Alyssum Flowers

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is one of the most charming cool-season annuals you can grow. It stays low and spreads into a soft, mounding cushion that smothers itself in tiny, four-petalled flower clusters in white, violet and pink. The standout trait is the sweet, honey-like fragrance that drifts on the breeze and draws bees and butterflies. Each plant spreads wider than it is tall, making it ideal for edging paths, filling border fronts, and spilling gracefully over the rim of pots and window boxes.

Planting

Alyssum seeds need light to germinate, so surface-sow them: press them gently onto moist soil and leave them uncovered, or barely cover with about 1.5-3 mm of fine soil. They sprout in roughly 8-10 days at a soil temperature of 18-21°C. For transplants, sow indoors about 4-5 weeks before planting out, then thin or set seedlings 15-20 cm apart. In Egypt sow in autumn to early winter (October-December) for blooms from around January through April-May.

Fertilizing

Keep feeding light. Sweet alyssum thrives in only lightly to moderately fertile soil, and overly rich ground pushes leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Avoid heavy fertilizing so the plant pours its energy into those scented blooms.

Care

Grow in full sun (6+ hours) with average, well-drained soil kept evenly moist; in hot weather water more often and offer light afternoon shade. Excellent drainage is essential to prevent stem and crown rot, so never let it sit waterlogged. Watch for aphids, slugs, flea beetles, leafhoppers and whitefly. Once nights cool, shear the plants back by about half to trigger fresh, compact regrowth and a new flush of flowers.