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Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess

Lobularia maritima 'Snow Princess'

This award-winning sweet alyssum produces clouds of tiny white flowers with an intoxicating honey-like fragrance that attracts beneficial insects. Exceptionally heat tolerant and long-blooming, it forms a dense carpet perfect for edging, rock gardens, or spilling from containers. Unlike older varieties, Snow Princess continues blooming through summer heat without the need for cutting back.

Harvest

N/Ad

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3-10 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-drained, average to poor soil

pH6.0-7.5

WaterModerate, keep consistently moist but not waterlogged

SeasonCool season annual, heat tolerant

FlavorFlowers have sweet, honey-like taste

ColorPure white

Size1/4 inch individual flowers in dense clusters

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Fairy Gardens Cabarrus County Poolside Garden. Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Cream-colored oval seed pods with 1 yellowish seed each. The fruits are numerous, rather hairy, oval to rounded.

Color: Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow. Type: Capsule.

Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess flowers are best used immediately after harvest for maximum flavor and fragrance. For short-term storage, place cut stems in cool water and refrigerate for up to 3 days, though fragrance diminishes quickly.

To preserve the flowers, dry them using the air-drying method: hang small bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area for 7-10 days. Dried flowers retain much of their honey fragrance and work well in potpourri or herbal tea blends.

For culinary preservation, freeze individual flowers in ice cube trays with water to create decorative ice cubes for beverages. The flowers can also be pressed between parchment paper and stored in airtight containers for crafting projects. Alternatively, infuse fresh flowers in honey or simple syrup within 24 hours of harvest to capture their distinctive sweet flavor for later culinary use.

History & Origin

Origin: Southern Europe, west and central Mediterranean.

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Drought, Dry Soil
+Attracts: Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Predatory Insects, Songbirds
+Wildlife value: Beetles, butterflies, and skippers feed off the plant.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Petunias

Both attract pollinators and create attractive color combinations

Lobelia

Similar growing conditions and complementary blue flowers create beautiful contrast

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and add vibrant color contrast

Impatiens

Thrive in similar partial shade conditions and provide height variation

Begonias

Compatible growing requirements and complementary flowering periods

Salvia

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural contrast to low-growing alyssum

Pansies

Cool-season compatibility and similar soil moisture preferences

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowering plants

Sunflowers

Allelopathic compounds can inhibit germination and growth of smaller plants

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic chemicals that suppress growth of nearby plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

15kcal(1%)

Protein

1.03g(2%)

Carbs

3.28g(1%)

Fat

0.07g(0%)

Vitamin C

28mg(31%)

Vitamin A

97mcg(11%)

Iron

0.7mg(4%)

Calcium

39mg(3%)

Potassium

173mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169270)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good disease resistance, improved heat tolerance

Common Pests

Flea beetles, aphids, cabbage worms

Diseases

Downy mildew, white rust, damping off

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess take to bloom from seed?▼

Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess typically blooms 6-8 weeks from seed sowing. When direct sown in spring, expect flowers by late spring to early summer. Seeds started indoors will bloom earlier, usually within 4-6 weeks of transplanting outdoors. Once blooming begins, flowers continue non-stop until frost.

Can you grow Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess in containers?▼

Yes, Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess excels in containers and is particularly stunning in hanging baskets where its cascading growth habit creates a waterfall effect. Use well-draining potting mix and containers at least 6 inches deep. Water more frequently than garden plants, as containers dry out faster, but ensure drainage holes prevent waterlogging.

Is Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess good for beginners?▼

Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its forgiving nature and low maintenance requirements. It tolerates poor soil, drought, and heat while blooming continuously without deadheading. The main challenge for beginners is handling the tiny seeds, but once established, it's virtually foolproof.

What does Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess taste like?▼

Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess flowers have a distinctive honey-like sweetness with floral notes. The flavor is delicate and pleasant, making them popular as edible garnishes for salads, cakes, and beverages. Harvest flowers in the morning for the best flavor, and always taste-test first as growing conditions can affect sweetness levels.

When should I plant Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess seeds?▼

Plant Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess seeds in early spring after the last frost date for your area, or start indoors 6-8 weeks earlier. In zones 9-11, you can also plant in fall for winter and spring blooms. Soil temperature should be at least 50°F for good germination.

Does Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess reseed itself?▼

Sweet Alyssum Snow Princess can self-seed in favorable conditions, though less aggressively than heirloom varieties. In mild winter areas (zones 8-11), it may become weedy through prolific self-seeding. In colder zones, some seeds may overwinter and germinate the following spring, but this is less predictable with hybrid varieties.