Sweet Alyssum has one of the most beautiful plant names. A sweet name, you might say. Do these flowers live up to this beautiful name? Let’s find out.
Is Alyssum a perennial plant? Does it like shade? What is the best fertilizer? About that and much more on this beautiful plant you can desire here,
Have you heard about an app to identify plants? And such an app can do much more, from care reminders to scanning the plant’s diseases.
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a charming, low-growing flowering plant. The name “sweet” comes from its honey-like fragrance and delicate clusters of tiny Alyssum flowers.
It’s popular in gardens, containers, and hanging baskets because of its easy care and long blooming season. A true ornamental plant.
In terms of “family relation”, Alyssum plant is a member of Brassicaceae (mustard family).
Alyssum Overview | |
Feature | Details |
Origin | Mediterranean region and Canary Islands |
Type | Herbaceous annual in most climates. Can be perennial in mild, frost-free areas (USDA Zones 9–11) |
Size | 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) tall |
Life span | Typically one growing season (as an annual), but lives up to three years in frost-free zones |
Leaf Colors | Gray-green to dull green, small, narrow, and slightly hairy |
Flowers | Tiny, 4-petaled blooms forming dense clusters |
Propagation | Primarily by seeds |
Toxicity | Non-toxic to humans, cats, and dogs |
Special Features | Fragnant ground cover and a partner plant |
Fun fact: The name "Alyssum" comes from Greek: a (without) and lyssa (rage/madness), as it was once believed to cure rabies. Unfortunately, it can't actually help against the dangerous ailment.
The common, the “normal” Alyssium is a White Alyssum. Fragrant, gentle, simple. But like with many ornamental plants, it comes in many other colours: yellow alyssum, blue, red, and more. The two most popular cultivars are the Carpet of Snow and the Royal Carpet.
All of these varieties have a high collective value, and they’re worth a lot.
This variety features masses of tiny pure white blooms, resembling the look of a snowy white carpet. The blooms are very dense and fragrant.
Surprisingly, there is more snow connection. Carpet of Snow Alyssum deals better with cold, and Sweet Alyssum seeds can survive in a cold place for about 3 years before germination takes place.
The Carpet of Snow grows 4–6 inches tall, spreading 10–12 inches.
What is the colour of the royals: kings and emperors? Purple. This royal variety has violet-purple blooms, fragrant and nectar-rich.
Purple Alyssum is more compact than the “Snow” variety, 3–4 inches tall, spreading 8–10 inches.
Royal Carpet Alyssum is great for containers, rock gardens, and borders where the vibrant purple flowers can stand out against whites and greens.
Warning: Some Royal Carpets are considered invasive in warmer regions like California.
Despite its gentle name, Alyssium is quite a hardy flower, and can deal with lower temperatures and inconsistent sun rays well. Let’s see what exactly this plant needs. If you do everything right, it will bloom better than ever.
The full sun is best for maximum blooms. As these plants are used for cover (like Ground Elder), the sun on the way to them gets “intercepted” by other, tall species. Alyssum tolerates partial shade, especially in hot climates.
Depending on the temperature, the flower has different life spans. It prefers cooler weather, but at the same time lives only a year in these colder regions.
Warmer regions, on the other hand, prolong their lifespan up to 3 years.
Alyssum is hardy in USDA zones 5–9 as an annual, 9–11 as a tender perennial.
Watering Needs
How often should you water your plants? For these flowers, moderately. The soil should be evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once a week, watering sessions should be enough.
The flower turns drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering keeps blooms fuller.
Some gardeners note that Alyssum in pots needs more frequent watering than the outdoor ones. Roots have less space to spread out and find extra moisture in the confines of a pot.
Well-drained, moderately fertile soil is an excellent pick. Sturdy flowers can tolerate poor soil but do best with a little organic matter.
Avoid soggy conditions! For example, loamy soil often leads to overwatering, and it’s a bad pick for most drought-tolerant plants like Alyssum or a Cactus.
Alyssum is a light feeder: a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4–6 weeks in garden beds is all it needs. Avoid nitrogen solutions. Nitrogen works excellently for foliage plants, but it usually stunts the flower formation.
Container Alyssum benefits from more frequent feeding.
