Candytuft in Zone 2a & 2b
Iberis umbellata
Yes, candytuft grows in zones 2a and 2b. Plant it outside May 6–May 13.
When to plant candytuft in zone 2b
Zones 2a and 2b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 6–May 13 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 15–Jul 22 (~70 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 2b
These go outside within two weeks of candytuft in zone 2b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)May 6–May 13
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)May 6–May 13
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)May 6–May 13
- CalendulaMay 6–May 13
- California PoppyMay 6–May 13
- Corn PoppyMay 6–May 13
Candytuft is a short, dense annual grown for a concentrated burst of white or pink flowers in late spring.
How candytuft fits zone 2's season
Zone 2b's frost-free window runs about 104 days, from May 20 to September 1. Candytuft needs about 70 days from sowing to first bloom.
Candytuft planting windows in every zone
Zone 2b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b (your zone) | Not usually | May 6–May 13 | Jul 15–Jul 22 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | Jul 25–Aug 1 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | Jul 10–Jul 17 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 26–May 3 | Jul 5–Jul 12 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 27–Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 11–Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 1–Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 16–Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Dec 18–Dec 25 | Feb 26–Mar 5 |
Bloom dates are about 70 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for candytuft.
Where to buy candytuft seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries candytuft seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing candytuft" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 2b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Candytuft in USDA zone 2b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest