🌸 What Are Alyssum Seeds?

Alyssum seeds produce charming clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers that blanket garden beds in a soft, cloud-like effect. Known botanically as Lobularia maritima, Sweet Alyssum is native to the Mediterranean and prized for its ground-covering habit, honey-scented blooms, and pollinator-friendly nature.

🌿 Botanical Features

• Seed Shape: Tiny, round, and tan-colored

• Flower Colors: White, pink, lavender, purple, and soft pastels

• Flower Form: Four-petaled, miniature, dense clusters

• Plant Height: 4–8 inches

• Foliage: Fine, gray-green leaves with a delicate appearance

• Germination: 7–14 days in cool, moist conditions

• Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading, and mounding

🍽️ Culinary Uses

While alyssum is not typically used for culinary purposes, it attracts pollinators that support edible garden plants like herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

🏥 Health Benefits

Alyssum has no major medicinal uses in modern herbalism, but in folklore and early European herbal texts, it was occasionally used for:

• Minor skin irritations

• Folk remedies for calming effects

However, modern usage is ornamental and ecological—valued for:

• Attracting beneficial insects

• Acting as a companion plant in organic gardening

🌱 Growing Alyssum from Seed

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Sow Indoors or Direct Sow:

   • Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost

   • Outdoors: Early spring, once soil is workable

2. Sowing Instructions:

   • Sprinkle seeds on the soil surface; do not cover (needs light to germinate)

   • Gently press seeds into soil

3. Water & Light:

   • Keep evenly moist until germination

   • Prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade

4. Transplanting:

   • Space 6–10 inches apart

   • Trim mid-season to encourage re-blooming

5. Soil Preference:

   • Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

   • Thrives in cooler temperatures and tolerates light frosts

🔍 Fun Fact

Alyssum’s sweet, honey-like scent is especially strong in the evening, making it a favorite for moon gardens. It also self-seeds easily—once established, it often reappears year after year without effort!