Flower
Can you grow Sweet Alyssum on a balcony?
Lobularia maritima
Yes — great in containers
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) grows well on a balcony in a suitable container. It needs full sun — around 6+ hours of direct sun a day. Cool-weather bloomer: flowers in spring, pauses in heat, reblooms in early autumn; clip over after flowering for more blooms. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (6+ h)
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Easy
Hardiness
Annual
Container fit
Excellent
Sow
Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost (grows in ~6–8 weeks); can go out 1–2 weeks before last frost. Grow in light, well-drained soil.
Harvest
Cool-weather bloomer: flowers in spring, pauses in heat, reblooms in early autumn; clip over after flowering for more blooms
Good companions: Lettuce and brassicas (attracts hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids); loved by small pollinators
Balcony tip: Use it as the trailing 'spiller' in a mixed container; one or two plants in any good potting soil give plenty of fragrant spread, kept evenly moist.
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Häufige Fragen
What size pot does Sweet Alyssum need?
Container size for Sweet Alyssum isn't specified by our sources for a single value — as a rule, give roots room and don't let a small pot dry out. Check the linked RHS/Almanac page.
How much sun does Sweet Alyssum need on a balcony?
Sweet Alyssum wants full sun — about 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Sweet Alyssum?
Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost (grows in ~6–8 weeks); can go out 1–2 weeks before last frost. Grow in light, well-drained soil.. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Sweet Alyssum
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Sweet Alyssum
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.