allows it to invade and choke out more desirable plants Several states even prohibit the sale and planting of this thug
Clearly, this is one groundcover that requires close management. Letting it run amok in your landscape is asking for trouble down the road.
Organic Ways to Get Rid of Lily of the Valley
Before resorting to chemical herbicides, try some of these organic approaches first:
Manual Removal
Repeated digging and removal of the entire plant and root system can work over time. Here are some tips:
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Dig down 8-12 inches with a shovel or fork to remove rhizomes
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Search carefully for every tiny root piece and remove them all.
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Discard the plants in trash bags, not your compost pile.
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Persist with additional digs as new sprouts emerge.
Smothering
Cut back plants to soil level in early spring, then cover the area thoroughly with:
- Landscape fabric
- Cardboard
- Wooden boards
- Thick layers of wet newspaper topped with mulch
Leave the barriers in place for at least one full growing season.
Solarizing
Solarization uses the sun’s heat to kill plants and seeds.
- Mow/remove existing growth in spring
- Water the area well
- Cover with clear plastic sheeting for 6-8 weeks in summer
- Remove the plastic in fall then replant
Vinegar
Straight 20% horticultural vinegar applied directly to leaves and stems can provide control. However, it will not kill the roots so persistence is needed. Avoid harming nearby plants by isolating application only to the lily of the valley.
Chemical Herbicides to Destroy Lily of the Valley
If organic methods fail to eradicate lily of the valley, carefully targeted use of chemical herbicides may be warranted.
Glyphosate (Roundup) and Triclopyr products can provide control when applied correctly:
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Use extreme caution to only apply onto lily of the valley and avoid contact with desired plants.
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Apply glyphosate anytime plants are actively growing.
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For triclopyr, apply in fall when the plant is translocating resources to its roots.
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Be prepared for repeat applications over multiple seasons to fully kill the root systems.
Always read and follow label directions carefully and take proper safety precautions when using herbicides.
Prevention is Key!
Removing existing lily of the valley plants is only half the battle. You’ll need to take proactive steps to prevent it from recurring:
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Monitor areas closely and promptly dig or spot treat any new sprouts.
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Use landscape fabric under mulch as a physical barrier to block emerging rhizomes and seeds.
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Periodically solarize the soil to destroy remaining seeds/roots.
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Crowd out any new growth by planting competitive groundcovers and perennials.
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Never add lily of the valley plants or seeds to your compost pile.
What to Plant Instead for Safe Groundcover
Once you’ve succeeded in removing lily of the valley from your yard, you’ll need to plant some alternative groundcovers. Here are some good options:
- Sweet woodruff
- Creeping phlox
- Epimediums
- Ajuga
- Vinca minor
- Lysimachia nummularia
- Mondarda didyma
The key is selecting plants that are easier to manage and non-invasive. This will prevent a repeat of the lily of the valley nightmare!
Getting rid of lily of the valley is challenging but absolutely possible with a multifaceted approach and persistence over time. The key is attacking both existing plants as well as preventing any recurrence. Combining manual removal, smothering, solarization, targeted herbicides, and prevention steps can help you reclaim your landscape for good. Just stay vigilant to keep this invasive groundcover from returning!
What Does Lily of the Valley Look Like?
All About Lily of the Valley
- Common names: Lily of the valley, May bells, Our Lady’s tears and Mary’s Tears
- Botanical name: Convallaria majalis
- Zones: 3 to 8
- Light: Part to full shade
Learn how to grow and care for a
How To Remove Lily Of The Valley (They’re a Menace!)
FAQ
Is lily of the valley hard to get rid of?
They tend to spread and take over whatever is near. I note there is a considerable root system and just pulling them up is not working. A. The best way to get rid of lily of the valley is to kill the entire plant, roots, runners and leaves and this can be done with what is known as a non-selective herbicide.
How long does lily of the valley take to kill?
Symptoms of the lily of the valley poisoning usually last from 1 to 3 days. You may need to stay in the hospital during this time. With proper medical care, death is unlikely. If your pet has eaten lily of the valley, take them to the vet right away.
How deep are the lily of the valley roots?
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Rhizomes, not typical roots:Lily of the valley spreads via underground rhizomes, which are modified stems that grow horizontally and send out roots and shoots.
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Planting Depth:When planting, you should dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the length of the rhizome, with the crown (where the roots meet the stem) about 1/2 inch below the soil surface.
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Soil Preparation:Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches (30 cm) to allow for root growth and good drainage.
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Spacing:Plant the rhizomes about 6 inches (15 cm) apart.
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Propagating:Lily of the valley can be easily propagated by dividing the rhizomes in the fall or spring.
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Naturalization:Lily of the valley can naturalize and spread rapidly, so it’s important to choose a location where it can spread without becoming invasive.