My garden, alive in my pocket.
Track my garden
🌿

Hoary alyssum

Berteroa incana · Brassicaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant hoary alyssum: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Scientific name
Berteroa incana
Family
Brassicaceae
Plant type
Annual or biennial herbaceous plant
Adult size
30 to 60 cm in height
Flowering
May to September, white flowers
Foliage
Deciduous, grey-green, finely pubescent
Hardiness
Very hardy, tolerates cold
Origin
Central and Eastern Europe

Care

Exposure

Install white alyssum in full sun or part shade. It tolerates sunny locations well and appreciates at least 6 hours of daily light for generous flowering. It's an undemanding plant that adapts to various exposure conditions.

Soil

Prefer well-drained, light and rather poor soil. White alyssum tolerates chalky, sandy or stony soils. Avoid overly humid or compacted ground that promotes root rot. A light compost application at planting time is sufficient.

Watering

Water moderately once established. This plant resists drought well thanks to its deep root system. During very hot periods, weekly watering optimizes flowering. Avoid excess water which can cause fungal diseases.

Pruning and maintenance

Pinch young plants to encourage branching and a more compact form. You can remove faded flowers to encourage prolonged flowering. At the end of the season, leave a few flowers to seed for natural reseeding the following year.

Fertilizer

White alyssum needs little fertilizer. A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is more than enough. Too much feeding promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. Naturally rich soils require no supplementary feeding.

Diseases and pests

This plant is generally very robust. Watch for powdery mildew in case of stagnant humidity. Aphids can occasionally colonize it: treat with soapy water as a preventative. Good drainage and good air circulation limit health problems.

Did you know?

White alyssum (Berteroa incana) was long confused with fat cabbage due to its complex taxonomy. It's a pioneering plant highly valued in phytostabilization of polluted soils: its deep roots and exceptional hardiness make it an interesting candidate for ecological restoration of degraded sites. It also bears the poetic name of 'false alyssum' due to its resemblance to sweet alyssum.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

Add this plant to my garden →

Plants from the same family

Browse all plants →

Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.