How much sun does Small Alison need?

Small Alison grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Small Alison bloom?

Small Alison blooms in April, May, and June.

What pollinators does Small Alison attract?

Small Alison draws bees and beetles.

Is Small Alison HOA-friendly?

Small Alison takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Small Alison

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Alyssum alyssoides

Last reviewed: August 2026

Small Alison (Alyssum alyssoides) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 3"–8" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Native alternatives to Small Alison

Small Alison is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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Small alison is a low-growing annual wildflower that forms compact mats of small, narrow leaves topped with tiny white flower clusters in spring and early summer. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and poor soils, making it useful for challenging growing conditions. It completes its lifecycle quickly, typically finishing by midsummer.

In an HOA neighborhood

Small Alison takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very small flowers may appear weedy to HOAs
Dies back completely by midsummer leaving gaps
Annual nature requires replanting or creates bare patches

Wildlife value

The small white flowers attract native bees and beneficial beetles during the spring blooming period. As an annual, it provides early season nectar when few other plants are flowering.

Common questions

How much sun does Small Alison need?: Small Alison grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Small Alison bloom?: Small Alison blooms in April, May, and June.
Is Small Alison toxic to dogs?: Small Alison is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Small Alison toxic to cats?: Small Alison is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
What pollinators does Small Alison attract?: Small Alison draws bees and beetles.
Is Small Alison HOA-friendly?: Small Alison takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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