Evergreen Candytuft Iberis sempervirens

Candytuft is a low-growing, spreading, evergreen ground cover that may be classified as herbaceous perennial or sub-shrub. It has a mounding and sprawling habit and measures 6 to 12 inches in height and 6 to 18 inches in width. It has a woody interior and is evergreen in warmer climates and semi-evergreen in colder climates. Flowers emerge in the early to late spring and are small, white, 4-petaled, and appear in dense clusters. The foliage is nearly hidden by the profuse flowers. The leaves are narrow, dark green, leathery, and measure 1 to 1.5 inches long. Candytuft is a woody subshrub but is often treated as a herbaceous perennial.

Candytuft is a native of southern Europe from the Iberian Peninsula of Spain and Portugal to Turkey, and including Northwest Africa. 

The genus name, Iberis, is derived from the Greek word, iberis, meaning the plant is originally from Iberia. The specific epithet, sempervirens, is derived from Latin and is two separate words. Semper, meaning "always," and vivus, meaning "alive." 

This plant prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade; however, flowering is more profuse in full sun. The plant requires moist to slightly dry well-drained soils, and they are intolerant to wet or poorly drained soils. They tolerate a range of soil types but prefer alkaline to neutral soil. They are easily transplanted. Cut or sheer candytuft back by 1/3 after flowering to encourage new growth. Stems easily root when they are in contact with the soil thereby creating new plants. In cold climates, it is best to mulch the plants to prevent winter damage. Candytuft is drought-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant. It is supposedly deer and rabbit resistant; however, one source describes Candytuft as "deer candy.'

Candytuft works well as an accent, border planting, or along walkways. It is attractive as a groundcover, cascading over the edge of raised beds or containers, and sprawling over a rock wall. Consider this plant in a Children's Garden, Cottage Garden, Rock Garden, or Pollinator Garden.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring to Summer      Foliage:  Year-round

Quick ID Hints:

• Evergreen groundcover has small, flat, linear leaves
• Covered with crowded white-flowered racemes in Spring
• Flowers scissors-shaped; 4 free, clawed petals
• Leaf scars on older twigs raised, prominent

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Candytuft has no serious insect or disease issues. Caterpillars, slugs, and snails can be a problem.  Downey mildew, powdery mildew, fungal leaf spots, and rust occasionally occur.  Wet soils lead to crown rot.  Cold winters can cause leaves to get sun-scorched.  

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.