About Alyssum
Lobularia maritima might sound fancy, but this resilient annual belongs to the cabbage family—yes, the same family that gave us coleslaw! Once fully grown, Alyssum puts on a show with delicate blooms that spill over pots, line your garden edges, or create a stunning blanket of color as groundcover. Plus, it’s a pro at suppressing weeds, so it’s like having a personal bodyguard for your garden!
Alyssum doesn’t just look good; it’s also a natural pest control guru. It keeps those pesky aphids in check while attracting helpful critters like parasitic wasps and syrphid flies. It’s like the garden’s version of a superhero team-up!
When to Plant Alyssum Seeds
Get those seeds in the ground outdoors after the last frost has bid adieu! If you’re starting indoors, do it five to six weeks before the final frost, because we all know patience is a virtue (even if we’re all a little impatient).
Where to Plant Alyssum Seeds
Alyssum loves to bask in full sun for 6 to 8 hours a day but can handle a little partial shade too. Think of it as the sun worshipper who can still enjoy a good nap in the shade! It thrives in well-draining, acidic soils and particularly enjoys rocky or sandy spots, making it the perfect plant for slopes and tricky garden environments where other plants just won’t cut it.
How to Plant Alyssum Seeds
Now, let’s talk planting! Alyssum seeds are so tiny, counting them can feel like trying to catch confetti in the wind. Scatter about four to eight seeds on the surface of some seed starting mix and gently press them in—just a smidge deeper than 1/8th of an inch. Keep them in the sunlight; they’re like little sunbathers that need to soak up those rays to germinate. Give them a gentle mist to keep them happy—no drowning allowed!
If you’re starting indoors, use a tray with a humidity dome and place it in a sunny spot. If the weather’s being moody, grow lights or a heat mat will do the trick. Keep it cozy between 55°F and 70°F. Once your seedlings pop up, remove the cover and thin them out to one every six inches. Before transplanting them outside, make sure they’re all toughened up from hardening off.
How to Care for Alyssum
Alyssum is a low-maintenance superstar, perfect for xeriscaping! Water sparingly but deeply—let those roots dry out between sips, especially in the shade. Don’t drown them, or you might have a case of root rot! Adjust your watering routine during hot summers, but don’t spoil them too much. A little light pruning and deadheading will keep the blooms coming. And even though they’re technically annuals, Alyssum loves to reseed itself, so expect a returning cast of colorful characters each year!