Just like you can assemble a bouquet, you can assemble various flowers in your garden or your backyard. Sometimes these “teams” are made for ornamental purposes only. Sometimes, for functionality too, as some trees protect shade-loving shrubs from the sun, and some shrubs increase moisture for their neighbors, etc.
Sweet Alyssum makes an excellent companion plant because it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while being compact and non-invasive.
Functional companions:
Tomatoes: Alyssum attracts hoverflies, which prey on aphids that often attack tomatoes.
Carrots: Helps deter carrot rust flies and brings in beneficial wasps.
Cabbage family crops (broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower): Attract predators for pests like aphids and caterpillars. As a side note, Alyssum is related to cabbage.
Beauty companions:
Petunias: Both trail nicely in containers, and Alyssum ground cover properties help them fill in spaces with fragrance.
Geraniums: Bold colors pair beautifully with Alyssum’s soft carpet. Alyssum's white flowers help colorful Geraniums stand out
Other Alyssums: There are many other related flowers. For example, Alyssum Maritimum white color works well to complement both Royal Carpet and Snow Carpet.
So, would you like to have Alyssum in pots? In your backyard? We will help you with this little guide.
Of course, before you begin, you need seeds. It’s easy to find them, as the flower is popular. You will likely find it in your local stores.
1. Choose the Right Spot
Spot with the Full sun is best (6+ hours), though it tolerates partial shade, especially in hot climates.
For pots, buy well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Avoid waterlogged areas if you’re planning to put Sweet Alyssum flowers outdoors.
2. Prepare the Soil
Loosen soil to a depth of about 6 inches.
Mix in compost for fertility and drainage.
3. Planting from Seed
In cold regions, seeds are planted in summer. In warmer regions, you can start in spring.
Seeds need light to germinate, so don’t smother them in the soil. Just press gently into the soil surface.
Water the Alyssum seedlings gently when the soil gets dry.
Germination takes 7–14 days.
As side tips, remember to remove deadhead spent flowers. It extends blooming, as new blooms appear in their place. Alyssum often self-seeds, so next year you likely won’t need to repeat the process.
People say that beauty can kill, as many pretty flowers and shrubs are poisonous. Fortunately, Alyssum is beautiful and perfectly safe for planting in family gardens, even where children or animals play.
Moreover, it’s edible! People commonly don’t eat this flowering shrub, but sometimes put the blooms in salads. The sweet taste of blooms creates a delicious contrast. Stems and leaves are edible too, but consumed less often.
Benefit Category | Details |
Aesthetic & Landscaping | Creates a soft carpet of blooms. Alyssum borders are a popular landscaping technique, and the flower is also great for edging, rock gardens, containers, and filling gaps between taller plants. |
Pollinator Support | Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Provides nectar in spring and fall when few flowers are available. |
Natural Pest Control | Draws beneficial insects (hoverflies, lacewings, parasitic wasps) that prey on aphids, caterpillars, and other pests. |
Ground Cover | Suppresses weeds, conserves soil moisture, and helps prevent soil erosion. |
Edibility | Flowers are non-toxic and edible, used as garnishes in salads, desserts, and teas; safe for children and pets. |
Low Maintenance | Drought-tolerant once established, and thrives in most soils. Helps save your time and resources. |
Fragrance | Produces a sweet, honey-like scent that enhances gardens and outdoor spaces. |
Alyssum is not the only flower you likely have at home or in your garden. Would you like to learn more about them? One app can help you with that.
AI Plant Finder is a free plant and flower identification app. It helps users instantly recognize plant species simply by taking a photograph.
The app uses AI for identification and provides detailed results, such as plant characteristics, growing tips, and care requirements in real time.
Here is a short overview of the core functions:
Plant Identification: Identify flowers, trees, leaves, and more with a photo.
Disease Diagnosis: Detect pests, diseases, or poor plant conditions and recommend care.
Useful Tools: Use the built-in calculator and light meter to optimize plant care.
AI Chatbot and Care Blogs: Read personalized guidance on watering, pest control, fertilizing, pruning, and more.
Plant Library: Catalog your plants for easy reference and tracking care instructions.
If any function listed here is to your liking, consider giving his app a try! You won't regret it.
Identify Any Plant, Diagnose Every Disease
Download Our App Now!
Facebook 
X (Twitter) 
Pinterest 
LinkedIn 
