Elaeocarpus grandiflorus , or Lily of the Valley Tree, is an evergreen small tree or shrub with leathery dark green leaves and attractive fringed white flowers. Left to its own devices, it can reach heights of 90 feet, but it is more typically kept small and grown in a container. It is often grown as an ornamental in the landscape. It is native to Indochina and is typically found in tropical or sub-tropical rain forests and is not cold hardy. Lily of the Valley Tree produces clusters of frilly flowers with the blooms all along the stems from late winter through summer. It makes an excellent indoor plant for its ability to tolerate dry conditions and lower light levels. It is ideal for the tropical garden as it needs little maintenance, tolerates low nutrient and dry soils, but performs best when well watered. It is hardy to at least a light freeze when established (as low as mid-20's). Small plants require regular watering, then as the plant matures in the ground, it becomes drought-tolerant. The fruit of this tree, once cleaned of the flesh and polished, are used in India as stones in necklaces, bracelets and other ornaments, or in rosaries with religious significance. The tree is normally evergreen, but may shed leaves for a short period of time during cold or drought periods. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant diseases or insect pest issues. Sensitive to overfeeding when grown indoors.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Conical; Dense; Erect; Oval
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Young leaves are red, turning dark green. Old leaves turn bright red to scarlet before falling. Clusters of finely toothed, glossy leaves are hairy and paler beneath.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Small, 1 to 1 1/2 inch, white fringed flowers appear in late spring. Flowers are pendulous clusters with pinkish-red sepals and frilly white petals. The flowers hang downwards, reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley. Each bloom is clasped in narrow, finely pointed sepals, with its petals deeply incised to give the appearance of a shaggy fringe. Flowers have an unusual liquorice scent.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Green-yellow 1 inch ovoid drupe with a fleshy coating. Inside is a 4-seeded stone marked with 5 vertical grooves.