Troubleshooting
Evergreen Candytuft problems — and how to fix them
Evergreen Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Legginess and reduced flowering
Without post-flowering pruning the plant becomes woody, sprawling, and produces fewer blooms; cut back by one-third to one-half immediately after flowering each year to maintain a dense, compact mound.
Crown rot
Caused by waterlogged soil or excessive moisture at the base; ensure sharp drainage and avoid mulching right up to the woody stems. Most common on clay soils in wet winters.
Caterpillars (cabbage white butterfly)
As a Brassicaceae member it can be targeted by caterpillars of Pieris species; check the undersides of leaves in summer and remove caterpillars by hand or treat with Bacillus thuringiensis.
Prevent evergreen candytuft problems before they start
Most evergreen candytuft issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Evergreen Candytuft problems — FAQ
Why is my evergreen candytuft legginess and reduced flowering?
Without post-flowering pruning the plant becomes woody, sprawling, and produces fewer blooms; cut back by one-third to one-half immediately after flowering each year to maintain a dense, compact mound.
Why is my evergreen candytuft crown rot?
Caused by waterlogged soil or excessive moisture at the base; ensure sharp drainage and avoid mulching right up to the woody stems. Most common on clay soils in wet winters.
Why is my evergreen candytuft caterpillars (cabbage white butterfly)?
As a Brassicaceae member it can be targeted by caterpillars of Pieris species; check the undersides of leaves in summer and remove caterpillars by hand or treat with Bacillus thuringiensis.