Sweet Alyssum plant is a herbaceous plant in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) which is commonly used as a bedding plant. The plant is widely available in market packs at nurseries and garden centers in the spring. The common name refers to the genus in which it was formerly classified.
Sweet Alyssum is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa but has been introduced to many other parts of the world as an ornamental plant. It is often grown as a groundcover or used in rockeries and hanging baskets.
Essentials
Soil composition and ph levels for Sweet Alyssum plants
Sweet Alyssum plants flourish in various types of soil and they do best in well-drained, nitrogen-rich soils with a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0. They also did best when they were watered regularly and given full sun to partial shade. Soil that was too sandy or too heavy (clay) caused the plant’s roots to become damaged and stunted the plant’s growth.
Soil that was too alkaline or too acidic also prevents the plant from growing properly. Amendments should be made to the soil to improve drainage and increase the nutrient content, but it is best to start with soil that is already rich in nutrients and has good drainage. Sweet Alyssum also requires little maintenance once they were established, making them an ideal plant for gardeners who do not want to spend a lot of time caring for their plants.
Watering Sweet Alyssum plants
Watering your sweet alyssum plant is vital to its health and growth. Water deeply and thoroughly, giving the plant time to absorb the water. Water in the morning so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. Avoid wetting the leaves, as this can encourage fungal growth. Water at the base of the plant, using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system if possible.
During hot weather, you may need to water twice a day to keep the plant from wilting. If the leaves begin to turn yellow, this is a sign of overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Brown or dead leaves are a sign of drought stress. Water immediately and continue to water regularly until the plant recovers.
Are Sweet Alyssums flowering plants?
One of the best things about Sweet Alyssum is the smell of its flowers. The sweet smell of warm honey during the cool months of the year lets the world know that the Sweet Alyssum plant is near and in flower. Use this perennial as a bedding plant, edging, containers and hanging baskets.
An old-time favorite with its incredibly long blooming season extending from late spring to frost, Sweet Alyssum is extremely fragrant and exists in white, purple or pink and apricot colors.
Do Sweet Alyssum plants produce fruit?
No, the Sweet Alyssum plant does not produce fruits. Sweet Alyssum is a flowering plant in the genus Lobularia. The species name, Maritima, refers to its common occurrence as a weed in maritime habitats, such as beaches and coastal roadsides. Sweet Alyssum is an annual or biennial herb that grows between 10-30 cm in height.
The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are linear to oblong in shape with toothed margins. The flowers are white or pale pink in color and borne in terminal clusters. The fruit is a small, dry capsule containing tiny seeds.
Propagation of Sweet Alyssum plants
Propagation of the Sweet Alyssum plant is done via seed. It is best to start the seeds indoors, in a sterile soilless medium, 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Sow the seeds thinly, and press them gently into the surface of the soil. Water lightly, and keep the soil moist but not wet. The seeds should germinate within 10-14 days.
Once they have germinated, thin the seedlings so that they are spaced 4-6 inches apart. Transplant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Propagate Sweet Alyssum via cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. Use a sharp knife or garden shears to take 4-6 inch cuttings from the tips of new stems. Strip off the lower leaves, and dip the cuttings in rooting hormone powder.
Plant the cuttings in a sterile soilless medium, and water lightly. Keep the soil moist but not wet, and provide bottom heat, if possible. The cuttings should root within 4-6 weeks. Propagate Sweet Alyssum by division in early spring. Dig up the entire plant, and divide it into several sections with a sharp knife or garden shears.
Replant each section immediately, at the same depth as it was originally growing. Water well, and mulch lightly to help retain moisture. Propagate Sweet Alyssum by layering in spring or summer. Choose a low-growing stem, and bend it down to touch the ground. Pin it in place with a U-shaped staple or small stone.
Cover the layering with an inch or two of soil, and water adequately. The layering should root within 6-8 weeks. At that point, you can sever it from the parent plant and transplant it elsewhere. Propagate Sweet Alyssum by stem cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer
How fast do Sweet Alyssum plants grow?
The Sweet Alyssum plants take about nine to 10 weeks to flower from the time you sow the seeds. Don’t be alarmed if plants go dormant in the heat of summer. Thin your plants so they’re about six inches (15 cm apart) because they do really spread! They may not look like much as seedlings, but sweet alyssum plants can really spread fast!
Benefits of Sweet Alyssum plants
Sweet alyssum flowers attract beneficial insects which then move on to other plants in the vicinity. Having sweet alyssum as a food source could help to enlarge beneficial insect populations, providing more opportunities for these beneficial insects to attack pests. A classic example is aphid management using ladybugs.
Not only is it known as a highly ornamental plant, but this plant also has traditional medicinal applications and culinary uses. The plant is commonly used in Spain as an antiscorbutic and diuretic. It is also highly esteemed there as an astringent in the treatment of gonorrhoea.
Growing Sweet Alyssum plants as co-plants with other plants
Another example already in use on some farms is its ability to partner with lettuce plants. The tiny flowers of sweet alyssum attract tiny parasitic wasps that use the aphids feasting on the lettuce to house and feed their developing young, leading to a dramatic reduction in aphid numbers.
| Sweet Allysium | |
| Water | Water sparingly, about one inch of water per week, ensure the soil dries out completely before watering. |
| Soil ph | 6.0-7.0 |
| Sunlight hours | Plant does best in full sun; it can also survice partial shade; ensure at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. |
| Pests and Diseases | Plant is prone to diseases caused by fungi; root rot and wilt, downy mildew, aster leafhopper, etc. |
| Temperature | Hardy to USDA zones 5 through 9 and tolerate cold temperature of 20 deg F. |
| Soil composition | Prefers free draining, loamy soil; tolerant of dry soil and hot weather; it is adaptable. |
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