Lily of the valley: the muguet of May 1

What lily of the valley means

Lily of the valley, or muguet in French, is the flower of luck and happiness. Its little white bells appear in late April and early May, when winter is behind us, which is why it is associated with the “return of happiness”. In the language of flowers it also means purity and sweetness.

Despite its name, it isn’t a true lily: it belongs to another plant family. It grows in the damp, shady woods of Europe and Asia, forming fragrant carpets.

May 1 muguet in France

Tradition says that on May 1, 1561, King Charles IX received a little bunch of muguet as a good luck charm. He liked the gesture so much that he decided to give muguet every year to the ladies of his court. The custom spread to the rest of society and in the early 20th century it merged with May 1 as Labor Day.

Today, every May 1, the streets of France fill with muguet stalls and a little bunch is given to family, friends or coworkers to wish them a good year. It is one of the few occasions when anyone is allowed to sell flowers in the street without a license.

A season of just a few weeks

• Spain: May.
• Mexico and Central America: out of local season (greenhouse-grown or imported).
• Argentina, Chile and Uruguay: out of local season (greenhouse-grown or imported).

Muguet blooms between late April and May. French growers, especially around Nantes, work to have it ready exactly for May 1. Outside that period it is very hard to find as a cut flower, although it is sold in pots and as bulbs (rhizomes) to plant in autumn.

Caution: it is toxic

Every part of lily of the valley, including the red berries that appear after the flower and the vase water, contains cardiac glycosides. If ingested they can cause vomiting, heart rhythm disturbances and, in severe cases, serious poisoning. Touching it isn’t dangerous, but wash your hands afterwards and keep it out of reach of young children, dogs and cats.

Muguet in fashion and at weddings

Christian Dior considered muguet his favorite flower and lucky charm: he sewed it into the hems of his collections and the house created a perfume with its scent. It is also a classic at royal weddings: Grace Kelly carried it in her bouquet in 1956 and Kate Middleton in 2011. Its scent is so prized that it is one of the classic floral notes in perfumery, although it is recreated in the lab because the flower doesn’t yield a usable essential oil.

If you can’t find muguet

Any simple little white bunch works for wishing good luck in spring: daisies, white freesias or hyacinths. And if you’re looking for a white flower for a wedding, peonies and white roses are in season in May.

Remind me 3 days before

Download the reminder and open it with your phone’s calendar: it repeats every year and alerts you three days before, so you have time to order the bouquet.

Add to my calendar (.ics)Google Calendar ↗

Frequently asked questions

Why is muguet given on May 1 in France?

According to tradition, in 1561 King Charles IX received a little bunch of muguet as a good luck charm and decided to give it every year to the ladies of the court. The custom caught on and today it is a tradition throughout France.

What does lily of the valley mean?

Luck, happiness, purity and the return of happiness. Its flowering announces the arrival of good weather.

Is lily of the valley poisonous?

Yes. Every part contains cardiac glycosides that are toxic if ingested, for people and pets. You can touch it, but keep it away from young children and animals.

Can muguet be sold in the street on May 1?

In France, yes: on that day private individuals are allowed to sell little bunches of wild muguet in the street without a license, under certain conditions.

Why is muguet associated with brides?

Because of its whiteness and its meaning of happiness. Grace Kelly carried it in her bouquet in 1956 and Kate Middleton in 2011.