Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is one of the easiest annuals to grow, a mat-forming charmer that produces spreading mounds of delicate, sweetly fragrant flowers from spring through early summer. Hardy in zones 5-9, it reaches just 3-9 inches tall and spreads 6-12 inches wide, making it small enough for containers yet prolific enough to blanket borders. The tiny, 4-petaled flowers bloom so densely they often hide the fine, gray-green foliage entirely. It tolerates drought and poor soils with ease, attracts pollinators, and resists deer; you'll have flowers within 50-60 days from seed.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-9
9in H x 12in W
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Moderate
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Dense clusters of sweetly fragrant flowers bloom so profusely they completely obscure the foliage underneath. The plant's gray-green, lance-shaped leaves form a low, spreading mound that looks beautiful even before flowers arrive. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, handles drought and dry soils without complaint, and produces edible flowers that attract butterflies and birds. Most gardeners find it nearly impossible to kill, whether grown from seed or transplants.
Sweet alyssum thrives in hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers where its spreading habit and cascading flowers create visual impact. It works beautifully as an edging plant along borders and beds, tucked into rock gardens, and as a groundcover in small spaces. The edible flowers can be harvested once open and used as a garnish or to add delicate fragrance to salads. Beyond its aesthetic role, it serves as an excellent beneficial plant that attracts pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden.
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Sow seed indoors 5-6 weeks before your last frost date in flats or cell packs. Do not cover seeds, as they require light to germinate. Keep soil moist and maintain temperatures of 70-85°F. Once seedlings have their first true leaves, thin or transplant to individual cells. Harden off seedlings by growing them at 50-55°F night temperatures before moving them outdoors.
Set seedlings or purchased plants out just before your last frost date. Space plants 6 inches apart in their final location. In warmer climates (zones 10-11 where sweet alyssum is perennial), you can transplant year-round as long as soil is workable.
Sow seeds directly in the ground several weeks before your last frost date, or as soon as soil can be worked. In warmer climates, sow midsummer to late winter for blooms lasting until June. Press seed lightly into the surface without covering, since seeds need light to germinate. Thin seedlings when they develop their first true leaves.
Harvest edible flowers once they are fully open. Pick them in the morning after dew dries but before heat of the day for the best flavor and fragrance.
Shear plantings back after their first bloom flush to encourage branching and continuous flowering throughout the season.
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“Sweet alyssum originates from the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, where Lobularia as a genus evolved as low-growing coastal plants adapted to poor, sandy soils. The species has been in cultivation for centuries, valued by European gardeners for its fragrance and ease of growth. More recently, plant breeders have expanded the range dramatically: some modern cultivars, like the vigorous 'Snow Princess' hybrid discovered in 2006 from controlled greenhouse crosses in La Palma, Canary Islands, represent the next generation of this beloved annual. The plant's resilience and prolific nature have made it a staple of seed catalogs and nurseries worldwide.”