Candytuft

I don’t want to devastate anyone but Candytuft isn’t named for candy. It’s named after Candia, which was a former name of the city of Heraklion in Crete. Candytuft, also known by its botanical name Iberis, is native to southern Europe but now be found naturalized in many parts of the world including Australia and New Zealand.

There are about 30-50 species of Iberis, some of which are perennial and others annual. The most common candytuft is Iberis umbellata, also called Globe Candytuft. Although this type is mostly considered an annual, it can come back or easily reseed itself in certain zones. Candytuft is generally an easy plant to grow in zones 3 to 9. While it can be at risk for certain fungi and attract aphids, leafhoppers, etc. it is pretty low maintenance.

Candytuft blooms from Spring through Summer. When the little petals are shed, it exposes a brilliant green series of seed pods that are just as beautiful as the flowers before finally fading to a tan brown.

Other Interesting or Semi-Interesting Things About This Plant

Candytuft is apparently supposed to mean apathy… So, if you want to let someone know you could take them or leave them give them candytuft.
While some websites and books bring up Candytuft as having been used medicinally, it’s for the most part one particular species Iberis amara or Rocket Candytuft that was used to treat everything from arthritis to gout to indigestion.

Specifications & Growing Information

Latin: Iberis
Annual that reseeds freely in most zones
Full sun-part shade
Stratification? No
Height up to 12 inches.
Germination in 16-20 days at 68-70F

Direct sow outdoors–Sow on weed-free soil. Although you can plant Candytuft year round it does better with a cold period. For best germination, either plant in Fall or 4-10 weeks before your area’s last frost, or refrigerate for at least 4 weeks. Press seeds into soil but don’t cover them as they need light to germinate.

Can be transplanted, but does well with direct sowing.
Works well in containers.