How to Grow Phlox Subulata (Creeping phlox)

Phlox subulata, most commonly called creeping phlox makes a stunning addition to any garden or yard. With their spreading nature, you can plant a few creeping phlox plants, provide them with proper care, and then watch, year after year, as the perennial plants slowly take over your yard, creating a carpet of vibrant color. Here we’ll take you through everything you need to know about how to grow Phlox subulata flowers at home including planting, soil considerations, watering, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, and pest control. 

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How to Grow Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox) – The Essentials:

Botanical Name:	Phlox subulata
Also Known As:	Creeping phlox, moss phlox, mountain phlox, or moss pink
Hardiness Zones:	4 to 9
Flowering Months:	March through May
Growing Difficulty:	Easy to grow in the right conditions. Requires some moderate maintenance.
Type of Plant:	Herbaceous, evergreen, spreading perennial
Light Requirements:	Full sun or bright, direct light. Prefers partial shade in areas with particularly hot summers.
Temp & Humidity:	Produces flowers at around 60°F, enters dormancy at 35°F to 44°F and tolerates winter temperatures down to -20°F. Prefers low to moderate humidity.
Watering Needs:	During the spring and summer, water when rainfall is less than 1″ per week. Use a soaker hose to avoid wetting the plant’s leaves and thoroughly soak the soil. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again.
Soil Preferences:	Well-draining and slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5 to 8)
Feeding:	In the garden, apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in late winter or spring. In containers, fertilize once in early spring and again in summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer pellets.
Growth Expectations:	Mature plants achieve a 1 to 2-foot spread and are about 3 to 6 inches tall.
Toxicity:	Non-toxic to humans and pets

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About Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)

Creeping Phlox Taxonomy

Phlox subulata is one of 67 species of flowering plants that belong to the Phlox genus in the Polemoniaceae plant family.

Origins of Creeping Phlox

Phlox subulata is native to the eastern and central regions of the United States.

Botanical Characteristics

Creeping phlox is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial that has hairy, long, and narrow leaves. The plants grow with a spreading or creeping habit that forms cushions, clumps, or mats.

Creeping phlox has petite, five-petaled flowers that bloom in shades of mauve, rose, blue, white, and pink. When in bloom, the flowers of Phlox subulata create a carpet of color.

Uses and Benefits of Creeping Phlox

Pollinators

Since Phlox subulata is native to the United States, it provides a strong attraction to local pollinators. Planting creeping phlox in your garden will draw in butterflies, hummingbirds, honey bees, bumblebees, moths, and more.

Medicinal Uses

In the past, Native American tribes medicinally used several species of phlox, including Phlox subulata. The entire plant was brewed to make tea to calm and soothe gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, the leaves were steeped and applied topically to treat skin rashes, and the roots were also steeped to be used as an eyewash.

Symbolism and Flower Language

Phlox flowers symbolize unity, harmony, compatibility, partnership, commitment, and agreement.

In the Victorian language of flowers, a gift of phlox could be interpreted as a public display of affection or as a marriage proposal. Fragrant phlox symbolized a wish for sweet dreams.

When Does Creeping Phlox Bloom, and How Long Is the Flowering Season?

Creeping phlox blooms in early spring, starting as early as March and continues to bloom through late spring until late May or early June.

Phlox subulata Growth Expectations

Phlox subulata grows about 1 inch per month, reaching maturity in two or three growing seasons. At maturity, creeping phlox can grow to be about 1 to 2 feet across and between 3 and 6 inches tall.

Companion Plants for Creeping Phlox in the Garden

When selecting companion plants for growing alongside creeping phlox in your garden, choose plants that prefer similar growing conditions — full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Additionally, look for taller species that can create a backdrop behind creeping phlox’s short silhouette.

Popular creeping phlox companion plants include:

• Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinth)
• Narcissus ‘Hawera’ (Triandrus Daffodils
• Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem)
• Tulipa clusiana ‘Lady Jane’ (Botanical Tulip)
• Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears)

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How to Grow Phlox Subulata

The Best Location for Planting Phlox Subulata

For the best blooms, plant creeping phlox in a spot that receives lots of bright, direct sunlight. In climates where springs and summers are particularly hot, a bit of dappled shade is okay.

In addition to boarders, beds, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and containers, they’re perfect plants for any place where you’d like a colorful ground cover.

The Best Time to Plant Phlox Subulata

Plant Phlox subulata in spring after the danger of the last frost of winter has passed.

Growing Creeping Phlox From Seed vs. Planting Nursery Plants

Growing creeping phlox from seeds requires a very long process that can take up to two or three years until the plants are ready to be transplanted into the ground.

If you want a garden that looks stunning this year and even better next, it’s best to purchase young creeping phlox plants from a nursery to transplant into your garden.

What to Do Before Planting

Before planting, scope out a good location for your creeping phlox in your garden. Consider the space you have and the size of mature Phlox subulata plants before deciding how many plants you will need.

Be sure you have a hand shovel or trowel, slow-release fertilizer pellets or organic compost, and sand or perlite if your soil retains lots of moisture.

What’s the Best Soil for Creeping Phlox?

Creeping phlox is prone to root rot and fungus in overly moist soil. The best potting soil for Phlox subulata is rich and well-draining soil that contains sand, bark, or perlite.

Creeping phlox thrives in mildly acidic to neutral soil with a pH ranging from 5 to 8.

How to Plant Creeping Phlox

If planting in a container, choose one that is well-draining and about 2 to 4 inches larger than your plant.

To plant creeping phlox in the ground, find a spot 1 to 2 feet in diameter and dig a hole that is deep and large enough to accommodate the plant’s entire root ball. When placed in the hole, the top of the root ball should be in line with the top of the ground (or the top of the soil level in a container).

Create an ideal environment for your creeping phlox by ensuring the soil immediately surrounding the plant is well-draining and rich by mixing a combination of potting soil, mulch, and sand or perlite. You can also add balanced, slow-release fertilizer pellets to the mixture.

Creeping Phlox Light Preferences

Creeping phlox thrives in bright, direct sunlight. In full sun, these plants will produce the most beautiful flowers.

In particularly hot climates, creeping phlox can still grow beautifully in partial shade that will protect them from the hottest part of the day.

Temperature and Humidity

Creeping phlox does not fare well in high humidity and overly moist conditions. These plants are slightly drought tolerant and prefer low to moderate humidity.

Phlox subulata blooms at average temperatures of about 60°F. These plants enter dormancy between 35°F and 44°F, and they can survive winter temperatures down to -20°F.

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How to Care for Phlox Subulata

Watering Phlox Subulata

Water creeping phlox in the spring and summer when weekly rainfall averages less than 1 inch.

To water, use a soaker hose or watering can that will allow you to apply water directly to the soil, avoiding the plant’s leaves, if possible. Water until the soil is thoroughly moist and saturated. Then allow the soil to dry completely before watering again.

How, When, and Why to Fertilize Creeping Phlox

Fertilizer provides plants with the nutrients they need to grow and create beautiful flower blossoms.

While creeping phlox plants, growing in the ground, will usually do well without regular fertilizing, you can apply compost or mulch at the end of the season or in early spring to create a more rich environment.

If growing in containers, fertilize in the spring and again in the summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer or mix in slow-release fertilizer pellets at the time of potting.

Pruning and Cutting Back Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox should be pruned and cut back to control growth, maintain shape, and encourage healthy growth the following year.

You can either cut back stems immediately after blossoms are spent to prevent the spreading of seeds or you can wait until the fall. When cutting back creeping phlox in fall, trim back 1/2 the length of the stems or almost to the ground.

This protects the plant during winter and encourages new growth in spring.

Propagating Phlox Subulata

Phlox subulata is self-propagating in that they spread seeds after blossoming. However, you can propagate the plants yourself via root division.

To propagate a creeping phlox, simply dig up the plant’s root ball in the early spring, break or cut it into two halves (you can use sterile pruning shears for a clean cut), and replant each half separately.

Overwintering Phlox Subulata

To overwinter creeping phlox, prune back the stems in late summer or early fall.

Creeping phlox can survive the winter without any special care in growing zones 4 to 9. If you live in zone 4 or lower, protect your plants’ roots by spreading a layer of mulch over the plants.

When and How to Repot Phlox Subulata Container Plants

A creeping phlox growing in a container usually needs to be divided and repotted every 2 to 4 years. The best time to do this is in the early spring or the fall.

To start, gently tease your plant loose from its container and remove it. Loosen as much soil as you can from the plant’s root ball. If separating, divide the plant into two equal portions. One can return to the original pot, and you can plant the other in another well-draining pot of a similar size.

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Common Phlox subulata Problems and How to Fix Them

Signs of Problems in Creeping Phlox

• Powdery Substance on Plants – This is a sign of mildew fungus growing. It can affect plants that are overly moist or don’t have proper air circulation. Reduce watering frequency. Wash leaves with a solution of baking soda, mild liquid soap, and water.
• Few or No Flowers – Creeping phlox needs at least 6 hours of full sun daily to bloom properly. Mildew can also stunt flowers.
• Drooping Leaves – Usually occurs due to overwatering. Check soil drainage and reduce watering frequency.
• Wilted or Crisp Foliage – This is a sign of not enough moisture. Although creeping phlox is somewhat drought-tolerant, they prefer evenly moist soil. Increase your watering frequency.

Pests and Diseases

• Spider Mites – The underside of leaves will have a bronzed, yellowed, or speckled appearance. Treat leaves with horticultural oil or spider mite pesticide.
• Phlox Bugs – Curled and yellowed leaves indicate the presence of phlox bugs. Treat plants with horticultural soap or oil and clean up plant debris throughout the year.
• Foliar Nematodes – Signs of these worms include distorted growth and oddly shaped leaves and stems. Treat plants with a specially formulated pesticide solution.

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Essential Tools for Growing Creeping Phlox

• Moisture meter or soil probe
• Watering can
• Soaker hose
• Cutting shears or secateurs
• Balanced slow-release fertilizer pellets and/or water-soluble liquid fertilizer
• Sand or perlite

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A Carpet of Color for Spring

Creeping phlox makes a wonderful addition to any garden. With their spreading habit and a teeny bit of effort from you, just a few plants can create a veritable carpet of color in your yard after only a few years!

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Growing Phlox Subulata FAQs

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