False lily-of-the-valley is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial ground cover native to China in the asparagus family (asparagaceae). It is the only plant in this genus. Speirantha is derived from Greek and means 'twisted flower'. This plant does best in shade to part shade in evenly moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils. It grows to 10 inches high and will spread slowly to 3 feet wide in several years, forming a thick ground cover. It is deer-resistant, humidity-tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant. Propagate by division. In the spring, false-lily-of-the-valley produces a spray of white star-shaped flowers that are held above the shiny lance-shaped leaves. The plant may rebloom in the fall. Use this plant as a ground cover in a woodland setting, an Asian themed garden, a fairy garden or to add winter interest. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Diseases to watch for include root rot and fungal leaf spots, especially in conditions with poor drainage.
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.
Fills a similar nicheSarcococca hookeriana var. dygynaViola sororiax Heucherella
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 0 ft. 10 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Dense; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Dark shiny green lance-shaped leaves are up to 10 inches long and grow from slowly spreading rhizomes.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Clusters of frqagrant white star-shaped flowers appear in spring. There may be a repeat bloom in fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Dark berry-like capsules
Stem detail
Stems grow from slowly spreading rhizomes
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China
Attracts
Bees
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Children's Garden; Fairy Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden