How to Grow Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Welcome to our essential guide to growing and caring for Snowflake Candytuft. The Iberis sempervirens are aptly named and just as gracefully beautiful as the winter wonders themselves with its pure-white clusters of flowers. This versatile plant is easy to grow and perfect for a variety of garden settings. Here we’ll take you through everything you need to know to grow Snowflake Candytuft at home including planting, soil considerations, light preferences, feeding, pruning, and over-winter care.

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How to Grow Snowflake Candytuft – The Essentials

Botanical Name:	Iberis sempervirens
Also Known As:	Snowflake candytuft, evergreen candytuft, or perennial candytuft
Hardiness Zones:	3 to 9
Flowering Months:	Late spring through early summer (May, June, and July)
Growing Difficulty:	Easy to grow
Type of Plant:	Herbaceous perennial shrub
Light Requirements:	Full sun
Temp & Humidity:	Thrives in soil temperatures ranging from 65°F to 70°F with low to moderate humidity. Winter hardy down to about -5°F to -10°F.
Watering Needs:	Moderate water needs. Water thoroughly, allow excess moisture to drain, and allow the soil to mostly dry before watering again.
Soil Preferences:	Moist, well-draining, neutral to alkaline potting soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 8
Feeding:	Apply a low-nitrogen/high-phosphorous slow-release fertilizer once in the spring.
Growth Expectations:	12 to 18 inches tall and wide at maturity
Toxicity:	Non-toxic to humans and pets

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About Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Taxonomy

Commonly called snowflake candytuft, perennial candytuft, or evergreen candytuft, Iberis sempervirens is one of about 30 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the Iberis genus that belongs to the Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage) plant family.

The plant’s scientific name refers to both its native region (the Iberian Peninsula) and its evergreen nature, as the Latin words semper and virens translate to always green.

Origins and History

Iberis sempervirens is native to areas of the Iberian Peninsula, the British Isles, Italy, France, the Balkan Peninsula, and Europe.

Today, it can be round growing naturally in Syria, Northern Africa, and North America.

Snowflake Candytuft Botanical Characteristics

Snowflake candytuft plants are herbaceous shrubs with woody stems and a billowing mounding and somewhat spreading habit. The foliage is oblong and lance-shaped with a sometimes leathery texture.

The plants produce abundant snowy-white corymbs of flat flower clusters that emit a pleasantly sweet fragrance that is somewhat similar to hyacinth flowers.

Uses and Benefits

Enthusiasts primarily plant snowflake candytuft for its evergreen, blossoming ornamental value that, in climates with mild winters, offers year-round appeal in the garden. With their woody stems, snowflake candytuft flowers also make excellent cut flowers for arrangements and for drying.

Additionally, snowflake candytuft’s sweet fragrance attracts a variety of pollinators including butterflies, moths, and bees. So, its addition to your garden will help improve the health of all your plants and your local pollinator population.

Flowering Season

Snowflake candytuft blossoms in late spring and early summer.

Growth Expectations

Iberis sempervirens grows at a moderate to slow rate, requiring about 5 to 10 years to reach its mature size. Fully grown, snowflake candytuft reaches about 12 to 18 inches in height and a similar spread.

Best Companion Plants

Suitable companion plants for snowflake candytuft include any other plants that prefer full sun and moist but well-draining soil. Some favorites include:

• Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
• Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
• Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
• Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

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How to Grow Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

The Best Planting Locations

Choose a location with well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Snowflake candytuft plants are perfect for planting to hang over walls or out of window baskets. They’re wonderful border, bed, and groundcover plants that thrive in rock gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, coastal gardens, containers, and more.

The Best Time of Year to Plant Snowflake Candytuft

Plant snowflake candytuft in the spring after the danger of the first frost has passed. This allows the plant plenty of time to become established in the ground before winter dormancy.

Growing From Seed vs. Planting Nursery Plants

Although it can be grown from seed and is sometimes self-spreading, snowflake candytuft grows rather slowly. Planting established nursery plants will produce more effective results within the same season.

What to Do Before Planting

Before planting, select a suitable growing location with full sun and well-draining soil. Choose a spot that will highlight the beauty of your snowflake candytuft plants.

Next, gather up any supplies you might need including sand or perlite to increase soil drainage and/or plant containers.

The Best Soil for Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Snowflake candytuft thrives in a neutral to alkaline, rocky or sandy soil that’s poor in nutrients and rich in chalk (calcium carbonate).

How to Plant Snowflake Candytuft

Nursery Plants

• Whether planting in the ground or in a container, first ensure that your soil is well-draining by mixing in sand or perlite, if needed.
• Next, create a hole in the potting mix or in the dirt that’s slightly larger than your plant’s root ball. If you’re planting more than one candytuft, space the holes about 12 inches apart.
• Place the plant in the hole so that the base of the stem is even with the top of the ground or just 1 to 2 inches below the rim of the container. Use the potting mix to fill in around the roots. Gently pat the dirt to compact it.
• Water thoroughly, allowing all excess moisture to drain.

Seeds

You can either start seeds indoors in small containers and transplant them in the spring or sow seeds directly in the soil after the danger of the last frost has passed.

