The May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley Lore

By May the woodland edges fill in, and somewhere in the shade a clump of lily of the valley hangs out its little white bells. That sweet, nostalgic flower thrives in the rich spring conditions of the month, sprouting its delicate bell-like blossoms all through May, which is what earned it the title of May birth flower. But there is more to this bloom than a pretty face. How much do you really know about lily of the valley meaning, or about the alternate May birth flower, hawthorn? Both carry histories full of unexpected lore, and we will work through all of it below.

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About Lily Of The Valley

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is an herbaceous perennial found naturally in temperate northern woodlands and forests, with three different geographic subspecies across its native ranges of North America, Europe, and Asia. A member of the plant family Asteraceae, lily of the valley is related to asparagus, hosta, yucca, agave, snake plant, and spider plant.

These sweet-scented blooms carry bell-shaped flowers on thin sprays, with clumping foliage giving them a luscious green base. Depending on the variety, the leaves run from a rich, deep green (close to the May birthstone, emerald) to blue-green tones or lighter variegated striping. Some types even bear double blossoms. For a fuller botanical description of the plant, Encyclopaedia Britannica keeps a useful entry on lily of the valley.

White or light pink blooms with scalloped edges open in late spring, from as early as late March in mild winters and on through May, which makes them ideal as the May birth month flower. Lily of the valley is sometimes also called May bells or May lily, a nod to the fifth month of the year. Even the flower’s Latin name, Convallaria majalis, translates to “valley lily of May” or close variations. Other old names for these flowers include glovewort, Our Lady’s tears, Mary’s tears, ladder-to-heaven, and fairy bells.

Come fall, lily of the valley produces small orange-red berries, and while the foliage may die back over winter, these are hardy plants that return for many years.

Related product: May Birthstone – Blue Lace Agate

The May Birth Flower At A Glance

If you are weighing the two May blooms side by side, here is how the main flower and its alternate compare. Both fit a family garden, and both bring their own folklore to the table.

Detail	Lily Of The Valley	Hawthorn (Alternate)
Botanical name	Convallaria majalis	Crataegus monogyna
Plant family	Asparagus relatives	Rosaceae, the rose family
Form	Low ground cover, 6 to 12 inches tall	Deciduous shrub or small tree
Bloom	White or pink bells in spring	White or pink flowers in spring
Symbolism	Purity, humility, sweet love	Supreme happiness, hope, protection
Note	Every part is toxic	Berries make jams, jellies, and wine

Lily Of The Valley Symbolism

Lily of the valley carries many symbolic meanings, from serenity, purity, and innocence to humility, humbleness, and freshness. The blooms can stand for youth and for rebirth and rejuvenation, yet they are also known to symbolize tears and mourning. That double edge, sweetness and sorrow at once, is part of what has kept the flower in folklore for so long.

Joy, a return of happiness, and sweet love are all part of lily of the valley’s definitions in floriography, the language of flowers that was popular in the Victorian era, and those meanings still hold today. The flowers are often favored for bridal bouquets thanks to that mix of joy, good fortune, purity, and innocence, the qualities folks associate with young love and weddings. 

Catherine Middleton, Princess of Wales, carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley at her 2011 wedding to Prince William, and other royals before her did the same, including Queen Victoria, Princess Astrid of Sweden, and Princess Grace of Monaco. In another royal connection, the flowers are said to have been a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II.

Even more symbolism for these blooms turns up in dreams. Depending on the context of the dream, the flower may mean joy or success, foretell good fortune or the receipt of a gift, signal good news, or point to less welcome feelings such as worry or exhaustion.

Lily Of The Valley Meaning Around The World

Lily of the valley turns up in the folklore of many cultures. Ancient Greek legends credit the origin of the flower to Apollo, son of Zeus and the god of healing, music, archery, poetry, and truth, who is said to have created the sweet blooms as a ground cover for the nymphs to walk upon.

Christian folklore mentions lily of the valley in several ways. The flowers are one of several blooms said to spring from the tears of the Virgin Mary as she wept at the foot of the cross after Jesus’ crucifixion, which is where the names Our Lady’s tears and Mary’s tears come from. 

