Plant guide
Lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis
Lily of the valley is toxic to cats and can affect the heart and nervous system. Suspected ingestion needs immediate veterinary advice.
What this guide covers: Convallaria majalis, not a true Lilium lily. A shared common name does not imply the same poisoning mechanism.
Photo:
Photo details
Convallaria majalis — NC State Extension image 12659
By H Zell
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Convallaria majalis — NC State Extension image 12659
By H Zell
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Lily of the valley plant
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Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
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Look for Convallaria majalis and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Convallaria majalis
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Convallaria majalis, not a true Lilium lily. A shared common name does not imply the same poisoning mechanism.
- Light
- Medium indirect light
Dappled light to partial or full shade.
- Watering
Keep moist; established plants tolerate some summer dryness.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
No preferred temperature range established.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Moist soil rich in organic matter.
- Through the year
- Monitor spreading rhizomes; it can spread aggressively. Check local planting restrictions.
Growing-guide sources
- Convallaria majalis ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-15
Convallaria majalis, not a true Lilium lily. A shared common name does not imply the same poisoning mechanism.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Severity
- Severity not established
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Lily of the valley: toxic and non-toxic plants ↗ASPCA · Accessed
Safety last reviewed .