White alyssum should be a staple flower in any garden. The flowers are sweetly scented, adorable, and versatile, attracting a multitude of beneficial insects and pollinators. ‘Tiny Tim’ is the classic, white version of sweet alyssum, perfect for containers, ornamental border beds, and companion planting with vegetables.
Let’s dive in to how to plant, grow, and care for this lovely little flower.
Overview
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Tiny Tim Sweet Alyssum Seeds
Plant History
Dating back to the 1500s, this plant is a low-maintenance border flower aiding soil biodiversity and attracting pollinators.
Sweet alyssum is a drought-tolerant Mediterranean plant that has been cultivated since the 1500s when it was used mostly for medicinal purposes. Modern-day gardeners use the plant as a low-maintenance border flower, companion plant, ground cover, and insectary plant.
‘Tiny Tim’ is a variety that is particularly compact and drought-tolerant. The low-growing plants are beautiful and offer great benefits such as improved biodiversity, reduced pest pressure, important pollinator resources, and weed suppression.
Appearance
A low-growing perennial, ‘Tiny Tim’ features clusters of tiny white flowers ideal for ground cover.
‘Tiny Tim’ is a low-growing perennial known for its clusters of tiny, four-petaled, white flowers with soft yellow centers. It’s nicknamed carpet flower for good reason; its spread is only 6-12 inches, and grows just two to four inches tall. The alternating leaves are long, oval, and narrow, and the growth habit is mounding, keeping the soil shaded and moist below its canopy.
Ideal for retaining walls, rock gardens, and along pathways, ‘Tiny Tim’ will spill over walls and rocks, fill in cracks and crevices, and create a white blanket of buzzing flowers.
Standout Feature
People and pollinators love the flowers for their fragrant, honey-like scent.
Gardeners and pollinators adore alyssum for its honey-like sweet scent, which wafts through the breeze. Add it to containers and place them near windows and doors to enjoy the fragrance inside your home.
Tiny pollinators especially love these flowers because it’s easy for them to feed on the small nectaries. Alyssum will also attract honeybees, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
How to Grow
Overall, alyssum is low-maintenance and forgiving. It can adapt well to different types of soil and climates. You should have no problem cultivating this plant in your garden. Plant it alongside fruiting plants to secure higher rates of pollination.
Light
Plant alyssum in a sunny to partially shaded location for optimal growth.
For the most flowers and fragrance, plant ‘Tiny Tim’ in a spot where it receives full sun to partial shade. Warmer climates can have searing sun, so plant alyssum where it gets afternoon shade. Six hours of mostly direct sun is best.
Water
Irrigate with one inch of water per week if there is no rain. It is drought-tolerant once established.
Water one inch per week if no rainfall has occurred. Once established, alyssum is drought-tolerant and resilient. You should water transplants more as they establish themselves in the landscape.
Soil
For prolific fall blooms, use well-draining soil with fairly neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Provide well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Keep the soil moist throughout the season for the best chance at prolific summer and fall blooms. Soil texture can vary as long as it remains moist and well-drained. Soggy soil can cause root rot.
Mulch
This groundcover plant acts as natural mulch, eliminating the need for additional mulch.
‘Tiny Tim’ is the perfect groundcover because it becomes a natural mulch for surrounding plants. This means it’s not necessary to mulch around it, but mulch can be added in ornamental gardens for aesthetic purposes.
Climate and Temperature
This cool-climate perennial still needs protection from heavy frosts.
Alyssum prefers cooler temperatures (50-60°F or 10-16°C), and may dry out or become a bit brown in the summer heat. It can tolerate cold temperatures, but a heavy frost could cause death. The plants should be protected with row cover if an early-season frost is predicted after transplanting outside.
‘Tiny Tim’ is mostly grown as an annual, as it’s easy to start from seed and it can get leggy in its second year. It can be grown as a perennial in zones 5+, and it’s moderately drought-resistant.
Fertilizing
Add phosphorus-rich organic fertilizer during cooler spring and fall temperatures for more blooms.
Fertilize when flowers are blooming and temperatures are cooler in the spring and fall. However, ensure you use a liquid diluted to 1/4 strength. This is because alyssum doesn’t perform as well in soil with extra fertility. You can feed them until the heat of summer kicks in. Plants won’t uptake nutrients when temperatures are above 50°F (10°C).
Select an organic fertilizer that’s high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen, preferably a liquid that can be applied after rain or irrigation. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer container.
Harvesting
This cultivar is too short for cutting flowers, but is suitable for edible garnishes and tiny, giftable pots.
This cultivar is quite short, so it’s not ideal for cutting flowers. However, ‘Tiny Tim’ can be harvested to use as an edible garnish.
Simply pluck off the tops of healthy-looking flowers in full bloom but before they’ve been fully pollinated. You can also snip off whole stems, depending on how many you need. Add them to early summer salads or use a full stem as a dainty cake topper.
Pruning
No pruning is needed, but a light cut refreshes and stimulates new growth.
