Troubleshooting
Lily of the valley problems — and how to fix them
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Aggressive spread
Rhizomes run; install a rhizome barrier or grow in containers.
Yellow foliage in summer
Normal dormancy if dry; water more or accept the dieback.
Sparse flowers
Overcrowded — divide every 3-4 years.
Slugs eat new shoots
Ring with grit early in spring.
Difficult to remove
Persistent rhizome fragments resprout; dig deeply or smother.
Prevent lily of the valley problems before they start
Most lily of the valley issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Lily of the valley problems — FAQ
Why is my lily of the valley aggressive spread?
Rhizomes run; install a rhizome barrier or grow in containers.
Why is my lily of the valley yellow foliage in summer?
Normal dormancy if dry; water more or accept the dieback.
Why is my lily of the valley sparse flowers?
Overcrowded — divide every 3-4 years.
Why is my lily of the valley slugs eat new shoots?
Ring with grit early in spring.
Why is my lily of the valley difficult to remove?
Persistent rhizome fragments resprout; dig deeply or smother.