Explore 20 small white flowers for your garden with names, pictures, bloom times, and expert care tips. Perfect for borders, containers, and shade gardens.
White flowers bring elegance and tranquility to any garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, incorporating small white flowers can add charm and versatility to your landscape. Here’s a curated list of 20 small white flowers, complete with names, descriptions, and care tips.
1. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
- Description: Low-growing annual with a dense mat of tiny white flowers.
- Height: 3–6 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Care Tips: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; prefers well-drained soil. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming.
2. Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata)
- Description: Delicate clusters of tiny white flowers, often used in floral arrangements.
- Height: 24–36 inches
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
3. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
- Description: Evergreen perennial with clusters of white flowers.
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; suitable for rock gardens and borders.
4. White Alyssum (Alyssum montanum)
- Description: Fragrant white flowers that form dense mats.
- Height: 3–6 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring to summer
- Care Tips: Thrives in full sun; tolerates poor soil conditions.
5. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Description: Fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers on arching stems.
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Care Tips: Prefers partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil. Avoid planting in areas with heavy foot traffic.
6. Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
- Description: Early spring bloomer with nodding white flowers.
- Height: 3–6 inches
- Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
- Care Tips: Plant bulbs in well-drained soil; naturalizes over time.
7. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
- Description: Classic white daisy with a yellow center.
- Height: 18–36 inches
- Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
8. White Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
- Description: Elegant, trumpet-shaped white flowers.
- Height: 18–24 inches
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
- Care Tips: Prefers partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil. Protect from frost in colder climates.
9. White Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)
- Description: Fragrant white flowers with a pinkish hue.
- Height: 10–15 feet (vine)
- Bloom Time: Winter to early spring
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil. Suitable for trellises or fences.
10. White Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
- Description: Clusters of small white flowers with a sweet fragrance.
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun; well-drained soil. Regular watering promotes continuous blooming.
11. White Petunia (Petunia spp.)
- Description: Vibrant white flowers with a soft fragrance.
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun; well-drained soil. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms.
12. White Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
- Description: Shade-loving plant with bright white flowers.
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Care Tips: Prefers partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering is essential.
13. White Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)
- Description: Glossy green leaves with white, waxy flowers.
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Care Tips: Prefers partial shade; well-drained soil. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.
14. White Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
- Description: Pendulous white flowers with a hint of pink.
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Care Tips: Prefers partial shade; moist, well-drained soil. Regular pruning promotes bushier growth.
15. White Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
- Description: Heart-shaped white flowers on arching stems.
- Height: 24–36 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Care Tips: Prefers partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil. Avoid disturbing roots once established.
16. White Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
- Description: Unique white flowers with spurred petals.
- Height: 18–24 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Care Tips: Prefers partial shade; well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
17. White Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Description: Tall spikes of tubular white flowers.
- Height: 36–48 inches
- Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
- Care Tips: Prefers partial shade; well-drained soil. Tolerates a range of soil types.
18. White Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
- Description: Arching stems with heart-shaped white flowers.
- Height: 24–36 inches
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Care Tips: Prefers partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil. Avoid disturbing roots once established.
19. White Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
- Description: Fragrant white flowers on climbing vines.
- Height: Up to 20 feet
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun; well-drained soil. Regular pruning maintains shape and encourages blooming.
20. White Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)
- Description: Long clusters of white, fragrant flowers.
- Height: Up to 30 feet
- Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
- Ideal For: Pergolas, arbors, and large trellises
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; provide strong support for climbing; prune after flowering to maintain shape (missouribotanicalgarden.org)
How to Plant and Care for Small White Flowers
1. Soil Preparation
- Ensure soil is well-draining to prevent root rot.
- Mix in compost or organic fertilizer to provide nutrients.
- Check pH for specific plants; many prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil.
2. Sunlight Requirements
- Most small white flowers need full sun (6–8 hours/day).
- Shade-tolerant species include Lily of the Valley, Camellias, and Impatiens.
3. Planting Tips
- Space plants according to mature size to prevent overcrowding.
- Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs together.
- Plant in raised beds or containers if soil drainage is poor.
4. Watering Guidelines
- Water young plants daily until established.
- Mature plants generally need 1 inch of water per week.
- Use mulch to retain moisture and reduce weed growth.
5. Fertilizing Small White Flowers
- Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) monthly during growing season.
- Use slow-release fertilizers for perennials like Shasta Daisy and Peonies.
- Avoid over-fertilization, which can reduce flower production.
6. Pruning and Deadheading
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowering.
- Prune perennials after blooming to maintain shape and remove dead stems.
- Vine plants like Jasmine and Wisteria benefit from regular trimming.
7. Container Gardening Tips
- Use pots with drainage holes and high-quality potting soil.
- Group smaller plants like Alyssum or Sweet Alyssum in decorative containers.
- Rotate containers for even sunlight exposure.
8. Pest and Disease Management
- Watch for aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew.
- Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap for organic control.
- Ensure good air circulation around plants to prevent fungal issues.
Best Small White Flowers for Specific Uses
- Borders and Edging: Sweet Alyssum, Candytuft, White Alyssum
- Cut Flowers: Gypsophila, Peonies, Calla Lilies
- Shade Gardens: Lily of the Valley, Impatiens, Camellias
- Containers: Sweet Alyssum, White Heliotrope, Petunias
- Vines and Trellises: White Jasmine, White Wisteria
White Flower Plant Identification Tips
- Observe leaf shape, flower clusters, and bloom time.
- Note plant height and growth habit; some are groundcover, others climbers.
- Use online resources like Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder for accurate identification.
- Keep a garden journal to record flowering patterns, growth, and care instructions.
Internal Resources for Your Garden
- Guide to Growing Gypsophila in Your Garden
- Top 15 White Flowers for Containers
- How to Care for Sweet Alyssum
- White Flower Names for Garden Landscaping
- Best Small Flowers for Pots
Tips from My 10 Years of Gardening Experience
- Start small: Plant a few varieties at first to learn their care needs.
- Observe your garden: Note sun patterns and soil moisture levels.
- Mix bloom times: Combine early, mid, and late-season bloomers for year-round color.
- Use companion planting: Some small white flowers attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
- Experiment with containers: Many small white flowers thrive in pots, allowing mobility and decorative flexibility.
