Maianthemum

( may - ANTH - em - mum )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennial plants needs partial shade and regular water. 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 berries that contain few to several seeds each. Grow these plants in the middle of mixed beds or borders, under trees and shrubs, or in woodland, wildflower, cottage-style, or shady landscapes as a specimen or groundcover plant.

Maianthemum Species and Varietals

The genus Maianthemum is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae and includes about 40 species. 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 kamtschaticum (Maianthemum dilatatum) (False Lily-Of-The-Valley, May Lily)
This species grows best in zones A2, A3, 2-9 and 14-17 and is native from Northern California up to Alaska and over 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 summertime. Dies to the ground in wintertime.

Maianthemum canadense (Canadian May-Lily, Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-Valley, Two-Leaved Solomon's Seal)
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. 

Maianthemum racemosum (Smilacina racemosa) (False Solomon's Seal)
This species grows best in 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)
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.

Caring for Maianthemum

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.​

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
  1. 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.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), 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:
  1. 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.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 containing seeds.
Maianthemum seeds.

Problems and Pests

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:
  • ​Root Rot
  • Powdery Mildew
For more information on these issues, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

This shady garden features pink-flowering Maianthemum.
These plants are native to woodland areas, and appreciate partial shade.
Here, False Solomon's Seal is grown alongside various ferns.

Videos

A quick video about False Solomon's Seal.
How to grow these shade-loving plants.
Check out these great garden ornamentals.

Resources

False Solomon's Seal, Maianthemum racemosum
Maianthemum racemosum (False Spikenard)
Wikipedia: Maianthemum
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 432, Maianthemum
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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