How far apart should I plant Sweet Alyssum?

Plant Sweet Alyssum 20cm apart with nullcm between rows.

When does Sweet Alyssum flower?

Sweet Alyssum typically flowers approximately 30 days after transplanting.

Is Sweet Alyssum frost hardy?

Sweet Alyssum is classified as Hardy.

How to Grow Sweet Alyssum

Lobularia maritima

Hardy Warm Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 10°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks earlier for a head start.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds

Germination ~7d

Flowering ~56d

Sow seeds

Germination ~7d

Flowering ~56d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

Light feeding only. A single application of balanced fertilizer at planting time is sufficient. Too much feed produces foliage at the expense of flowers.
Sweet alyssum is one of the easiest annuals to grow from seed. It is honey-scented, attracts hoverflies and other beneficial insects, and makes a superb edging plant or gap-filler. It self-seeds freely in mild areas, returning year after year without replanting. Sow direct from March onwards or start indoors earlier. It tolerates poor soil and light frost, making it one of the first and last annuals to flower.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing	20 cm
Row spacing	null cm
Mature height	15 cm
Mature spread	30 cm

Space 15-25 cm apart. They spread quickly and knit together to form a fragrant carpet. Excellent for edging and filling gaps.

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Care Guide

Feeding: Light feeding only. A single application of balanced fertilizer at planting time is sufficient. Too much feed produces foliage at the expense of flowers.
Watch for: Flea beetle (tiny holes in leaves)
Downy mildew in wet conditions
Self-seeding into unwanted areas

Pests & Diseases

Pest Flea Beetle

Identification: Tiny round holes in leaves, as if peppered with shot. Small shiny black beetles that jump when disturbed.

Organic treatment:

Water well to keep plants growing strongly through damage
Cover young plants with fleece until established

Chemical treatment:

Rarely needed — healthy plants outgrow the damage

Pest Slugs and Snails

Identification: Seedlings eaten to ground level; slime trails

Organic treatment:

Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets around seedlings

Chemical treatment:

Ferric phosphate-based pellets

Disease Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves with greyish-white fuzzy growth on undersides. Plants may become stunted.

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants. Improve air circulation.

Prevention: Avoid overcrowding. Water at soil level. Ensure good drainage.

Disease White Rust (White Blister) Albugo candida

Symptoms: White, shiny, blister-like pustules on leaf undersides. Upper leaf surface may show yellow spots.

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Improve air circulation.

Prevention: Avoid overhead watering. Space plants well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Sweet Alyssum?: Plant Sweet Alyssum 20cm apart with nullcm between rows.
When does Sweet Alyssum flower?: Sweet Alyssum typically flowers approximately 30 days after transplanting.
Is Sweet Alyssum frost hardy?: Sweet Alyssum is classified as Hardy.

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