Leucade Yellow Alyssum (Aurinia leucadea)

Photo: Slaven KljucaninCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Leucade Yellow Alyssum Plant Care

Aurinia leucadea (Guss.) K.Koch

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With its striking silver-gray foliage, Aurinia leucadea originates from the Mediterranean region. This plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique coloration and ability to thrive in sunny, dry conditions.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Plant Leucade Yellow Alyssum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–10b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Leucade Yellow Alyssum (Aurinia leucadea) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Aurinia genus. Leucade Yellow Alyssum is native to Europe, Western Asia.

Leucade Yellow Alyssum displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Leucade Yellow Alyssum produces small, bright yellow flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Water a young or newly planted Leucade Yellow Alyssum every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Leucade Yellow Alyssum Need?

Leucade Yellow Alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Leucade Yellow Alyssum Prefer?

Aurinia leucadea tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Leucade Yellow Alyssum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for optimal growth. Good drainage is essential for Leucade Yellow Alyssum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Feed Leucade Yellow Alyssum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for optimal growth. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Leucade Yellow Alyssum is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Leucade Yellow Alyssum can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Prune Leucade Yellow Alyssum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Leucade Yellow Alyssum in Winter?

Leucade Yellow Alyssum is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Leucade Yellow Alyssum can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden alyssum plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Leucade Yellow Alyssum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Leucade Yellow Alyssum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Leucade Yellow Alyssum?

Leucade Yellow Alyssum is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Leucade Yellow Alyssum Need?

Leucade Yellow Alyssum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Leucade Yellow Alyssum is native to Europe, Western Asia.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a – 10b

Keep exploring plants

Leucade Yellow Alyssum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Aurinia genus — compare its care with other Aurinia species on PlantoScan.

Aurinia is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.

Leucade Yellow Alyssum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Aurinia leucadea (Guss.) K.Koch, family Brassicaceae (first published in Hort. Dendrol. : 23 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Leucade Yellow Alyssum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Slaven Kljucanin, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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