How to Grow Alyssum Flowers

Growing Alyssum Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Growing Alyssum plants is easy. Delicate and tender annual Alyssum flowers are usually used as a border or edging plant. And, they also look good growing in the nooks and crannies of a rock garden. Plant alyssum seeds in a window box. They are good candidates for container gardens, too. More on Rock Gardens.

Alyssum are small plants, growing just three to nine inches tall, depending upon variety. Dainty Alyssum plants have a profusion of flowers, with white being the most popular.

Flower colors include: pink, violet, purple, and lavender.

Most Popular Varieties: Carpet of Snow, Mountain Gold

Plant height: 3″ – 9″

Flowers Bloom: Spring to early summer

Annual, Cruciferae

Alyssum Plant Propagation

Alyssum is grown from seed. Sow Alyssum seeds directly into your flower garden. You can also start seeds indoors for transplanting later. If planting outdoors, sow Alyssum seeds after the soil has begun to warm in the spring. Alyssum does not like frost, so if started indoors, transplant them outdoors after the last frost date.

Space plants eight to ten inches apart.

Sow seeds early in the season and cover lightly with soil. Water thoroughly once. Alyssum will begin to produce a continuous profusion of sweet-smelling flowers by mid-summer.

Days to Germination: 5 -15

How to Grow Alyssum Flower Plants

Growing Alyssum is easy.

Alyssum plants grow best in full to partial sun.

The plants will do well in average soils and tolerate dry soil conditions. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Soil should drain well. Add a general-purpose fertilizer once a month.

Weed around the plants until they are well established. A light layer of mulch will help to keep the weeds down and helps to retain soil moisture.

Once your Alyssum are established, they will grow well until the first frost. Alyssum are tender annuals and highly susceptible to frost.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.

Also, See:

Plant Problems – causes and cures

Insects and Plant Disease

Alyssum flowers are somewhat resistant to insects and disease. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.