This plant’s delicate white blooms give off sweet scents.
These ground-hugging perennials are considered sub-shrubs because their stems get woody.
Perennial candytuft is most commonly found in pure, bright white varieties with emerald-green foliage.
Credit: André Baranowski
This plant begins blooming in mid spring, and the flowers can last for several weeks.
Consider annual species of candytuft that come in white, pink, and purple shades for even more color.
Where to Plant Candytuft
Candytuft does best in full sun, planted in well-draining soil.
Credit: André Baranowski
Candytuft is highly drought-tolerant, making it suitable for rock gardens or very dry areas.
These rooted stems can be left where they are or divided up and transplanted throughout the garden.
How and When to Plant Candytuft
Plant candytufts in early spring.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Dig a hole about the same width and depth as the planting container.
Remove the plant and loosen the roots a bit from the root ball before placing in the hole.
Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, and water well.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Sometimes candytuft will bloom again in fall.
Light
Candytuft needsas much sun as possible.
Full sun will bring out the best blossoms and prevent legginess.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Soil and Water
Candytuftrequires well-drained soil, as it’s susceptible to crown rot in soggy conditions.
Avoid clay soil since it holds too much moisture, especially during winter months.
The soil should be morealkaline than acidic.
Temperature and Humidity
Candytuft’s behavior will vary depending on the temperature.
In colder places, it grows as a hardy perennial, dying back to ground level each winter.
In warmer locations, it acts like an evergreen.
It’s better suited to arid, mild places.
Use a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorous mix in spring.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Bring outdoor containers inside to overwinter.
Repot every few years.
Sometimes slugs or caterpillars can be spotted on candytuft.
How to Propagate Candytuft
Propagate candytuft from seeds or root division.
To grow them from seeds, wait until after the last frost to start.
Water the seeds well until they grow and are well-established.
verify each piece has some root and some stems.
Once divided, plant them in a new spot that has well-prepared soil.
Candytuft Companion Plants
Rock Cress
Rock cressflourishes in hot, dry cracks between stones.
It can cover a stacked stone wall or rocky outcropping with blue-purple flowers.
It will reseed prolifically in little cracks, filling them with dazzling neon yellows each spring.
After it finishes blooming, the grayish-green foliage makes an attractive mat in a perennial garden.
Zones 3-7
Veronica
Easy and undemandingveronicasbloom in sunny gardens over many months.
Limit watering to mornings to reduce the moisture in the air.
Yes, birds and bees are drawn to its sweet scent, as well as butterflies.
Fortunately, deer and rabbits stay away from candytuft.
