“Every year I try planting alyssum and within 48 hours of planting its dead? I’ve tried many different things but can’t seem to get it to work at this house. I’ve grown it in other beds and borders just not working here … any thoughts?” Question from Kyla of Oakbank, Manitoba, Canada
Answer: Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a common bedding plant that originates as a seaside plant from the coasts of the Mediterranean and Europe. It can withstand the cool temperatures of spring as well as the heat and drought of summer, but there are several things that are certain to kill it early in the season. Here are the top four possibilities.
Below-freezing temperatures – Spring-purchased alyssum plants have been greenhouse-grown and are more tender than average and sensitive to temperatures near or below freezing. Once well-established and growing, they can take light frost.
Poor drainage – Maritime plants like alyssum are adapted to very sharply drained soils. They will grow well in organic-rich soils if they are porous and have very good drainage. Pot-grown specimens require a mix with good drainage, such as Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix. The containers also need to drain well through holes at the bottom.
Cold, wet weather – Cold, wet weather can induce fungal disease and subsequent root and crown rot.
Poor Irrigation before establishment – Newly planted annuals need even moisture and good care while they are becoming established. If they are not properly watered from the start, they can dry out and die quickly. Those planted as small plugs are especially susceptible to drying because they have tiny root systems.
If your plants are subjected to one or more of these stresses shortly after planting, death can occur. But, below-freezing cold is the fastest killer. I hope that these tips help!
Plants are the lens Jessie views the world through because they’re all-sustaining. (“They feed, clothe, house and heal us. They produce the air we breathe and even make us smell pretty.”) She’s a garden writer and photographer with degrees in both horticulture and plant biology from Purdue and Michigan State Universities. Her degrees were bolstered by internships at Longwood Gardens and the American Horticultural Society. She has since worked for many horticultural institutions and companies and now manages communications for Sun Gro Horticulture, the parent company of Black Gold. Her joy is sharing all things green and lovely with her two daughters.
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Cold, wet weather – Cold, wet weather can induce fungal disease and subsequent root and crown rot. Poor Irrigation before establishment – Newly planted annuals need even moisture and good care while they are becoming established. If they are not properly watered from the start, they can dry out and die quickly.
Over-watering and under-watering are the frenemies of Sweet Alyssum. Stick to a watering schedule that's just right, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Think of it as the Goldilocks zone for hydration.
Sweet alyssum is resilient and should bounce back quickly with adequate moisture. If not, consider if other factors like drainage or disease might be at play. Remember, overwatering is just as dangerous as underwatering. If the soil feels soggy or you see standing water, you've gone too far.
Diseases caused by Fungi: Root rot and wilt, Rhizoctonia solani. The above-ground symptoms of this are nonspecific and include a general yellowing, wilting, and collapse of the foliage and the entire plant.
Make sure your sweet alyssum gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Water sweet alyssum sparingly. Give the plants one inch of water per week and make sure the soil dries out completely between waterings. Soggy soil will contribute to root rot or leaf blight.
Alyssum is frequently used as a filler in containers or to cascade down the planters edge. This prostrate annual grows well in full sun in cool climates but may do better in partial shade in hot climates. It needs average, well-drained soil with medium moisture.
Excessive heat can lead to wilting. If your Sweet Alyssum is looking a bit droopy during a heatwave, don't panic—it's not a goner. A trim, some water, and a bit of fertilizer can coax it back to life. Frost tolerance is somewhat of a superpower for Sweet Alyssum, but only once it's established.
Alyssum is not fussy about the soil it is growing in, as long as the pH is near 7.0 or neutral. Feed annual Alyssum with a diluted liquid fertilizer during a regular watering session every 2-3 weeks. This schedule will support growth and blooming of plants either growing in the garden or containers all summer.
Overwatering and underwatering can both lead to the dreaded yellow leaf syndrome in Sweet Alyssum. Roots need to breathe, and too much water pushes out vital oxygen. Conversely, a parched plant can't sustain its verdant hues. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist, not soggy or bone-dry.
Sweet alyssum loves full sun, but it does not like prolonged dry periods. If your region is sweltering and dry, an area with afternoon shade will work best for this plant.
The flowers on the plant are small but strikingly beautiful and usually grow in shades of lavender, pink and white. They are also widely recognized for carrying a light, refreshing honey scent. Sweet alyssum flowers typically grow in the summer, and the plant continues to flower until the middle of fall.
Companions: Alyssum is a valuable addition to the vegetable garden and an excellent companion plant for broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, eggplant, and lettuce.
Cold, wet weather – Cold, wet weather can induce fungal disease and subsequent root and crown rot. Poor Irrigation before establishment – Newly planted annuals need even moisture and good care while they are becoming established. If they are not properly watered from the start, they can dry out and die quickly.
To coax your Sweet Alyssum into a fuller form, a more drastic approach might be needed. Shear back the top growth by half. This might seem harsh, but it's like a pep talk with scissors: it encourages a fresh flush of growth and flowers.
Spider mites are the bane of Sweet Alyssum, spinning their fine webs and wreaking havoc on your plants. Let's dive into how you can send these pests packing.
Where to grow alyssum. As long as the ground is free-draining and doesn't remain damp, alyssum will grow in any reasonable garden soil. Full sun gives the best flowers although light shade still gives good results. Grow at border edges, in pots and window boxes, on banks, rockeries, or at the edges of vegetable beds.
Excessive heat can lead to wilting. If your Sweet Alyssum is looking a bit droopy during a heatwave, don't panic—it's not a goner. A trim, some water, and a bit of fertilizer can coax it back to life. Frost tolerance is somewhat of a superpower for Sweet Alyssum, but only once it's established.
Alyssum maritima) is an annual and does not regrow each year from the root the way a perennial plant would, it does set seed at the end of the season, and new plants can grow from the seeds if they germinate successfully the following spring.
Alyssum simplex is not a glutton; it prefers its meals balanced and timely. For annual varieties, a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks will keep the blooms coming. Perennials, on the other hand, will thank you for a granular, slow-release fertilizer every three months, as long as the temperature stays above 50°F.
Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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