Creeping Phlox Plant Care: How to Grow Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox is the common name that describes the species Phlox stolonifera. Along with its close relatives, moss phlox (Phlox subulata) and garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), creeping phlox is a semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial known for its use as mat-forming ground cover, its needle-like foliage, and its bright, fragrant flowers. These flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees.

Creeping phlox plants are often used for erosion control as the roots can easily establish themselves in loamy soil. It is drought-tolerant and does best when planted in an area with good drainage. Phlox species are low-maintenance plants and will rapidly spread—which may be ideal or problematic depending on your home garden.

Creeping phlox plants come in many appealing cultivars and varieties.

1. 1. ‘Candy Stripe’: The 'Candy Stripe' cultivar of creeping phlox has beautiful pink and white flowers with a faint stripe down each flower resembling a peppermint candy.
2. 2. ‘Home Fires’: This cultivar also has pink flowers, but they are notably brighter than those on the 'Candy Stripe' variety.
3. 3. ‘Emerald Blue’: This cultivated variety combines deep green leaves with bluish-purple flowers.
4. 4. ‘Emerald Pink’: The 'Emerald Pink' cultivar's pink flowers are so intense that they border on fuschia.
5. 5. Mountain phlox: This is not a creeping phlox cultivar but rather a closely related species known as Phlox austromontana. Indigenous to southwestern parts of North America, it is also a mat-forming ground cover plant with needle-like foliage and beautiful pink flowers.

Once established, creeping phlox plants can thrive with very little care. Here are some key tips to get them started.

1. 1. Plant creeping phlox in the right climate. Creeping phlox does best in USDA hardiness zones five through nine or otherwise temperate climates, which makes it suitable for much of North America.
2. 2. Plant creeping phlox in loamy, well-drained soil. Creeping phlox does not do well in standing water and is drought-tolerant once its roots are established. It is flexible when it comes to soil pH. Acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils all work for both creeping phlox and moss phlox.
3. 3. Give creeping phlox plenty of sunshine. The phlox plant does best in partial shade to full sun. If you plant it in an overly shady spot, you could inhibit its growth rate and mute its flower colors.
4. 4. Give creeping phlox plants adequate spacing. Plant seedlings fifteen to eighteen inches apart so they have enough room to spread.
5. 5. Fertilize creeping phlox once per year. Fertilize your plants in the late winter or early spring, which should lead to phlox blooms by late spring or early summer. The bloom time will extend well into the summer.
6. 6. Prune creeping phlox regularly. A garden phlox can overrun other plants if it goes untamed, so plan to prune your creeping phlox on a somewhat regular basis—especially during growth spurts in the hot summer months.
7. 7. Propagate creeping phlox via division. Creeping phlox propagation is most successful when you dig up the plant (including the root ball) and slice the entire thing in half. Re-plant each half in slightly moist soil, and water it regularly until the roots re-establish themselves.

Creeping phlox grows heartily in USDA hardiness zones five through nine, but its biggest issue tends to be pests and parasites. Infestations from spider mites and powdery mildew are somewhat common, especially when the plants are overwatered. Avoid outbreaks by letting the soil dry out between waterings and pruning back leaves to promote air circulation. If an infestation is bad, wash the foliage with insecticidal soap.

On the flip side, too little water can cause yellowing leaves and too little sunlight can dull flower colors. The best way to find a sweet spot is to plant creeping phlox in a sunny spot with well-draining soil that is occasionally fertilized with organic matter. Water it regularly, but let it dry out between waterings. By spreading a thin layer of mulch around the base of your plants, you can also help the plant retain a bit of extra moisture in the hot summer months.

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