‘Tiny Tim’ does not require any pruning. However, if you notice lots of brown petals and want to freshen it up, a light prune will encourage new growth. Prune away dead or diseased foliage with sterilized pruning shears as needed.
Collecting Seeds
Harvest seeds from mature flower clusters, remove from pods, and store in labeled containers.
If you want to replicate your plants, you can collect seeds at the end of the season or allow plants to self-sow. They resemble small, slightly flatter coriander seeds. The lower, more mature flower clusters will form seed pods first. Wait until they’re brown and dry in appearance.
Gently tug the stem off the plant or snip it off, then release the light brown seeds by rolling the stem in your fingers over a paper towel or into a bowl. Shake the colander over a bowl, and the seeds will fall through as the stems and dried leaves remain. Discard any that aren’t fully dried or allow them to air dry for a few days before packing them up for storage.
Store the seeds in a brown seed bag or an airtight plastic container. Label with the variety and year saved. Store them in a cool, dry spot until it’s time to sow.
Propagation
Propagation of alyssum is easy from seed or cuttings. Dividing is not recommended. You should have no problem creating more alyssum from seed or cutting, though.
Seed
Start ‘Tiny Tim’ from seed indoors before the last frost, keeping soil moist for germination.
Starting ‘Tiny Tim’ from seed is extremely easy. If it’s your first time growing alyssum, seeds are readily available to purchase, or you can start seeds using last year’s saved seeds. Sow seeds indoors four to five weeks before the last frost in your region.
Sprinkle them over a strip tray or small cell tray, and don’t cover them, as light is required to germinate. Water from below to keep the seeds in place and ensure the soil stays moist. Germination may take 5-15 days.
If direct seeding into the garden, sprinkle a pinch of 20-30 seeds about every six inches and thin as needed. A packet of 5,000 seeds will cover about 100 square feet.
Pro Tip: This flower easily self-seeds in the garden, which is a sign you can winter sow it! Sow seeds in February to get a jumpstart on spring seedlings.
Cuttings
For warmer regions, propagate with spring or fall cuttings.
Softwood cuttings are recommended for warmer regions where alyssum grows as a perennial. In the spring or fall, cut about four inches off the stem top and pot it up in fresh soil.
Keep the soil moist, and new roots will form. Step these up as needed into larger containers or transplant them outdoors. This is also a great way to grow seedlings for gifts or resale.
Self-Seeding
Alyssum self-seeds easily, germinating next season. It is shallow-rooted and easy to remove.
Your alyssum plant will drop seeds, and hopefully some will germinate for you next season. In warmer growing regions, they may germinate this season if conditions allow. Alyssum is shallow-rooted and easy to pull up if you don’t want the seedlings to remain where they germinate.
Planting
Transplant in the spring or fall, depending on your region. In areas with short springs, opt for a mild fall to give the plant more time to establish in the landscape.
Hardening Off
Harden off seedlings at 50°F (10°C) before transplanting, protecting from early spring frost if needed.
Harden off seedlings at around 50°F (10°C) before transplanting so they can acclimate to outdoor conditions. Cover them with row cover or bring them indoors temporarily if there is any risk of early spring frost.
Spacing
Leave six to eight inches between plants and about the same between rows. It may seem like you can squeeze more in at first, but remember, they’ll spread out into a carpet-like mat, so don’t overcrowd them.
Transplanting
Transplant seedlings after frost risk, ideally in the fall in mild climates.
Plant out seedlings after the risk of frost has passed or after the heat of summer. These plants love cooler weather.
To move alyssum from one location to a new one in the garden, transplant in the fall when new growth is happening. Only transplant plants whose roots are strong and healthy. Water new transplants well. Consider fertilizing to provide a boost.
Plant Uses
The crisp, white flowers of ‘Tiny Tim’ white alyssum will complement just about anything growing in your garden. They’re great companion plants and complement the veggie garden nicely. But that’s not the only way to use alyssum.
Design Ideas
The flowering stems cascade over walls, window boxes, and hanging baskets, enhancing cottage gardens and borders.
‘Tiny Tim’ will cascade over retaining walls, rock walls, the sides of window boxes, and hanging baskets, adding a whimsical feel to a cottage garden as a bright white understory.
Grow it with creeping thyme and ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum along a walkway or garden border, or contrast it against bold salvia, zinnias, and snapdragons.
Insectary Plant
The white flowers attract beneficial insects like wasps, hoverflies, and pirate bugs, controlling garden pests.
The pretty white flowers of ‘Tiny Tim’ attract parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and minute pirate bugs. Having these predators around will keep aphids, mites, moths, mealy bugs, and various other garden pests in check.
Studies show there may be an increase in the longevity of beneficial wasps when alyssum is planted near annual vegetables. No wonder alyssum is such a great companion plant!
Medicinal Uses
Dating back to the 1500s, this plant was used as a medicinal herb.