The sweet scent of the blooms is read as a sign of the sweetness of Jesus’ teachings, and is even tied at times to a sign of Christ’s second coming. Another version of the Christian origin holds that the flowers grew from Eve’s tears as she and Adam were sent out of the Garden of Eden.

In Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and Celtic legends, lily of the valley is sometimes linked to the virginal Ostara, goddess of spring and the spring equinox, also known as Eastre and Eostre (variations of Easter).

In France, the flowers are celebrated on May 1 as a symbol of spring and good fortune, a custom that began in 1561 during the reign of King Charles IX when he was given a sprig of the delicate blooms as a token of good luck. He was so charmed that he started a tradition, presenting bouquets of the flowers to the ladies of his court every May 1. The custom spread further in the early 1900s, when Frenchmen took to giving their ladies bouquets of lilies of the valley to show affection.

Lily of the valley was once the national flower of the former nation of Yugoslavia, and was adopted as the official national flower of Finland in 1967.

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Lily Of The Valley In Art And Literature

The flower is so widespread and familiar that it is woven through works of art and literature, poetry most of all. African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar’s aptly named “The Lily of the Valley,” published in 1905 in his Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow collection, describes the blooms with vivid imagery true to their nature, blooming in “fragrant vernal days” in the “quiet nooks of earth.”

The flowers are also the key element of early-modernist Jewish artist Marc Chagall’s notable oil still life “Lilies of the Valley,” painted in 1916. See an image of the painting here.

Even modern music gives the flower its due, with a ballad by Queen titled “Lily of the Valley,” written and performed by Freddie Mercury. Listen to the song here (via YouTube).

Baby you’ve been had
I am forever searching high and low
But why does everybody tell me no?
Neptune of the seas, an answer for me please
The lily of the valley doesn’t know

I lie in wait with open eyes
I carry on through stormy skies
I follow every course, my kingdom for a horse
But each time I grow old
Serpent of the Nile, relieve me for a while
And cast me from your spell, and let me go

Messenger from seven seas has flown
To tell the king of Rhye he’s lost his throne
Wars will never cease
Is there time enough for peace?
The lily of the valley doesn’t know

-Freddie Mercury

The song was first released in 1974 on the album Sheer Heart Attack, a fitting irony given that the flower is known for its toxicity and its effect on the heart.

The Dark Side Of Lily Of The Valley

For all its beauty and its lovely symbolism, lily of the valley has a potent dark side. Every part of the plant is heavily toxic to people and animals, especially cats, dogs, and horses. The roots are the most poisonous part, but even brushing the leaves can bring on skin irritation, a rash, or blisters. The old name glovewort is a plain reminder that it is smart to wear gloves when handling the plant, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

The toxins in lily of the valley are cardiac glycosides. More than 35 different types of these toxic compounds have been found in the plant, and the same family of compounds shows up in other poisonous plants such as oleander and foxglove. So potent is this plant that lily of the valley was once used to coat arrows or bladed weapons to make them more lethal.

Note: Farmers’ Almanac does not give medical advice. The information here is intended for educational purposes only. Please work with a professional if you choose to forage botanicals in nature.

Sweet Scent

Despite the toxicity of all parts of the plant, it is perfectly safe to smell lily of the valley, and its scent has long been used in aromatherapy to ease depression, relieve anxiety, and reduce stress.

Here is a curious wrinkle: the aromatic essences cannot be naturally extracted from lily of the valley, so the scent has to be reproduced artificially. Noted perfumers have done so for decades, Dior among them in 1956. (Lily of the valley was said to be Christian Dior’s favorite flower.) Beyond delicate perfumes, the scent is popular for candles, soaps, powders, and lotions.

Related products: Farmers’ Almanac Zodiac Soaps

Growing Lily Of The Valley

Lily of the valley makes a fine ground cover, especially in shady spots where other flowers sulk. It is low maintenance, stays handsome for years with little effort, and even deters deer.

