Candytuft Care
This tough southern European native requires well-drained soil, as it’s susceptible to crown rot in soggy conditions. Avoid soil with too much clay, since it holds too much moisture, especially during winter months. The soil should be more alkaline than acidic. Candytuft also needs as much sun as possible. Full sun will bring out the best blossoms and prevent legginess. Cut this plant back after it blooms (or when it’s grown in part shade) to stimulate new growth and promote a compact habit. Mulch the plant in winter to minimize damage from sun scorch or desiccation (winter burn) from low soil moisture, freezing temperatures, and harsh, blowing winds. As candytuft grows along the ground, its sprawling stems root wherever they lie on the soil, creating dense mats of foliage. These rooted stems can be left where they are or they can be divided up and transplanted throughout the garden.
Candytuft Companion Plants
Rock Cress
Rock cress, as you can guess from the name, is one of those plants that like tough love—give it a hot, dry crack between some stones somewhere and it will flourish. It can cover a stacked-stone wall or rocky outcropping with beautiful blue-purple flowers. Purple rock cress usually has purple or blue flowers, but rock wall cress is more likely to bloom in white or pink. Both make attractive low mounds that look great at the edge of a retaining wall where they get full sun and excellent drainage. Cut stems back after spring bloom to keep the plants compact.
Basket-of-Gold
Basket-of-gold is one of those plants that loves to grow in the least likely of places—cracks between paving stones, the edge of gravel paths and patios, rocky outcroppings, between the stacked stones of a retaining wall, and more. It loves a baked spot with excellent drainage, but will struggle in hot, humid areas and tends not to do well in the South. But where it does well, it’s a showstopper. It will reseed prolifically in little cracks, filling an area each spring with dazzling neon yellows. After it finishes blooming, the grayish-green foliage makes an attractive mat in the perennial garden.
Veronica
Easy and undemanding, veronicas catch the eye in sunny gardens over many months. Some have mats with loose clusters of saucer-shaped flowers, while others group their star or tubular flowers into erect tight spikes. A few veronicas bring elusive blue to the garden, but more often the flowers are purplish or violet blue, rosy pink, or white. Provide full sun and average well-drained soil. Regular deadheading extends bloom time.
Garden Plans for Candytuft
Easy Slope Garden Plan
This mix of easy annuals and tough perennials will beautify any slope. Follow this garden plan to get the look in your green space. Get this garden plan.