• To plant outdoors, loosen the top inch or two of soil.
• Poke seeds into the dirt and gently pat down on top of the seeds.
• Use a watering can or hose with a gentle spray to thoroughly soak the area, allowing excess moisture to drain.
• Water regularly, keeping the soil moist, until the seeds sprout. Continue watering frequently until your plants are established.

Although mature plants can reach up to 18 inches, you can sow seeds about 6 inches apart to create a groundcover effect more quickly when growing from seed.

Snowflake Candytuft Light Preferences

Snowflake candytuft thrives in direct, full sun. Plant in a location that receives at least 6 hours of full sun each day.

If temperatures exceed 95°F, snowflake candytufts will benefit from a location that receives some shade in the afternoon or evening.

Temperature and Humidity Preferences

Thrives in ambient temperatures ranging from 65°F to 70°F and prefers low to moderate humidity.

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How to Care for Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

When and How to Water Snowflake Candytuft

Younger plants require more frequent watering than well-established snowflake candytufts that can tolerate some drought. In all stages of growth, snowflake candytufts prefer soil that’s kept moist but never soggy.

Soak thoroughly when the soil is almost completely dry and allow all excess water to drain. Provide about one inch of water per week. Water less frequently during cooler or wetter weather and more regularly in hot, dry weather.

The use of a moisture meter or soil probe can help you perfect the timing of your snowflake candytuft watering schedule.

How, When, and Why to Fertilize Snowflake Candytuft

Typically, plants need more fertile soil to encourage growth and flower productions. Snowflake candytuft, however, actually prefers soil that is poor in nutrients: the fewer the nutrients, the more showy the snowflake candytuft flowers.

Snowflake candytuft can be fertilized once a year in spring with the application of a slow-release fertilizer that’s high in phosphorous and low in nitrogen.

Pruning and Cutting Back Snowflake Candytuft

During the growing season, pruning encourages fresh, new growth. Cut back 1/3 of your snowflake candytuft’s stem and foliage after the flower cluster is spent to maintain the plant’s shape and prevent legginess. If growing over a wall, in window baskets, or hanging containers, do not prune to encourage a lengthier spread.

These evergreen plants, otherwise, require no pruning or cutting back in the fall or spring.

Deadheading

Remove spent blooms to encourage new growth and blossoms throughout the flowering season.

Propagation

Unlike the annual members of the Iberis genus, the perennial snowflake candytuft can be propagated both by seed, soft-wood cutting, and root division.

To propagate by seed, allow the seed pods to dry on the plant after flowers are spent. Once dried, remove them carefully and store them in a cool, dry place for the winter. Sow in spring after the danger of the first frost has passed.

To propagate by soft wood cutting, select a healthy, green stem to cut. Choosing a lengthier stem with at least a few leaves on it works best. Dip it in root growth hormone and stick it into a small pot of soil. Keep it warm and evenly moist until roots sprout.

To propagate by root division, remove plants from their containers or the ground in the fall after flowering has ceased. One large plant can be split into two or three plants as long as each clump has roots and foliage attached. Repot the divided plants or place them into separate holes in the ground.

Overwintering Snowflake Candytuft

Snowflake candytufts are winter hardy down to USDA hardiness zone 3 and can tolerate some brief dips down to temperatures ranging from -5°F to -10°F. However, in these cooler climates, snowflake candytuft tends only to be partially evergreen and might lose some of its foliage.

In cooler climates, protect snowflake candytuft growing in the ground with a 1 to 2-inch layer of mulch. Move potted plants to a warmer location indoors.

When and How to Repot Container-Grown Plants

Snowflake candytufts growing in containers can be repotted every couple of years or when they outgrow their containers.

To repot yours, select a well-draining container that is about 2 inches larger than the plant’s current pot. Follow the same potting process recommended for smaller plants.

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Common Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) Problems and How to Treat Them

Signs and Symptoms of Problems

• Yellowed Leaves – The plant might be too hot, too wet, or too humid. Mind the temperature and humidity around the plant. Water in the morning only.
• Not Flowering – A lack of flowers could indicate an overwatered plant. Check the soil and reduce your watering schedule.
• Wilted Flowers – Wilted flowers could indicate an overwatered plant. Check the soil and reduce your watering schedule.

Common Pests and Diseases

• Slugs and Snails – Slugs and snails can be hand-picked or deterred with diatomaceous earth or bait traps.
• Clubroot – A plant with clubroot disease will have stunted growth and club-shaped roots. Discard infected plants and avoid planting species of the Brassicaceae plant family in the same soil.

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Essential Tools for Growing Snowflake Candytuft

Here are all of the tools you should have around for Snowflake Candytuft care. 

• Trowel
• Moisture meter or soil probe
• Well-draining container
• Pruning shears
• Sand or perlite

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Bring the Beauty of Winter to Your Spring and Summer Garden

Snowflake candytuft’s delicate clusters of snow-white flowers remind one of winter’s frosty allure. When you plant these stunners in your garden, you can enjoy the graceful beauty of snow-white drifts in your garden with the cold temperatures!

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More Candytuft Growing Guides:

For more, see our step-by-step guide to growing Garden Candytuft (Iberis umbellata) at home.

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Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) FAQs

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