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How to Grow and Care for Creeping Phlox

creeping phlox

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is a low-growing, mat-forming plant that is often seen spreading as a ground cover, in rock gardens, and even in crevices of stone walls. It blooms in the late spring to summer with clusters of fragrant, five-petal flowers that stretch almost an inch across. These flowers tend to attract butterflies and other pollinators to a garden. And after they’re done blooming, the creeping phlox foliage still remains green and attractive for much of the year before dying back in the winter. Plant your creeping phlox in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. The plant has a moderate growth rate. 

Common Name Creeping phlox, moss phlox, star rock phlox
Botanical Name Phlox stolonifera
Family Polemoniaceae
Plant Type Herbaceous, perennial
Mature Size 6–12 in. tall, 9–18 in. wide
Sun Exposure Full, partial
Soil Type Loamy, well-drained
Soil pH Acidic, neutral, alkaline
Bloom Time Spring, summer
Flower Color Purple, pink, white
Hardiness Zones 5–9, USA
Native Area North America

Creeping Phlox Care

Creeping phlox is a fairly low-maintenance plant. It requires watering if you have a week or two without rainfall, along with an annual feeding. Plus, mature plants might need a bit of pruning maintenance to keep them looking tidy unless you'd like for your phlox to naturally spread and blanket a large area.

As with many ground covers, grass and weeds growing up through the phlox can be a nuisance. And they will compete with your phlox for soil nutrients and moisture. It's best to start managing weeds early in the spring before the phlox blooms and its foliage is at its fullest. Hand-pulling is the most effective method for removing weeds. If you let the weeds get out of control, it might be easiest to dig up the phlox (keeping its roots intact), clear the area of grass and weeds, and then replant the phlox.

closeup of phlox

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

creeping phlox

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

bright pink phlox

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

white creeping phlox

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Light

This plant grows best in full sun to partial shade. Too much shade can impede flower production.

Soil

Creeping phlox likes soil that is rich in organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH but also can tolerate neutral and slightly alkaline soil. Moreover, it needs a well-drained soil.

Water

This plant requires a moderate amount of soil moisture, though mature plants do have some drought tolerance. Unless you have rainfall, it will generally need watering weekly, especially during the heat of the summer. 

Temperature and Humidity

Creeping phlox plants are fairly hardy in their growing zones. They tolerate heat well and can handle some frost, though prolonged exposure to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the plants. Moreover, humidity is typically not an issue for the plants.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing in the late winter or early spring will promote growth and support a more robust bloom for your creeping phlox. Feed it with a general slow-release fertilizer suitable for flowering plants, following label instructions.

Types of Creeping Phlox

There are many varieties of creeping phlox, including:

  • Phlox stolonifera ‘Fran’s Purple’: This phlox features deep green leaves and rich purple flowers.
  • Phlox stolonifera ‘Home Fires’: Bright pink flowers adorn this variety.
  • Phlox stolonifera ‘Pink Ridge’: This variety has flowers that are similar in color to ‘Home Fires’.
  • Phlox stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’: Blue-purple flowers are featured on this plant.

Pruning

Pruning is optional on these plants. After the blooming period is over, you can trim back the foliage to create a neater form. This also will promote denser foliage, enhancing the phlox's beauty as a ground cover. Alternatively, you can skip the pruning and let the plants grow naturally.

Propagating Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox is best propagated via division. Not only is this a cost-effective way to get a new plant, but it also helps to rejuvenate mature and overgrown phlox. Typically, you can divide a plant every two to three years without seriously weakening it. Here's how:

  1. Dig up the entire plant immediately after it's done blooming, being careful to keep the root ball intact.
  2. Cut through the roots with a sterile, sharp spade to divide them roughly in half.
  3. Replant each half in an appropriate growing site, and water to lightly moisten the soil.

Common Pests

Creeping phlox is less susceptible to the powdery mildew that plagues other phlox species, but spider mites can be an issue is hot, dry climates. Insecticidal soaps are often helpful for this problem. Another option is to spray the plants regularly with a hard stream of water to dislodge the mites and keep them under control.

These plants also can be susceptible to foliar nematodes in wet, humid weather. Nematodes cause lesions on the leaves of the plants that turn brown and then black. These soil organisms are hard to control. So diseased plants must be removed and destroyed, and the ground should be kept clean of debris.

How to Get Creeping Phlox to Bloom

Creeping phlox will start blooming in the late spring to early summer, depending on its climate. And it will stay in bloom for several weeks with profuse clusters of sweetly fragrant flowers. The five-petal flowers have rounded, notched lobes, and they are overall fairly flat.

Proper light conditions and a regular fertilization schedule will encourage the best blooming on creeping phlox year after year. You do not need to deadhead these plants (remove the spent blooms), though in some cases this can extend the blooming period. Don't do any pruning on your phlox until it's done blooming to avoid removing the flower buds.

Common Problems

Creeping phlox isn't prone to many problems when grown in the conditions it likes. But an improper environment can result in some common issues.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellowing foliage can be a sign of multiple issues, including diseases. But often it's an environmental issue, especially too little light and overwatering. Watch your phlox throughout the day to make sure it's not being shaded for too long. And make sure it has adequate soil drainage. The plant might need to be moved if it's not in suitable conditions.

Poor Blooming

Environmental issues also can result in poor blooming on a creeping phlox plant, especially too little light. Also, the soil might be too high in nitrogen, which promotes foliage growth at the expense of flower buds. In addition, if flowering has diminished on a mature plant, that's often a sign it needs to be divided to become rejuvenated and bloom profusely again.

FAQ
  • Does creeping phlox like sun or shade?

    Creeping phlox prefers full sun or partial shade, meaning at least roughly four hours of direct sunlight on most days.

  • Is creeping phlox easy to grow?

    Creeping phlox is easy to grow and care for, requiring fairly regular watering and minimal feeding and pruning.

  • How fast does creeping phlox grow?

    Creeping phlox has a moderate growth rate and will spread to form a mat over the ground.