Photo: Eleftherios KatsillisCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Sweet Alyssum Plant Care
Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lobularia maritima is a species of low-growing flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. Its common name is sweet alyssum or sweet Alison, also commonly referred to as just alyssum.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Sweet Alyssum?
Plant Sweet Alyssum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Sweet Alyssum Native To?
What Is the Sweet Alyssum?
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Lobularia genus. Sweet Alyssum is native to Mediterranean region, Canary Islands. Sweet Alyssum is also known as Sweet Alison, Lobularia.
Sweet Alyssum displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Sweet Alyssum produces small, fragrant clusters in white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sweet Alyssum?
Water a young or newly planted Sweet Alyssum every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Sweet Alyssum Need?
Sweet Alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sweet Alyssum Prefer?
Lobularia maritima tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Sweet Alyssum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sweet Alyssum?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Sweet Alyssum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sweet Alyssum?
Feed Sweet 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 Sweet Alyssum?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Sweet Alyssum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Sweet Alyssum?
Sweet 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 Sweet Alyssum?
Prune Sweet 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 Sweet Alyssum in Winter?
Sweet Alyssum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Sweet Alyssum?
Sweet Alyssum can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Sweet Alyssum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sweet 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 Sweet Alyssum?
Sweet Alyssum is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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 Sweet Alyssum Need?
Sweet Alyssum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sweet Alyssum is native to Mediterranean region, Canary Islands. In cooler regions, grow Sweet Alyssum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Sweet 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 Lobularia genus — compare its care with other Lobularia species on PlantoScan.
Lobularia is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Sweet 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: Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., family Brassicaceae (first published in J. Bot. Agric. 3: 169 (1815)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sweet 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: Eleftherios Katsillis, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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