sweet alyssum
noun
: a widely cultivated European herb (Lobularia maritima) of the mustard family having narrow leaves and clusters of small fragrant usually white or pink flowers
Examples of sweet alyssum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In warmer early spring areas, marigolds help deter pests later in the season, and sweet alyssum offers a low-growing, pollinator-friendly option.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Late spring, after threat of frost has passed The nectaries of oregano blooms are a little larger than those of cilantro and sweet alyssum and thus attract larger insects such as honeybees, native bees, and syrphid (flower) flies.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Carrots and Sweet Alyssum As a cut flower grower, Lucas loves to cultivate beds that incorporate both florals and vegetables—and one of her favorite flowers to use when companion planting is sweet alyssum.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 7 May 2026
Nasturtiums, million bells, trailing verbena and sweet alyssum also lend themselves nicely to the pots.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Like yarrow, sweet alyssum flowers are irresistible to beneficial insects, and growing this flowering annual near veggie crops can keep culinary gardens pest-free.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
Though marigolds and sweet alyssum don’t directly affect each other, sweet alyssum will work to bring in hoverflies and ladybugs, and marigolds can work as a trap plant that graphs pests and holds them for the predatory insects to feed upon.
—Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
And ornamental cabbage and kale, snapdragons, sweet alyssum, and the list goes on and on.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025
For gardeners who want to keep the planting bed all white, adding white companion plantings like sweet alyssum, nemesia or daisies maintains the color scheme and helps provide diverse plantings to attract beneficial insects into the garden to help with pest problems.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Late spring, after threat of frost has passed The nectaries of oregano blooms are a little larger than those of cilantro and sweet alyssum and thus attract larger insects such as honeybees, native bees, and syrphid (flower) flies.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Carrots and Sweet Alyssum As a cut flower grower, Lucas loves to cultivate beds that incorporate both florals and vegetables—and one of her favorite flowers to use when companion planting is sweet alyssum.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 7 May 2026
Nasturtiums, million bells, trailing verbena and sweet alyssum also lend themselves nicely to the pots.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Like yarrow, sweet alyssum flowers are irresistible to beneficial insects, and growing this flowering annual near veggie crops can keep culinary gardens pest-free.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
Though marigolds and sweet alyssum don’t directly affect each other, sweet alyssum will work to bring in hoverflies and ladybugs, and marigolds can work as a trap plant that graphs pests and holds them for the predatory insects to feed upon.
—Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
And ornamental cabbage and kale, snapdragons, sweet alyssum, and the list goes on and on.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025
For gardeners who want to keep the planting bed all white, adding white companion plantings like sweet alyssum, nemesia or daisies maintains the color scheme and helps provide diverse plantings to attract beneficial insects into the garden to help with pest problems.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sweet alyssum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweet%20alyssum. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
