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Plants Direct USA

Creeping phlox

Phlox subulata · Perennial

Hardiness
Zones 3 to 9
Light
Full sun
Water
Low, drought tolerant once settled
Size
4 to 6 in
Blooms
Early to mid spring
Colors
pink, purple, white, blue
Deer resistantFeeds pollinatorsNative to North AmericaDrought tolerant
Growing tip. Forms a carpet of color on slopes and rock walls. Shear lightly after bloom to keep the mat dense.

When to plant creeping phlox by zone

ZoneMedian last / first frostWhen to plantWinter
3bMay 16 / Sep 25Spring: May 2 to Jun 27
Fall: Jul 17 to Aug 14
Comes back
4aMay 12 / Sep 28Spring: Apr 28 to Jun 23
Fall: Jul 20 to Aug 17
Comes back
4bMay 8 / Oct 1Spring: Apr 24 to Jun 19
Fall: Jul 23 to Aug 20
Comes back
5aMay 3 / Oct 5Spring: Apr 19 to Jun 14
Fall: Jul 27 to Aug 24
Comes back
5bMay 1 / Oct 10Spring: Apr 17 to Jun 12
Fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Comes back
6aApr 29 / Oct 16Spring: Apr 15 to Jun 10
Fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Comes back
6bApr 22 / Oct 22Spring: Apr 8 to Jun 3
Fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Comes back
7aApr 16 / Oct 25Spring: Apr 2 to May 28
Fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Comes back
7bApr 5 / Nov 1Spring: Mar 22 to May 17
Fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Comes back
8aMar 29 / Nov 7Spring: Mar 15 to May 10
Fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Comes back
8bMar 16 / Nov 14Spring: Mar 2 to Apr 27
Fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Comes back
9aMar 2 / Nov 26Spring: Feb 16 to Apr 13
Fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Comes back
9bFeb 1 / Dec 9Spring: Jan 18 to Mar 15
Fall: Sep 30 to Oct 28
Comes back

Zones 10 and warmer have little or no frost. There, plant cool-season plants in fall and warm-season plants from late winter.

Similar perennials

More for your zone: zone 3 perennials, zone 4 perennials, zone 5 perennials, zone 6 perennials, zone 7 perennials, zone 8 perennials, zone 9 perennials.

Frequently asked questions

What zone does creeping phlox grow in?

Creeping phlox is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. Outside that range it struggles with the winter. Find your zone by ZIP code.

How much sun does creeping phlox need?

Full sun. Full sun means at least six hours of direct sun a day; part shade means about three to six.

Hardiness ranges, light and size are typical figures from university extension services and botanic garden plant records; a named variety can differ, so check its tag. Planting dates come from each zone's median frost dates (NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals) and the timing rules in how we check.

Planting reminders

Know when to plant, by email

A short email each season: what to start, what to plant out and when frost is likely. Spring reminders start in February.

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