Sweet Alyssum
ExplorePlants
Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Sweet Alyssum is a delicate flower with clusters of tiny, fragrant blooms. It attracts butterflies and bees with its sweet scent and bright colors.
Habitat: Gardens, Coastal areas
Appearance
The Sweet Alyssum has a sprawling growth habit, creating dense carpets of tiny, four-petaled flowers. These delicate blossoms typically appear in shades of pure white, soft pinks, lavender, and royal purple, often forming a cloud-like display. Its compact clusters make it visually distinct as a delicate groundcover.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBrassicaceaeGenusLobularia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
3
Interesting facts
Gardeners sometimes call it "Carpet of Snow" because of its dense, white flower clusters!
Its Greek name "Alyssum" means "without madness," as it was once believed to cure rabies!
Its tiny seeds can sprout and grow in surprisingly small cracks, brightening up walls or paths!
Some varieties can actually change color from white to pink or purple as their tiny flowers mature!
Special abilities
Ability
Fragrant Welcome
Sweet Alyssum releases a strong, sweet fragrance, acting as a beacon to guide insects to its tiny flowers for pollination.
Ability
Spreading Carpet
This plant grows low and wide, forming a dense 'living carpet' that helps keep moisture in the soil and suppresses weeds.
Ability
Endless Flowers
Sweet Alyssum can produce tiny blossoms almost continuously for months, ensuring it creates many seeds for new plants.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 15-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from its flowers.
pollinates
Marmalade Hoverfly
Episyrphus balteatus
feeds on nectar, helping spread pollen between blossoms.
depends on
Convergent Lady Beetle
Hippodamia convergens
uses the plant's nectar and shelter while hunting garden pests.
Traits
Annual
Annual plants complete their entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
AlyssumSweet Alison
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy looking at these flowers, but avoid picking them to let them grow and attract more insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Sweet Alyssum?
The easiest way to identify Sweet Alyssum is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Sweet Alyssum?
10-30 cm
How wide does Sweet Alyssum spread?
15-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Sweet Alyssum?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Sweet Alyssum bloom?
Spring, Summer, Fall
Is Sweet Alyssum edible?
Yes
Is Sweet Alyssum toxic?
None
What is Sweet Alyssum's lifecycle?
Annual
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Jun 6, 2026
Athens Lunatic Asylumi
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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