FlowersSweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots
Sweet alyssum is an easy, mat-forming annual grown from seed for its small, fragrant white flowers, which attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
How to grow sweet alyssum
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Comparing Sweet Alyssum vs. Alpine Aster
The comparison
Sweet Alyssum vs. Alpine Aster
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Not yet verified | Perennial |
| Germination time | 8–10 days | Not yet verified |
| Germination temperature | 18–21 °C64–70 °F | Not yet verified |
| Sowing depth | On the surface | Not yet verified |
| Sun | Full sun, partial shade | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate | Not yet verified |
| Containers | Yes | Yes |
| Frost tolerance | Not yet verified | Hardy |
| Toxicity to cats | Non-toxic | Not yet verified |
| Toxicity to dogs | Non-toxic | Not yet verified |
| Links |
Up close
Meet the seeds
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
- Flowers
- Flowers
Alpine Aster
Aster alpinus
Difficulty: ModerateGrows in potsAlpine aster is a clump-forming perennial with violet daisy-like flowers, about 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) tall, that grows in full sun and well-drained soil and is hardy.
How to grow alpine aster
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Try another matchup
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Sweet Alyssum vs. Alpine Aster vs. African DaisyAdd african daisy as a third
Sweet Alyssum vs. Alpine Aster vs. African MarigoldAdd african marigold as a third
Sweet Alyssum vs. Alpine Aster vs. AgeratumAdd ageratum as a third- Sweet Alyssum vs. African DaisySweet Alyssum against another flower
- Alpine Aster vs. African DaisyAlpine Aster against another flower
- Sweet Alyssum vs. African MarigoldSweet Alyssum against another flower
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How to read a comparison
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Sprouting
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Timing
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Light and water
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Space and weather
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Pets
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Fastest to sprout
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Safe around cats and dogs
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
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