Sweet Alyssum plant profile
Lobularia maritima
An annual flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Sweet Alyssum
Start seeds indoors
6 weeks before your last spring frost to 5 weeks before your last spring frost
Transplant outdoors
1 week before your last spring frost to at your last spring frost
Direct sow
4 weeks before your last spring frost to 2 weeks before your last spring frost
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Annual
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: stem rot, crown rot, edema.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Lobularia maritima (Alyssum, Sweet Alyssum)
NC State Extension (North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox). Supports indoor seed-starting timing (direct), outdoor transplant timing (normalized), and direct-sowing timing (normalized). Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Alyssum (Alyssum species) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.