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How to Grow and Care for Candytuft Plants

Iberis Species

This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringHummingbird PlantButterfly FlowerWhite flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantPurple flowering plantIberis sempervirensHow to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper
The Iberis genus of plants includes about fourty different species of annuals, perennials and sub-shrubs.
They are excellent plants for borders or in your Rock Garden.
Sinclair the Garden Gnome
Hyacinth-Flowererd Candytuft, Iberis amara, is a cool weather, fast growing annual plant that grows 6"-18" tall and will spread to about 6". It has small, lance shaped green leaves and produces slightly rounded, 4"-6" clusters of fragrant white, pink or lavender tinged flowers from early spring into the summer.
Gibraltar Candytufts, Iberis gibraltarica, are sprawling, bushy perennials that grow to about 12" tall, with narrow, dark green leaves. They produce 2" clusters of pink or red-tinged white flowers during the summer. Hardy in USDA zones 7-11
Iberis pruitii are short lived perennial plants that grow about 6" tall and will spread to about 8". They have dark green, slightly fleshy, rosette forming leaves and produce tight clusters of white to light violet colored flowers in the summer. Hardy in USDA zones 7-11
Evergreen Candytuft, Iberis sempervirens, are woody, 6"-12" tall sub-shrubs that will spread to about 18"-24". They have glossy, dark green, 1½" leaves and produce 1½"-2" clusters of white, unscented flowers during the spring and early summer. Prune immediately after blooming. Hardy in USDA zones 4-11
Globe Candytuft, Iberis umbellata, are mound forming, 10", cool weather annual plants that cover themselves with flattened 2" clusters of brightly colored, fragrant flowers in shades of red, white, pink or purple in late spring and early summer. Trim lightly after blooming.

Growing requirements for Candytuft Plants

Most Candytuft plants require full sun for optimum blooming, however Iberis sempervirens will tolerate light shade.
They should be planted 6"-9" apart in light, sandy, well draining, slightly alkaline soil.
Lime or Dolomite can be added to adjust the soil pH.
Deadhead Candytufts regularly to prolong blooming.
Perennial Iberis should be sheared back by 1/3 after blooming to induce branching.
Annual species of Iberis should be removed from the garden when they begin to die back.

Propagating and Growing Candytuft Plants from Seed

Perennial Candytuft plants can be propagated with softwood cuttings taken in the summer.

They seldom need dividing but if they outgrow their space they can be dug up and divided in the spring after blooming has finished.

Iberis seeds can be sown directly into the garden in early spring when all danger of frost has passed. Seeds can be started indoors in individual pots eight weeks prior to planting in the garden.
Maintain a temperature of 65°-70° within the growing medium.
Germination will take place in 16 to 20 days.
The Flowers of an Evergreen Candytuft Plant, Iberis sempervirens
Evergreen Candytuft
Iberis sempervirens
A Candytuft Plant Blooming in the Garden, Iberis pruitii
Iberis pruitii


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