Companion Plants That Thrive Near Fast-Growing Candytuft Ground Cover

Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is a delicate evergreen perennial that grows quickly, producing a carpet of white flowers, and thirves in USDA zones 3 to 8. Gardeners love candytuft because of its ability to cascade over walls, soften garden edges, and serve as a solution for filling in patchy spots, making it just as practical as it is beautiful.

However, as lovely as it is on its own, pairing candytuft with the right companion plants can enhance the ecological balance and aesthetic contrast of your garden. Whether you're using this perennial for your sunny rock garden, edging a pathway, or adding brightness to your perennial bed, candytuft thrives alongside plants that complement its appearance and growth habits.

One of the keys to picking the best companion plants for candytuft is understanding its preferences. It's native to Mediterranean regions and does best in full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. It's an ideal neighbor for plants that have a similar hardy nature and drought tolerance. Pairing candytuft with plants like Coreopsis, creeping thyme, creeping Phlox, and Sedum will ensure you have a vibrant and thriving garden throughout the seasons.

To create a vibrant, balanced garden with candytuft as a centerpiece, pair it with a mix of companion plants that support soil health and enhance aesthetic appearance. For a colorful ground cover, combine candytuft with creeping Phlox, which has pink, purple, or blue flowers that provide a nice contrast to candytuft's white blooms. Sedum is another great option, as it's also drought-tolerant and adds in succulent textures, which blend well with candytuft's cascading form.

If you're going for that cottage-garden feel, pair candytuft with lavender. Lavender's upright growth, silvery foliage, and iconic scent contrast with candytuft's growth pattern, and bee balm can add some extra color while also attracting pollinators. Catmint is another great colorful option, and it also helps to keep away pests, like aphids. Introduce structural elements with shrubs like rhododendron, with evergreen foliage and spring blooms, or cotoneaster, which has cascading branches and berries that attract birds.

Sun-loving herbs that are perfect for growing in your backyard garden, like thyme and oregano add some texture, fragrance, and height variation. Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips or daffodils look great alongside candytuft and ensure that you always have visual interest as the bulbs fade out. To attract some extra pollinators, you can also include Coreopsis or Shasta daises, whose blooms are loved by bees and butterflies.