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You can force lily of the valley indoors by replicating the cold and dark conditions they need before bringing them into warmth.
It’s a simple process once you understand the plant’s natural rhythm and it lets you enjoy those fragrant, bell-shaped blooms weeks before they’d appear in your garden.
Forcing lily of the valley indoors isn’t complicated but it does require patience and a little bit of planning ahead.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to force lily of the valley indoors, from choosing the right pips to coaxing out those beautiful blossoms.
Let’s dive in and get those blooms started.
Why You Can Force Lily Of The Valley Indoors
Forcing lily of the valley indoors works because these plants have a built-in dormancy period that you can manipulate.
In their natural habitat, lily of the valley pips sit through a cold winter before spring warmth triggers new growth.
When you force lily of the valley indoors, you’re essentially tricking the pips into thinking winter has passed.
By providing a period of cold and then a sudden shift to warmth, you signal the plant to break dormancy and start blooming.
It’s a reliable method that florists have used for generations.
And the best part? You don’t need a greenhouse or fancy equipment to pull it off at home.
1. Start With Pre-Chilled Pips
The easiest way to force lily of the valley indoors is to buy pre-chilled pips.
These are corms that have already been through the required cold treatment by the grower.
If you order them online or find them at a garden center, they’ll come ready to plant and force immediately.
This saves you about four to six weeks of waiting time.
Pre-chilled pips are perfect for beginners because they take the guesswork out of the chilling phase.
2. Or Chill Your Own Pips
If you have lily of the valley growing in your garden, you can dig up the pips yourself and chill them.
To force lily of the valley indoors with your own pips, lift them in late fall after the foliage has died back.
Brush off the excess soil and place them in a plastic bag with some slightly damp peat moss.
Store the bag in your refrigerator for about six to eight weeks.
Make sure the fridge isn’t too cold and keep the temperature around 35 to 40°F.
Avoid freezing the pips as that will damage them beyond recovery.
How To Force Lily Of The Valley Indoors Step By Step
Once your pips are properly chilled, it’s time to bring them out and start the forcing process.
The actual forcing takes about three to four weeks from planting to full bloom.
Here’s the straightforward method to follow.
1. Choose The Right Container
When you force lily of the valley indoors, choose a shallow pot that has good drainage.
The pot should be about four to six inches deep and wide enough to hold the pips without crowding.
You can plant multiple pips in one container as long as they have a little room to breathe.
Terracotta pots work wonderfully since they allow excess moisture to evaporate.
Just ensure there’s a drainage hole so the pips don’t sit in soggy soil.
2. Use Quality Potting Mix
A light, well-draining potting mix is essential to force lily of the valley indoors successfully.
A blend of standard potting soil with a bit of perlite or coarse sand improves drainage and aeration.
Avoid heavy garden soil as it can compact and lead to rot.
Fill your container about halfway with the potting mix, then gently place the pips on top.
Space them about an inch apart with the pointed tips facing upward.
Cover the roots and the lower portion of the pips with more mix, leaving the growing tips exposed.
Water thoroughly so the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged.
3. Start In A Cool, Dark Place
After planting, your pips need a gradual transition from cold to warmth.
Place the pot in a cool, dark spot like an unheated garage, basement, or even a closet.
The ideal temperature here is around 50 to 60°F.
Keep the soil lightly moist during this period.
After about a week, you’ll see the first shoots starting to emerge from the pips.
This is your signal to move them to a slightly warmer location.
4. Move To A Brighter, Warmer Spot
Now it’s time to bring your forced lily of the valley into a warmer room with indirect light.
A north or east-facing windowsill is perfect.
Keep the temperature between 65 and 70°F during the day.
Avoid placing them in direct hot sunlight as that can scorch the emerging leaves.
Continue to keep the soil evenly moist, and you’ll see the flower stalks begin to rise.
Within two to three weeks, your lily of the valley will be in full bloom.
5. Enjoy And Maintain The Blooms
Once the flowers open, you can move the pot anywhere you’d like to enjoy the sweet fragrance.
To prolong the bloom period, keep the lily of the valley away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
Cooler room temperatures will help the delicate flowers last longer.
Keep the soil consistently moist but never soaking wet.
Cut the flower stems when they’re fully open to create lovely, tiny bouquets for vases.
Common Mistakes When You Force Lily Of The Valley Indoors
Even with the best intentions, a few pitfalls can ruin your forcing efforts.
Here’s what to avoid so you can force lily of the valley indoors like a pro.
1. Skipping The Chilling Period
If you don’t chill your pips long enough, they simply won’t bloom.
The cold period is not optional when you force lily of the valley indoors.
It’s the trigger that tells the plant to produce flowers.
Without at least six weeks of chill, you’ll likely get leaves but no blossoms.
2. Overwatering The Pips
Lily of the valley pips are prone to rotting if they sit in waterlogged soil.
Always let the top inch of soil dry slightly between waterings.
Make sure your pot drains well and never let it stand in a saucer of water.
Consistent moisture is good, but soggy conditions are fatal.
3. Moving To Warmth Too Quickly
A sudden jump from the refrigerator to a hot room can shock your pips.
The gradual step from cold to cool to warm is important.
This slow acclimation encourages strong, healthy growth and better flowering.
Be patient with each stage, and your lily of the valley will reward you.
So, How Do You Force Lily Of The Valley Indoors?
You can force lily of the valley indoors by chilling the pips, planting them in well-draining soil, and gradually moving them into warmer, brighter conditions.
It’s a rewarding process that brings a touch of spring into your home even when snow is still on the ground.
Start with pre-chilled pips if you’re short on time, or chill your own for a more hands-on approach.
Give your pips a cool, dark start before moving them to a bright windowsill, and keep the soil evenly moist throughout.
Avoid overwatering and sudden temperature shifts, and you’ll have stunning, fragrant blooms in just a few weeks.
Now that you know how to force lily of the valley indoors, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying these delicate beauties all winter long.
Happy forcing, and enjoy your gorgeous indoor blooms.