In the 1500s, sweet alyssum was used to treat colds, coughs, and various abdominal ailments. It is known as a natural diuretic and is sometimes used homeopathically to prevent kidney disease and help with water retention.
Companion Plants
Plant near vegetables for increased pollination and pest control.
Sweet alyssum attracts lots of beneficial insects. Planting alyssum near long-season annual vegetables will drastically increase the rate of pollination, which may lead to improved overall growth and yields. You can also use the plant to keep weed pressure down. However, don’t let it become unruly, and allow for proper airflow around the base of plants.
Adding ‘Tiny Tim’ at the base of bright zinnias, beebalm, or alongside ornamental cabbage will add contrasting beauty. Hanging baskets of alyssum will serve as insectaries and help with pest control in container gardens.
Edible Flowers
The blossoms add a mild mustard flavor to salads, soups, stews, charcuterie, and cakes.
The mild mustard flavor makes a great addition to fresh salads, soups, and stews or to garnish charcuterie boards. Add the flowers to brightly colored cakes as a delicate garnish.
Common Problems
Sweet alyssum isn’t usually destroyed by pests or disease, but here are a few to watch out for. Young plants are typically much more susceptible to pests, while more mature, healthy plants stave them off with ease.
Painted Bug or Bagrada Bug (Bagrada hilaris)
The Bagrada bug, a small stink bug, targets alyssum, causing plant damage.
This stink bug loves members of the mustard family, including alyssum. You may have mistaken the Bagrada bug for a harlequin bug. Although it has unique black and white markings, it’s much smaller, at just ¼ inch long. It features orange and white markings, and a back shaped like a shield.
Nymphs are orangish-red with a black head, slightly resembling lady beetles. Females can lay up to 100 eggs in a few short weeks, which hatch out when the alyssum blooms in the spring and fall. The Bagrada bug thrives in hot temperatures.
Bagrada bugs cause serious damage to young plants by piercing and feeding on plant tissues. Symptoms include spotting, stunted growth, wilting, or death. They hide in the soil during the cooler parts of the day and at night. Early detection, scouting, and killing are important. It also helps to prioritize healthy soil and plants. Use insect netting when plants are young. Remove infested plants if needed and weed the area regularly.
Caterpillars
Detect and manage diamondback moth and cabbage looper caterpillars early to prevent damage.
Diamondback moth larvae chew circular holes in leaves, giving them a shothole effect, whereas cabbage loopers cause more of a Swiss cheese effect by chewing all the way through.
Early detection is crucial. Spray Bt preventatively. If detected, hand-pick them into a jar of soapy water. Remove all garden debris before closing up for winter and practice proper crop rotation to keep future caterpillar pressure down.
Aster Leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus)
A detrimental virus spreads through infected plants from aster leafhoppers.
Aster Yellows is transmitted after aster leafhoppers feed on infected plants. The aster leafhopper is ⅛ inch in size and grayish-green. They’re hard to control and have a large number of preferred host plants. They move quickly, sucking juices from plants, giving them a mottled appearance.
You may see two to three generations of this insect per season. Nymphs hatch in June to early July. Remove possible weed hosts and infected plants immediately to decrease the risk of attracting the aster leafhopper.
Root Rot and Wilt
Prevent root rot by avoiding overwatering in heavy soil.
Root rot is caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Above-ground symptoms include yellowing, wilting, and foliar collapse. Don’t overwater, especially if you have heavier soil. Prevention is key as plants will likely not recover once root rot occurs.
Downy Mildew
Monitor upper leaf yellowing for signs of downy mildew, maintaining plant health with proper watering and spacing for airflow.
Pay close attention to upper leaf yellowing as it may indicate alyssum downy mildew caused by Peronospora. Spots will eventually break through as fuzzy mildew. Leaves will begin to shrivel and drop if the infection persists.
Keep plants healthy and water in the early morning to avoid wet foliage going into the night. This decreases the risk of fungal activity and fungal disease. Give plants ample space and provide good airflow.
Botrytis Blight or Gray Mold
Prevent gray mold with good airflow, tidy gardens, and copper sprays or fungicides.
Poor circulation and wet foliage can cause gray mold, which shows up as weak plant tissue, and brown or black spots on petals, leaves, and buds. Gray mold spores are easily spread.
Plants can recover when conditions improve. Control with copper sprays or fungicides. Cultural control includes garden tidiness, drip irrigation, and proper airflow.
Leaf Blight
This disease thrives in prolonged wet conditions, causing chlorotic areas on upper leaves and fuzzy growth.
Blight arises and spreads during periods of extended wetness. Symptoms appear as chlorotic areas on upper leaf surfaces, typically later in the growing season. Once it breaks through, grayish, purple fuzzy growth will appear. Copper fungicides can help.
Final Thoughts
Add ‘Tiny Tim’ to your garden for a low-maintenance, attractive, and beneficial ground cover. You’ll enjoy its crisp white flower clusters and honey-sweet scent, and so will your local pollinators!
