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Polemoniaceae
Moss Phlox
Phlox subulata
Sweet dreams, harmony, agreement.
- Family
- Polemoniaceae
- Genus
- Phlox
- Native to
- Eastern and central United States
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- Evergreen ground cover
- Height
- 10–15 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sharply drained, sandy
- Water
- Low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- 3–9
- Lifespan
- Long-lived perennial
Did you know
- Moss phlox blankets entire hillsides in pink, purple, and white during spring — its spectacular mass blooming is one of the great seasonal sights of Appalachian roadsides.
- The needle-shaped leaves stay green all winter, forming dense mats that look almost like moss — hence the name.
- It's also called 'creeping phlox', 'thrift', or 'mountain phlox', and is one of the most popular ground covers for sunny slopes and rock walls.
- Each tiny five-petaled flower is shaped like a perfect star, and a healthy plant can produce thousands of blooms in a two-week display.
- Moss phlox is a critical early-spring nectar source for native bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths.
Color meanings
Pink
Quiet harmony