Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade and will struggle in hot, direct sun.

How fast does it spread?

It spreads at a moderate pace through rhizomes, making it a great groundcover.

Plant guide

Starry false lily of the valley.

Maianthemum stellatum

Pronounced my-AN-the-mum stel-LAY-tum

Also known as False Solomon's Seal, Little False Solomon's-seal, Star False Solomon's-seal, Star-flower Solomon's-seal, Star-flowered False Solomon's Seal, Star-flowered Lily-of-the-valley, Starflower-solomon's-seal, Starry False Lily Of The Valley

star-flowered lily-of-the-valley — Photo by Tom Norton (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This lovely native perennial features arching stems and delicate white flowers that bloom in late spring. It spreads through underground rhizomes to form charming colonies in woodland settings. You will enjoy its subtle beauty as it naturalizes in shady garden spots.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this in rich, moist soil that mimics a woodland floor. Keep an eye out for wilting during dry spells, as it prefers consistent moisture. It is quite hardy and needs very little intervention once established.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a light layer of compost in early spring to support growth.
Pruning: Cut back dead foliage in late autumn or early spring.
Repotting: Divide colonies every few years if they become too crowded.
Soil: Moist, well draining, organic rich soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -35 to 25°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 plus years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but the berries can cause stomach upset if eaten in quantity.
Children: The small berries may pose a choking hazard to very young children.
Contact allergens: No specific skin irritation is associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not considered a major allergen.
Edibility: While the berries are technically edible, they have a laxative effect and are not recommended for consumption.

How to identify it

Arching stems with alternate leaves
Star shaped white flowers
Red or dark striped berries
Rhizomatous spreading growth habit

Height: 0.2 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: red, dark purple, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Slugs · These mollusks may feed on the tender young foliage in spring.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage will die back naturally in autumn, so you can simply leave it to mulch the soil or clear it away if you prefer a tidy look.
In containers: It is not well-suited for containers as it prefers the consistent moisture and cool soil temperatures of the ground.

Division

Dig up a section of the rhizome in early spring or autumn.
Use a sharp knife to cut the rhizome into pieces with at least one bud each.
Replant the pieces immediately in moist, shady soil.

Plant these in groups of three or more to create a naturalistic, flowing carpet effect in your shade garden.

Grows well with

Trillium · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Wild Ginger · It makes a lovely, low-growing companion for the woodland floor.
Ferns · The contrasting textures look beautiful together in a shade garden.

Similar species

False Solomon's Seal · It has a similar growth habit but features larger, plume-like flower clusters.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Maianthemum
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Across much of North America, from Canada down through the northern and western United States.
Conservation: It is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It survives by forming extensive rhizomatous networks that allow it to colonize shaded forest floors effectively.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides cover for small ground animals
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: woodland garden groundcover, native plant restoration, shade garden filler

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 3/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade and will struggle in hot, direct sun.
How fast does it spread?: It spreads at a moderate pace through rhizomes, making it a great groundcover.

Where the name comes from

The name Maianthemum comes from the Greek words for May and flower, referring to its spring bloom time, while stellatum refers to the star-shaped flowers.

Good to know

It is often called Starry False Solomon's Seal because of its star-shaped flowers.
The berries often have dark stripes that fade as they ripen to a solid red.
It thrives in cool, moist woodland soils.
It is a very hardy native that can survive harsh northern winters.

Also in

Plants for shade

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.