Maianthemum

( may - ANTH - em - mum )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennial plants includes species that need partial shade and regular water to perform well in the garden. They grow from rhizome and are native to a widespread area across much of North America, Europe, and Asia. Species can be terrestrial, aquatic, or epiphytic, and have simple clasping leaves. Flowers are cup-shaped to bell-shaped and are usually white, but some species and their varietals have blooms in shades of lavender, red, or green. Fruits that follow flowers are small, fleshy, and bright red, purple, or black. Use Maianthemum in shaded, natural landscapes, as woodland groundcover, for mass plantings on hills and open areas, in shade or rain gardens, or simply for their wildlife value.

Maianthemum Species and Varietals

The genus Maianthemum is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae and includes about 40 species. Plants in this genus are closely related to those in Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal) and Convallaria (Lily of the Valley). The genus name is derived from the Greek words for May (maios) and flower (anthos). The best growing zones for Maianthemum are described below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Maianthemum bifolium (Maianthemum dilatatum) (False Lily-Of-The-Valley, May Lily)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-7 or Sunset growing zones A2, A3, 2-9 and 14-17 and is native from Northern California up to Alaska and east to Idaho. It is a low-growing plant, reaching just 6-8 inches tall, and spreads by underground rhizomes. It makes a great groundcover, producing white flowers on short stems in springtime. The blooms are followed by red berries in summer. Dies to the ground in winter. This species is considered invasive in western Europe.

Maianthemum canadense (Canadian May-Lily, Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-Valley, Two-Leaved Solomon's Seal, Beadruby)
This understory plant is native to Canada and the northeastern United States. Plants can either be a single leaf emerging from the ground with no fruiting structures, or as a flowering and fruiting stem with two to three leaves. Flowers are white and held in clusters. Plants reach between 4-10 inches tall when mature. Canada Mayflower grows well in USDA hardiness zones 2-8.

Maianthemum racemosum (Smilacina racemosa) (False Solomon's Seal)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-7 and 14-17 and is native to woodland areas in Northern California up to British Columbia and over to the Rocky Mountains. Reaches 1-3 feet tall and spreads by underground rhizomes to form large colonies. Leaves are medium-green and are hairy on the undersides. Foliage yellows in fall, and in springtime fragrant flower clusters in creamy white. In fall, blooms are followed by red berries spotted with violet. Great for naturalizing in woodland gardens.

Maianthemum stellatum (Smilacina stellata, Convallaria stellata) (Star-Flowered, Starry, Little False Solomon's Seal, Star-Flowered Lily-of-the-Valley, Starry False Solomon's Seal)
This species is native to a large area that spans over North America, and produces small white flowers in springtime. Blooms are followed by green and black striped berries that mature to red in the fall. Individual plants reach up to 1-2 feet tall and form colonies 1-2 feet (or more) wide. This species is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.

Caring for Maianthemum

Before planting, Maianthemum in the landscape, consider installing a root barrier to 12-18 inches deep with 1-2 inches exposed above the soil surface to curtail their aggressive spreading tendencies. Maianthemum does well in a space in the garden that receives partial shade. They can grow in full shade, but will not flower or grow as profusely in this exposure. They are intolerant of heat and direct sun, naturally growing in woodland landscapes. Soil should be well-draining and rich in nutrients with a slightly acidic pH (between 5.0 and 7.0). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Put down a thick (2-3 inch) layer of organic mulching material around the area after planting to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water newly planted False Solomon's Seal regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants appreciate moist but not soggy soils.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune off flowering stems once blooms have faded, or leave them on plants if you will be harvesting seeds for propagation. These plants can be divided every few years for best health. For instructions on how to divided Maianthemum plants, see the Propagation section below. These plants are considered long-lived herbaceous perennials, and can persist in the landscape for decades. Clumps can be divided to produce new plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Propagation

Maianthemum can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your False Solomon's Seal, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Maianthemum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. They are contained inside of the berries produced by plants in late summer to early fall (typically between August and October). They vary in their mature color, and can be bright red, ruby, or dark purple red. A good indicator that berries are ripe is when they feel slightly soft when gently squeezed. Mash berries in a bowl of water to separate out the seeds, and then pour through a fine mesh strainer to rinse away any pulp. Then, air dry for 1-2 days.
Maianthemum seeds have a double dormancy. To sprout them, they will need to be warm and then cold stratified. To complete this process, first place seeds in a bag or other sealable container filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Then, place the container in a space that remains between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for between 3-4 months. Next, place the container in the refrigerator (or an area that is dark and stays between 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit) for 3-4 months. The ideal temperature for cold-stratification is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After this period has passed, remove seeds from the container to sow them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Maianthemum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring, and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your rhizomes and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Maianthemum berries contain between 1 and 6 seeds each, depending on the species cultivated.

Maianthemum seeds are small, hard, and spherical. They have a thick coat and require treatment to germinate.

Problems and Pests

Certain Maianthemum species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Maianthemum plants do not typically have many serious pest or disease issues in the landscape, but they can have problems with the following from time to time: