How To Get Rid Of Lily Of The Valley Plants

Getting rid of lily of the valley plants requires persistence, but it’s absolutely doable with the right approach.
 
If you’ve been asking how to get rid of lily of the valley plants, you already know this pretty ground cover can turn into a relentless invader.
 
Lily of the valley spreads through underground rhizomes, and those roots are tough enough to survive most casual weeding attempts.
 
The good news is that you can remove lily of the valley plants for good by combining a few proven methods.
 
In this post, we’ll break down why lily of the valley is so hard to kill, the best ways to get rid of lily of the valley plants, and how to keep them from coming back.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why Getting Rid Of Lily Of The Valley Requires Strategy

Lily of the valley doesn’t give up easily because of how its root system works.
 
The plant stores energy in thick, white rhizomes that can travel several feet underground.
 
Even a tiny piece of rhizome left behind can sprout a whole new plant.
 
That’s why simply pulling the leaves won’t help you get rid of lily of the valley plants effectively.
 
So let’s look at how to get rid of lily of the valley at the root level.
 

1. Manual Digging Is The Most Direct Way To Get Rid Of Lily Of The Valley

If you want to get rid of lily of the valley plants without chemicals, manual digging is your best bet.
 
Wait until the soil is moist, like after a good rain, because dry soil makes rhizomes brittle and easy to break.
 
Use a garden fork or a shovel to loosen the soil around the entire clump.
 
Then, gently lift the whole root mass out, trying to keep it intact as much as possible.
 
Shake off the excess soil so you can see the white rhizomes clearly.
 
Now, sift through the soil by hand and pull out every piece of rhizome you can find.
 
This is the most tedious part of learning how to get rid of lily of the valley, but it’s also the most thorough.
 
Dispose of the plants in a trash bag, not your compost pile, because those rhizomes will happily regrow in compost.
 
You’ll likely need to repeat this digging process a few times over the season.
 

2. Smothering Is A Reliable Way To Get Rid Of Lily Of The Valley Plants

Another effective method to get rid of lily of the valley is to cut off its light and air supply.
 
First, mow or cut the foliage down to the ground level.
 
Then, cover the entire area with thick cardboard or several layers of newspaper.
 
Overlap the edges of the cardboard so no light can sneak through.
 
Next, wet the cardboard thoroughly and cover it with at least 4 to 6 inches of mulch or compost.
 
The idea is that the rhizomes will starve without photosynthesis.
 
This method takes several months, so it’s best to do it in late summer and leave it until spring.
 
While this isn’t the fastest approach, smothering is one of the more gentle ways to get rid of lily of the valley in garden beds.
 

3. Using Herbicides To Get Rid Of Lily Of The Valley

If you have a large infestation, you might choose a herbicide to get rid of lily of the valley plants.
 
Look for a non-selective herbicide containing glyphosate for the best results.
 
Apply it directly to the leaves in late spring or early fall when the plant is actively growing.
 
Wait for a dry, calm day so the herbicide won’t drift onto your other plants.
 
The herbicide will soak into the leaves and travel down to the rhizomes.
 
But keep in mind, you’ll likely need to reapply after a few weeks because some rhizomes will survive the first round.
 
After you successfully get rid of lily of the valley with herbicide, you still need to remove the dead rhizomes from the soil.
 

How To Get Rid Of Lily Of The Valley In Lawn Areas

When lily of the valley invades your lawn, getting rid of it requires a slightly different touch.
 
You don’t want to dig big holes in your turf or smother the grass along with the weeds.
 
So let’s talk about targeted ways to get rid of lily of the valley plants without ruining your lawn.
 

1. Spot-Treat With A Weed Killer

Use a paintbrush or a foam applicator to dab herbicide onto each leaf.
 
This allows you to get rid of lily of the valley while leaving the grass untouched.
 
Be careful with sprays since they can drift and leave dead patches in your lawn.
 
After the foliage dies back, hand-dig the rhizomes as you would in a garden bed.
 

2. Solarize The Soil In Bare Patches

If the lily of the valley has killed off the grass in a certain spot, you can solarize the soil.
 
Mow the area and water it deeply.
 
Then, cover it with clear plastic sheeting, sealing the edges with rocks or soil.
 
The sun’s heat will build up under the plastic and cook the rhizomes.
 
After four to six weeks of hot, sunny weather, you’ll have an easier time getting rid of lily of the valley roots.
 
Then you can reseed your lawn.
 

Preventing Lily Of The Valley From Coming Back

Once you’ve gone through the effort to get rid of lily of the valley plants, you don’t want them returning.
 
And trust me, if you miss a single rhizome, they will come back.
 
Here’s how to keep your garden free after you get rid of lily of the valley.
 

1. Install A Rhizome Barrier

You can bury a plastic or metal barrier around the area where lily of the valley used to grow.
 
Make sure the barrier extends at least 12 inches deep into the soil, and leave a few inches above ground.
 
This will stop rhizomes from creeping back in from your neighbor’s yard or another part of your property.
 

2. Regularly Patrol For New Shoots

After you get rid of lily of the valley, check the area every couple of weeks.
 
Pull out any new shoots as soon as you see them.
 
The sooner you catch them, the easier it is to follow the rhizome to its source and remove it.
 

3. Plant Competitive Ground Cover

Bare soil is an open invitation for lily of the valley to return.
 
So once you’re sure you’ve gotten rid of lily of the valley, plant a dense, aggressive ground cover in its place.
 
Plants like creeping thyme or hardy geraniums can outcompete any stray rhizomes that survive.
 

So, How To Get Rid Of Lily Of The Valley Plants For Good?

Getting rid of lily of the valley plants is a multi-step process that combines digging, smothering, or using herbicide.
 
You can successfully get rid of lily of the valley by focusing on the rhizomes, not just the visible leaves.
 
Whether you choose manual removal, smothering, or chemical treatment, persistence is the real secret.
 
And after you get rid of lily of the valley, keep up with regular inspections and barriers so those tough roots don’t stage a comeback.
 
With a little patience, you’ll finally have the beautiful, lily-free garden you’ve been working toward.
 
So get those gloves on and start tackling it today.