Related: Plants You Can Grow In The Shade

Hardy in gardening zones 3-9 (depending on the exact type), the plant suits many landscapes. It is an especially good choice for spots where it will be naturally contained, such as terraces or steep slopes for erosion control, alongside sidewalks or driveways, or in tucked-away nooks where it cannot spread too far. It also does well in pots, on a patio or with pots sunk into the ground for easy containment.

Depending on the kind, lily of the valley stands roughly 6-12 inches tall and 9-12 inches wide, and it does not mind crowding. These flowers prefer soil that is slightly alkaline or neutral, and rich organic material is a must for proper nourishment. Not sure which zone you garden in? Our guide to plant hardiness zones will sort you out.

Partial or full shade is best, and many gardeners plant lily of the valley under trees where other flowers would not get enough sun. Keep the plants consistently moist but not soggy. They need no pruning or deadheading, and they will return year after year with minimal care.

Important note: Lily of the valley spreads quickly and is considered invasive in some areas. Plant it carefully so it does not crowd your other plants. (Mowing over it in unwanted areas will not slow how fast or how far it spreads, since it replicates through rhizomes underground.)

If you love the look and the low-maintenance habit of lily of the valley but are not keen on how invasive or how toxic it can be, several beautiful alternatives share the same vibe. Consider white mountain heather (Cassiope mertensiana), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), or wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia). Hostas and ferns are other good choices with similar needs that add a lovely look to the landscape.

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The Alternate May Birth Flower: Hawthorn

Lily of the valley is the best-known May birth month flower, but there is also an alternate, common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), also called quickthorn or whitethorn. It shares the same native range as lily of the valley across temperate North America, Europe, and Asia, and here is the irony: hawthorn has long been used in folk medicine to treat heart trouble, while lily of the valley causes it.

This moderately fragrant deciduous shrub or small tree belongs to the Rosaceae plant family, kin to roses and many edible fruits such as apples, pears, and cherries. It symbolizes supreme happiness, hope, and even protection, the last of those owing to its thorns.

Hawthorn bears white or pink flowers in spring, including all through May, and produces red berries in the fall that make fine jams, jellies, wine, syrups, and flavorings, a way to enjoy the plant long after its symbolic month has passed.

Whether you favor lily of the valley or hawthorn, both plants make stunning additions to a family birth flower garden, a way to share the beauty of May all year long. If you are timing a May wedding, a christening, or a spring birthday, our full Moon calendar will help you plan around May’s Flower Moon.

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Join The Discussion

Which May birth month flower do you prefer: lily of the valley or hawthorn? 

Did anything surprise you about lily of the valley meaning?

Share your thoughts, tips, and tricks in the comments below.

May Birth Flower: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the May birth flower?

The May birth flower is the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), a sweet-scented spring bloom that stands for purity, humility, and the return of happiness. The alternate May birth flower is common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), also called quickthorn or whitethorn.

What does lily of the valley symbolize?

Lily of the valley symbolizes serenity, purity, innocence, humility, and freshness, along with sweet love and a return of happiness in the Victorian language of flowers. It can also stand for tears and mourning, which is why it appears in both wedding bouquets and grief traditions.

Is lily of the valley poisonous?

Yes. Every part of the plant is heavily toxic to people and animals, especially cats, dogs, and horses. The roots are the most poisonous part, and more than 35 cardiac glycoside compounds have been found in it. Wear gloves when handling it, and it is still perfectly safe to smell.

When does lily of the valley bloom?

Lily of the valley blooms in late spring, as early as late March in mild winters and on through May. That May timing, plus old names like May bells and May lily, is part of why it became the May birth flower.

How do you grow lily of the valley?

Grow it in partial to full shade in slightly alkaline or neutral soil rich in organic material, kept moist but not soggy. It is hardy in zones 3-9 and reaches about 6-12 inches tall and 9-12 inches wide. It needs no pruning or deadheading, but it spreads by rhizomes and can be invasive, so plant it where it stays contained.

Why is hawthorn the alternate May birth flower?

Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) blooms with white or pink flowers all through May and shares lily of the valley’s native range across North America, Europe, and Asia. A member of the rose family, it symbolizes supreme happiness, hope, and protection, and its fall berries make jams, jellies, and wine.