Candytuft in Zone 5a & 5b
Iberis umbellata
Yes, candytuft grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside Apr 26–May 3.
When to plant candytuft in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 | Apr 26–May 3 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 5–Jul 12 (~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 5b
These go outside within two weeks of candytuft in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Apr 26–May 3
- AstilbeApr 26–May 3
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)Apr 26–May 3
- Basket-of-GoldApr 26–May 3
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)Apr 26–May 3
- CalendulaApr 26–May 3
Candytuft is a short, dense annual grown for a concentrated burst of white or pink flowers in late spring.
How candytuft fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Candytuft needs about 70 days from sowing to first bloom.
Candytuft planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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 →
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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 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Candytuft in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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