Candytuft (Iberis) Care and Growing Tips

How to Grow Candytuft Flowers

• Common name: Candytuft, evergreen candytuft, perennial candytuft
• Scientific name: Iberis sempervirens
• Growing zones: 3 to 9
• Light needs: Full sun or part shade
• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall, 6 to 18 inches wide
• Grown for: 1- to 3-inch flowers appearing from mid- to late spring to summer
• Attracts: Butterflies
• Cultivars to try: ‘Snowsation’ offers large, stunning white flowers as the snow melts; ‘Pink Ice’ boasts pink blooms that turn purple as the growing season continues. Also try Absolutely Amethyst, another purple flowering variety.

Clear a space in your favorite container for the seasonal glamour of candytuft. With flowers emerging in mid- to late spring, it’s an early-blooming pick that offers perennial color and vibrance as the seasons shift. Dark green evergreen foliage provides interest for the rest of the year, too.

Candytuft grows in either full sun or some shade, but to get the greatest number of flowers, plant it in full sun. Soil should be moist or slightly dry and well-draining. Wet or poorly draining soils can lead the plant to develop root rot.

In the colder areas of its growing zones, it’s a good idea to mulch candytuft with a covering of evergreen boughs — or a careful layer of standard mulch — to protect it from damage. After its first flowering, cut candytuft back to encourage new growth.

Benefits of Growing Candytuft

Commonly grown along borders, paths, or walkways as a ground cover plant, candytuft can brighten up an otherwise drab or empty area. It’s also a good choice for rock gardens. The plant brings in pollinators to visit its blooms, including butterflies.

Pests and Diseases

Resistant to rabbits, candytuft has few disease or insect problems as long as it’s grown in the right type of soil. Watch for powdery mildew and fungal leaf spots.

Sources

• Missouri Botanical Garden, “Iberis sempervirens“
• North Carolina State Extension, “Iberis sempervirens“