Ornamental Annual
Snow Crystals Alyssum is a compact, mounding annual flower that transforms small spaces into fragrant clouds of pure white blooms. This non-GMO, open-pollinated cultivar of Lobularia maritima thrives across hardiness zones 3-11 and reaches just 6-9 inches tall, making it ideal for edging, containers, and window boxes. The flowers emerge in striking alpine white and carry an authentic summertime fragrance that fills the air around your garden. From seed to blooming plant takes just 50-77 days depending on conditions, rewarding gardeners with quick, cheerful results.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
9in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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What sets Snow Crystals apart is its ability to perform across a genuinely wide range of climates and soil conditions, thriving in cool summers and temperate regions with equal ease. The vivid alpine white flowers pack surprising visual impact from such a compact plant, and the fragrance is the real draw, the kind of genuine, summertime scent that makes you want to brush your hand through the mound just to release it. Its convenient, compact habit makes it equally at home in traditional garden beds, hanging baskets, or indoor planters where it can accent a room with authentic garden aroma.
Snow Crystals Alyssum is grown as a decorative bedding plant and container specimen, valued primarily for its mounding form and fragrant white flowers. The compact habit makes it especially useful for edging borders, softening pathways, and spilling over the sides of window boxes and hanging baskets. It's also well-suited to indoor cultivation in planters, where gardeners can enjoy both the visual appeal and the distinctive fragrance year-round.
Start seeds indoors in flats or seed trays under grow lights or in a bright window. Maintain soil temperatures around 60-70°F for germination. Sow seeds shallowly, pressing them lightly into the soil surface. Seedlings typically emerge in 7-14 days. Begin hardening off transplants 7-10 days before moving them outdoors, gradually exposing them to wind and direct sun.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Space plants 6 inches apart. Alyssum seedlings establish quickly and can tolerate light frosts, so they're safe to plant once night temperatures are consistently mild. Water gently after transplanting to settle soil around roots.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date and soil has warmed slightly. Press seeds lightly into prepared soil, keep moist until germination, which typically occurs in 7-14 days. Thin seedlings to 6-inch spacing once they have their first true leaves.
Pinch back young plants when they reach 3-4 inches tall to encourage bushier, more mounded growth with more flowering stems. Deadhead faded flowers regularly throughout the season to maintain compact form and promote continuous blooming. Light shearing after the first flush of flowers can rejuvenate plants and trigger a second wave of blooms.
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