How to Grow and Care for Sweet alyssum

Sweet alyssum, also known as Sweet alison, Sea-side madwort, Alyssum

Sweet alyssum's basic care needs include full to partial sun exposure and well-draining soil. A special care point is that sweet alyssum thrives with regular watering but is drought-tolerant once established. Deadheading can encourage continuous blooming. Overall, sweet alyssum is an easy-care plant that is suitable for beginners.

Watering schedule: Twice per week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Sweet alyssum

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Annual, Perennial, Biennial
Watering Schedule	Twice per week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring
Hardiness Zones	5-9

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Varieties of Sweet alyssum

Sweet alyssum 'Snowdrift'

Sweet alyssum 'Snowdrift' is well-known for white flower blooms that cover the ground, giving it a snowy appearance. This hardy plant can withstand extreme weather conditions and will return each year. Most gardeners use this plant as a ground cover in flower beds or to attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Sweet alyssum 'Rosie O'Day'

The sweet alyssum 'Rosie O'Day' variety of Sweet alyssum is an award-winning variety that was introduced in 1961. A sweet smelling variety of alyssum, it is a low-maintenance and hardy flower. Gardeners frequently use it when they want to create attractive edging.

Sweet alyssum 'Snow Crystals'

The tiny, delicate flowers of sweet alyssum 'Snow Crystals' have abundant white flowers that look just like snow crystals. This flower blooms for much longer than the parent plant does in the wild, providing rich floration from late spring all the way through to the first winter frosts. This long period of interest makes this low-growing plant an excellent choice for ground cover.

Common Pests & Diseases

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More General Info About Sweet alyssum

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Sweet alyssum typically exhibits a compact, mounded growth habit with a height of 3-9 inches (7.6-22.9 cm) and a spread of up to 12 inches (30.5 cm). This hardy annual is distinguished by its small, ovate to lanceolate leaves that are densely packed along stems. It bursts into profusion with clusters of tiny, four-petaled flowers that range in color from white to pink to purple, emitting a delicate, sweet fragrance. The flowers are honeycombed and attract a variety of pollinators.