Iberis amara aka Bitter Candytuft

Taxonomy

Iberis amara, also known as wild candytuft, rocket candytuft, and bitter candytuft, is a species of flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family. It is native to Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland but has been introduced to many other locations around the world. This plant prefers warm and sunny conditions with high-calcium soil. It can grow up to 40 cm tall and has hairy stems with scattered leaves. The inflorescence is a racemose corymb bearing 10 to 30 flowers, which are approximately 1 cm across and come in white or pale violet, with cultivated varieties available in deeper shades of pink, violet, or fuchsia. The plant might be poisonous, and it can be removed by gently pulling it out with the root system while wearing gloves. Wild Candytuft is a rare houseplant that requires regular watering and direct light, and it likes well-draining soil. It belongs to the Iberis genus and is native to Western and Southern Europe.

Common names

Bitter Candytuft, Rocket Candytuft, Wild Candytuft

How to care for Bitter Candytuft

Difficulty

Bitter Candytuft is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Bitter Candytuft should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Bitter Candytuft loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Bitter Candytuft requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Bitter Candytuft will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The Bitter Candytuft should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Bitter Candytuft’s native range is Western and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.


More info:
Wikipedia