The illustrated growing guide
Creeping Phlox (Moss Phlox)
Phlox subulata
Family Polemoniaceae
Est. zones 3-9
The carpet of color that flows over spring retaining walls and slopes in a solid sheet of pink, blue, or white — a native, drought-proof, semi-evergreen mat that needs only sun and sharp drainage. Shear it lightly after bloom to keep it dense. Not to be confused with tall summer garden phlox; this one hugs the ground in early spring.
Full Sun
Low water
Moderate growth
Native to North America
Attracts butterflies
Attracts bees
From the print shop
The closest print we make
We don’t print Phlox subulata. The closest we have is Phlox pilosa (“Prairie Phlox”) in the Native Missouri Plants collection — the same genus, Phlox, not the same species.
16 designsfrom $21.99white or black groundmatte poster, unframed
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Overview
Will creeping phlox (moss phlox) suit your garden, and what goes wrong.
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what creeping phlox (moss phlox) actually needs.
Hardy inZones 3-9Creeping Phlox (Moss Phlox) at a glance
Common creeping phlox (moss phlox) problems
- Almost none
- Root Rot in wet clay
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Growing
Light, water, soil, propagation and the season’s jobs.
How to grow creeping phlox (moss phlox): light, water & soil
How to plant & propagate creeping phlox (moss phlox)
When to spray creeping phlox (moss phlox)
Growing season. Drainage.
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The year
What creeping phlox (moss phlox) asks for, month by month.
The creeping phlox (moss phlox) year, month by month
BloomWhat each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
The creeping phlox (moss phlox) year as text
- Jan quiet month
- Feb quiet month
- Mar bloom
- Apr bloom
- May quiet month
- Jun quiet month
- Jul quiet month
- Aug quiet month
- Sep quiet month
- Oct quiet month
- Nov quiet month
- Dec quiet month
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
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Ecology & uses
What it does for the garden, and what it is grown for.
Creeping Phlox (Moss Phlox) in the garden system
- Groundcover layer perennial
- Nectary/insectary
- Living mulch
What creeping phlox (moss phlox) is grown for
✓ Not known to be toxic
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
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Cultivars
Named varieties of creeping phlox (moss phlox), ruled as a catalogue.
Best creeping phlox (moss phlox) varieties & cultivars
'Emerald Blue', 'Candy Stripe', 'Scarlet Flame', 'Snowflake' — pinks, blues, whites
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Sources & plant ID
Where the care distinctions come from, and how the plant is filed.
Research basis
Sources behind this profile
No extension citations are attached to creeping phlox (moss phlox)yet. The care figures below come from the library's own catalogue rather than a traced primary source.
Plant ID
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Where to buy
Third-party nurseries — not Story Thyme Farms.
Third-party nurseries, not Story Thyme Farms. Prices are theirs.
Story Thyme Farms may earn a small commission from these links, at no cost to you — it never changes what we recommend.
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Questions
Creeping Phlox (Moss Phlox) questions, answered straight.
Is creeping phlox (moss phlox) safe for kids and pets?
Creeping Phlox (Moss Phlox) is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
How do you propagate creeping phlox (moss phlox)?
Division or seed.
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Elsewhere
Where creeping phlox (moss phlox) sits in the library.
Nasturtium
Juniper
Blue Fescue
Hens and Chicks