How To Grow Sweet Alyssum Seeds
Updated on Dec 10, 2021
By Shannon McCabe
Latin name Lobularia maritima is an annual in the brassica, or cabbage, family. A dainty, creeping ornamental flower with fragrant, honey-scented flowers. Looks amazing creeping in rock gardens, along beds and borders or spilling out of containers.
HISTORY
Native to the Macaronesia region, specifically the Canary Islands, Madeira, and Cape Verde. Its natural habitat is sandy beaches and dunes as well as waste sites and open grassy areas.
USES
- Ornamental
- Beds, borders, containers, cottage garden, hanging baskets
- Dwarf varieties are great for tiny pots, rock gardens
- Beneficial insect attractor, pollinator attractor. Visited by bees as well as helpful predatory insects that kill garden pests.
- Beneficial insects that love sweet alyssum: Minute pirate bug, braconid wasps, and more
- Seeds germinate in 14 days.
- Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost and transplant outdoors after last frost, or direct seed after last frost has passed.
- Surface sow seeds and gently press into soil, as seeds require light for germination.
- Ideal germination temperature 65-70 F.
- Prefers full sun to part shade.
- Provide moist soil; plants prefer high pH, alkaline soil.
- Plant spacing will range depending on variety. There are creeping types and extra dwarf types; in general, most varieties should be spaced 6 inches apart.
PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Susceptible to leafhopper and white fly. Treat with organic insecticidal soap.
Saving sweet alyssum seeds is very easy!
- A member of the mustard family, the seeds will be produced in small pods after flowers fade.
- Allow pods to turn brown and carefully hand pick seeds.
- Some choose to harvest when pods are slightly damp in order to avoid shattering the pods.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place.
