Meaning, toxicity, care & tradition
Delicate, fragrant, and deadly poisonous — lily of the valley is Europe’s most contradictory flower.
The lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a flower full of contrasts. It looks like innocence itself — tiny white bells on a delicate stem, with a fragrance considered one of the most beautiful in the plant world. And at the same time, it is one of Europe’s most poisonous plants. All parts contain cardiac glycosides that can be fatal in higher doses.
In Austria, lily of the valley grows wild in deciduous forests, especially in the floodplain forests along the Danube and in the woods of the Vienna Woods. In May, its fragrance is so intense there that you can smell it from far away.
At a glance: lily of the valley
Botanical name: Convallaria majalis
Origin: Europe, northern Asia (native to Austria)
Height: 15 – 25 cm
Hardy: yes, completely
Flowering period: May – June
Fragrance: intense, sweet, legendary
Toxicity: highly poisonous (all parts)
Difficulty: very easy (almost too easy)
Meaning of lily of the valley
The meaning of lily of the valley is happiness, purity, and the return of good fortune. In France, 1 May is the “Fête du Muguet” — people give small bouquets of lily of the valley as lucky charms. This tradition dates back to 1561, when King Charles IX was given lily of the valley as a token of good luck and decided to present it to the ladies of the court every year on 1 May from then on.
In Christian symbolism, lily of the valley stands for the purity of the Virgin Mary — it is also known as “Mary’s tears.” According to legend, it sprang from Mary’s tears at the foot of the cross.
In wedding floristry, lily of the valley is a classic choice for the bridal bouquet — Kate Middleton carried it at her wedding to Prince William. However, it is expensive and only available for a short time, which makes it a true luxury flower.
Lily of the valley — how poisonous is it really?
Highly poisonous. That needs to be said clearly. Lily of the valley contains more than 30 different cardiac glycosides (convallatoxin, convallamarin, and others) that can disrupt the heart rhythm. Even the water in which lily of the valley has been standing is poisonous.
Warning: All parts of lily of the valley are poisonous — flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and especially the red berries in autumn. Keep it absolutely out of reach of children and pets. Wash your hands after touching it. Do not drink the vase water and do not use it for watering flowers.
Risk of confusion with wild garlic
Every spring, there are poisoning cases in Austria because lily of the valley is mistaken for wild garlic. The leaves really do look similar — both are broad, green, and grow in the woods. The most important difference:
- Wild garlic smells strongly of garlic when rubbed. Lily of the valley does not.
- Wild garlic has one stem per leaf. Lily of the valley has two to three leaves growing from a shared sheath.
- Wild garlic leaves are matte on the underside. Lily of the valley leaves are glossy on both sides.
When in doubt: don’t pick it. It’s better to buy wild garlic at the market, where it has been safely identified.
Lily of the valley in the garden
In the garden, lily of the valley is a ground cover for shady spots beneath trees and shrubs. It spreads through underground rhizomes — with a determination that should not be underestimated. Once planted, it is very hard to remove. That can be an advantage (low-maintenance ground cover) or a problem (it crowds out other plants).
Plant in autumn or spring. Partial shade to shade, humus-rich soil, moderately moist. After that: do nothing. Lily of the valley takes care of everything on its own.
Note: If you have lily of the valley in the garden and small children or pets, remove the red berries in autumn — they look tempting and are especially poisonous.
Lily of the Valley Fragrance
The scent of lily of the valley is one of the most coveted in perfumery. Dior's “Diorissimo” (1956) is the most famous lily of the valley fragrance — Christian Dior himself called lily of the valley his favourite flower. However, no essential oil can be extracted from lily of the valley — the scent has to be recreated synthetically, which makes it one of the most expensive and complex raw materials in perfumery.
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Seasonal bouquets and houseplants — hand-tied, delivery in Vienna.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lily of the Valley
In Austria, lily of the valley is protected in some federal states. Picking small quantities for personal use is generally allowed, but digging up the roots is not. If in doubt, check the local nature conservation regulations.
Yes, forced lily of the valley in pots is available to buy in spring. It blooms for one to two weeks. Afterwards, you can plant it in the garden, where it will establish itself permanently.
Call the poison information centre immediately (in Austria: 01 406 43 43, available 24 hours a day). Do not induce vomiting. Keep parts of the plant so they can be identified. If cardiac arrhythmia occurs, call emergency services immediately (144).
Fresh Flowers at MoBlumen Vienna
Hand-tied bouquets and houseplants — delivery in Vienna.
