Candytuft is an annual flowering plant of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) native to the Mediterranean region found mainly along the coasts from Spain to Greece. The species epithet comes from the Latin "umbel", meaning "umbrella" and refers to the shape of the inflorescence. Candytuft grows 12 to 20 inches tall and requires well-drained soil in a wide range of soil types, including poor and very alkaline soil. Best flowering is in full sun and do not overwater. Sow seeds in spring after the last frost for summer flowering or in the fall for next year's crop. Seeds can be collected or the plant will self-seed. In spring, clusters of flowers appear with the calyx being violet, and the corolla composed of four white, pink or purple petals. The outer ring of petals is larger than the inner petals. It is a cottage garden favorite, works well in small spaces, planted along walkways or also works on sunny slopes or as a container plant. Use in a fairy, rock, pollinator or drought-tolerant garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Mounding; Spreading
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Dark green leaves have short to no stems and are linear-oblanceolate with entire margins, 0.6 to 2.5 inches long and less than an inch wide.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Corymb
Flower shape
Cross; Crown
Flower detail
In spring, clusters of flowers appear with the calyx being violet, and the corolla composed of four white, pink or purple petals. The outer ring of petals is larger than the inner petals. Flowers May through June.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Siliqua
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Winged and notched oval fruit
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Erect stems are branched distally
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Mediterranean
Wildlife value
Flowers pollinated by bees, and lepidoptera (moths & butterflies).