• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Forcing Lily of the Valley

Add some fragrance to your indoor decor with a pot of lily-of-the-valley

You may have grown this plant in the garden, but it can also be forced into bloom and enjoyed indoors.

Start your plants from pips purchased from your local florist, garden center or online catalogue.  Pips are the shoots that arise from the fleshy underground stem known as rhizomes. Purchase “prepared” or “precooled” pips if possible to eliminate the needed chilling period. Otherwise, you’ll need to store them in a 45 degree location for at least 8 weeks.

Plant the pips in a moist well-drained potting mix with the tips just visible above the soil.  Place the container in a bright location, watering often enough to keep the soil moist, but not wet.  Continue to water and wait for the flowers to appear in 3 to 4 weeks.  Remove flower stems as the flowers fade.

A bit more information: Once the plant is done blooming move it to a sunny window, continue watering and fertilizer with a dilute solution of flowering houseplant fertilizer. You can move the plants outdoors when the danger of frost has passed.  Beware, as these are vigorous plants that can take over the garden.

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


March 20, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Maximize the Beauty and Enjoyment
in Any Small Space
Register now

March 23, 2024

REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 27, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Start a Garden for Beginners
Register now

April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW