{"id":7702,"date":"2026-06-26T09:53:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-creeping-phlox\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T09:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:53:30","slug":"how-to-grow-and-care-for-creeping-phlox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-creeping-phlox\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow and Care for Creeping Phlox"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Both are such similar plants that they are often confused.<\/p>\n

If I really had to choose between the two, I\u2019d say P. subulata<\/em> might just about win out as a ground cover, as it stays shorter and tends to bloom more densely.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

But both options can bring beauty to the garden, when planted under the right conditions.<\/p>\n

Growing only three to eight inches\u00a0tall, but spreading as wide as nine to 24 inches, creeping phlox is an ideal ground cover and companion plant.<\/p>\n

Although it is perfectly at home on flat land, to appreciate this plant in all its colorful glory, it might be best to place it on a slope, where the blooms can be properly seen and enjoyed.<\/p>\n

Slopes also provide an ideal home for creeping phlox for two other reasons:<\/p>\n

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  1. The soil typically drains well on slopes.<\/li>\n
  2. The roots can help to prevent erosion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Both species are also tolerant of black walnuts<\/a><\/strong> and other trees containing juglone.<\/p>\n

    As the name suggests, these plants have a tendency to spread. For some gardeners, this is ideal \u2013 spreading perennials that cover every inch of empty space.<\/p>\n

    But if you prefer well behaved and orderly plants<\/strong><\/a>, creeping phlox might not be right for you.<\/p>\n

    How to Grow<\/h2>\n

    P. stolonifera<\/em> and P. subulata<\/em> are adaptable and versatile and when situated in the right place with the right amount of sun exposure, will thrive without any special care.<\/p>\n

    Neither species is particularly fussy, although they prefer well drained, humus-rich soil.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    Creeping phlox doesn\u2019t like soggy soil, so generally speaking, it\u2019s best to keep watering to a minimum.<\/p>\n

    Even when well established, phlox benefits from watering during especially hot summers or if you live somewhere that gets an average of less than one inch of rain<\/strong><\/a> per week.<\/p>\n

    Both P. stolonifera<\/em> and P. subulata<\/em> take kindly to either a late winter or early spring feeding with a slow release fertilizer or organic plant food, which helps promote strong and vigorous growth.<\/p>\n

    Cultivars to Select<\/h2>\n

    With so many varieties to choose from, there\u2019s no doubt that you can find the right kind to suit your tastes and your garden plans.<\/p>\n

    Generally very hardy and adaptable plants, the most important consideration is probably color.<\/p>\n

    With a variety of vibrant shades of pink, purple, and blue to choose from, this can be a tough decision.<\/p>\n

    Here are a few of my favorites:<\/p>\n

    Candy Stripe<\/h3>\n

    P. subulata<\/em> \u2018Candy Stripe\u2019 is named for its distinctive pink-and-white striped blooms, which resemble candy cane markings on the star-shaped spring flowers.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    \u2018Candy Stripe\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    It grows four to six inches tall and spreads up to 24 inches wide, forming a dense, evergreen mat that puts on a colorful show for three to four weeks in mid to late spring.<\/p>\n

    You can find \u2018Candy Stripe\u2019 available at Burpee<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Drummond\u2019s Pink<\/h3>\n

    \u2018Drummond\u2019s Pink\u2019 is a P. subulata<\/em> cultivar that produces solid bubble-gum pink, fragrant blooms from early to late spring over a dense, evergreen mat.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    \u2018Drummond\u2019s Pink\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    It grows to around 12 inches tall and spreads 12 to 24 inches wide.<\/p>\n

    You can find \u2018Drummond\u2019s Pink\u2019 plants in #1 containers available at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Emerald Blue<\/h3>\n

    Masses of lavender-blue, star-shaped flowers over needle-like evergreen foliage adorn \u2018Emerald Blue\u2019 in mid to late spring, blooming for three to four weeks.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    \u2018Emerald Blue\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    This P. subulata<\/em> cultivar grows four to six inches tall and spreads 12 to 24 inches.<\/p>\n

    You can find \u2018Emerald Blue\u2019 plants available at Burpee<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Scarlet Flame<\/h3>\n

    In mid to late spring, \u2018Scarlet Flame\u2019 produces vivid scarlet-red, star-shaped flowers.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    \u2018Scarlet Flame\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Growing four to six inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches, this P. subulata<\/em> cultivar is one of the more boldly colored varieties available.<\/p>\n

    Find plants in #1 containers available at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Snowflake<\/h3>\n

    For something a bit more delicate, P. subulata<\/em> \u2018Snowflake\u2019 produces pure white, fragrant blooms in early to late spring, with a potential fall rebloom if deadheaded<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    \u2018Snowflake\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    It grows to around 12 inches tall and wide.<\/p>\n

    You can find \u2018Snowflake\u2019 available at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong> in #1 containers.<\/p>\n

    Maintenance<\/h2>\n

    Although not strictly necessary, a bit of trimming from time to time does this plant some good.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    Stems can be cut back at a couple of different times throughout the year.<\/p>\n

    Once after flowering to encourage a second bloom, with an occasional winter cut-back to keep the plant happy, healthy, and raring to go, ready for the following spring.<\/p>\n

    Cutting the stems back like this also encourages their naturally long growth to become shorter and woodier, creating more dense flowering.<\/p>\n

    Propagation<\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s easy to grow P. stolonifera<\/em> and P. subulata<\/em> from seed, cuttings, and transplants.<\/p>\n

    From Seed<\/h3>\n

    From seed, the main thing to remember is to use a potting medium with good drainage, preferably comprised of perlite and coarse sand granules.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    It\u2019s best to seed them about two months before the last frost date. Once the plants start to emerge, it\u2019s important to give them enough sunlight \u2013 around 12 hours a day.<\/p>\n

    From Cuttings<\/h3>\n

    However, it is probably easier to grow from cuttings than it is from seeds.<\/p>\n

    Cuttings, if done right, are a particularly easy option to propagate, as they root easily after a few months.<\/p>\n

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    \"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    All you need to do is cut a roughly six-inch-long section, either from a rooted stem or a lateral shoot near the tip.<\/p>\n

    Make sure there\u2019s at least one leaf and no flowers on the cutting. Always make cuttings with a clean, sharp tool to prevent infection.<\/p>\n

    Creeping phlox roots so well that it doesn\u2019t even require rooting hormone, although this product will help speed along the process if you\u2019re keen to ensure success.<\/p>\n

    Just place the cuttings in a potting mixture with good drainage, using perlite and\/or coarse sand, and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n