Low-growing flowers are perfect for bordering walkways or filling containers, but it can be hard to find the right one to fit your aesthetics. If you’re looking for something sweet and whimsical, then you might be interested in growing sweet alyssum. This short, cute flower is most commonly found in white but also comes in purple and yellow.
Despite the sweet scent of their flowers, this plant is actually a brassica, making it a cousin of broccoli and cabbage! If you’re curious about this lovely flower, then keep reading. This guide will explain everything you need to know to grow sweet alyssum flowers.
Planting sweet alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a tender perennial, meaning it can grow as a perennial or annual depending on the climate it’s planted in. As an annual, sweet alyssum can grow outdoors in USDA zones 5 through 9. If you want to grow it as a perennial, then your sweet alyssum should only be planted outdoors if you live in USDA zones 9 through 11. You can plant it in a container and then move it indoors when it’s cold season, though. Whether in containers or in your garden, plant your sweet alyssum in well-draining soil.
Sweet alyssum flowers are best when planted in full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. In regions with more intense sunlight, it’s best to give your sweet alyssums morning sun and afternoon shade. This is partly to avoid scorching the leaves, and partly because sweet alyssum does not flower well if the soil is too dry. Shading it during the hottest part of the afternoon helps prevent the water from evaporating too quickly.
Sweet alyssum care
While sweet alyssums are moderately drought-tolerant flowers and can withstand short droughts, they don’t flower as nicely under these conditions. For the best blooms, your sweet alyssum plant should be getting water every week, either from you or from rainfall. The soil should be mostly or entirely dry before watering again to avoid overwatering your plant.
Your sweet alyssum plant may not need any fertilizer if it is planted in moderate or rich soil, but sweet alyssums planted in poor soil or containers should be fertilized during the growing season. A light dose of a balanced fertilizer is typically enough, as these plants are not heavy feeders.
You can encourage your sweet alyssum plant to continue blooming by deadheading it regularly during the blooming season. You can remove the faded flowers by hand or with a pair of sharp, clean shears or scissors. Alternatively, you can leave the flowers in place to let them develop seeds. Sweet alyssum will self-seed, but you can also collect the seeds yourself to plant elsewhere, give away, or trade.
Is sweet alyssum pet safe?
If your pets are prone to nibbling on plants they find interesting, then the sweet scent of this flower might make you concerned. Luckily, you don’t need to worry if the delicious-smelling flowers entice your cat or dog to take a bite. Sweet alyssum is considered nontoxic for pets, including cats, dogs, and even horses. Eating too much may give them a mild upset stomach, but this is only uncomfortable, not dangerous.
Likewise, you don’t need to worry if your child finds the scent too appealing to resist. Sweet alyssum is actually considered edible, and it is sometimes used in salads as a pretty and tasty ingredient. Allergies are always a possibility, but unless your child shows signs of an allergic reaction after eating it, there’s no need to worry.
Is sweet alyssum pest resistant?
Sweet alyssum is generally a pest-resistant plant, yes. Some common garden pests can bother sweet alyssum plants, but the damage tends to be minor or cosmetic rather than severe. Aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs are the most common perpetrators. The reason that damage from these pests tends to be minor is that sweet alyssum is highly attractive to ladybugs, bees, wasps, and other pollinators. Many of these beneficial insects eat garden pests like aphids and mites, protecting both your sweet alyssum and your other plants. In addition to being resistant to insects, sweet alyssum plants are also considered deer and rabbit resistant.
Sweet alyssum is an excellent little flower that might just be the perfect addition to your garden. Whether you’re looking for a flower to grow in a container on your patio or out in your yard, sweet alyssum is a great option. It is generally hardy, easy to grow, and smells incredible. Now that you know how to care for it, you’ll be able to enjoy the results of your effort without worry!
