woodland wildflower

Moss phlox

Phlox subulata

Also known as Creeping Phlox, Moss Pink, Rock Pink

Native to the Southeast and the Northeast

Long Island to Kentucky, south to mountains of North Carolina and Arkansas; sometimes escaping as far northern as Maine

Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry Moisture preference
Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–Jun Flowering time
Height up to 8 in to 20 cm
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A woodland wildflower for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 8 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. It spreads readily, so give it room or a contained spot. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Moss phlox's white flowers bloom March to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws butterflies and moths.

Moss phlox blooms white, pink & purpleFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Butterflies Monarch

also Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Red Admiral, Black Swallowtail +13 more
Painted Lady, Mourning Cloak, American Lady, Spicebush Swallowtail, Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, American Copper, Amblyscirtes hegon, Old World Swallowtail, Nymphalis c-aureum, Chinese Yellow Swallowtail, Japanese Peacock Swallowtail, Spangle Swallowtail, Cynthia cardui
Moths Snowberry Clearwing

also Hummingbird Clearwing, Nessus Sphinx, Bedstraw Hawkmoth +3 more
Grapevine Epimenis Moth, Slender Clearwing, Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Bees Eastern Carpenter Bee

also Western Honey Bee, Orange-legged Furrow Bee, Northern Amber Bumble Bee +2 more
Taurus Mason Bee, Xylocopa virginica virginica
Also visited by
- Flower flies:
  
  Eastern Calligrapher, Long-tailed Aphideater +2 more
  Greater Bee Fly, Helophilus eristaloideus
- Beetles:
  
  Two-spotted Lady Beetle, Anatis halonis +1 more
  Redbud Seed Weevil

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Southeast and the NortheastUnited States (12): AR, DE, KY, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Long Island to Kentucky, south to mountains of North Carolina and Arkansas; sometimes escaping as far northern as MaineThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 3–8 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Dry, sandy or rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: 5.7–8.0The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Soil quality: MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Water use: HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Salinity tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance: LowHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.

Growth & form

Height: up to 8 in (to 20 cm)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~1 ft (0.4 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: RapidA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Shape: ProstrateIts overall silhouette.
Root depth: 8+ in (20+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–JunWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, Pink, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: Capsule; ripens May–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.

Propagation & seed

Cold stratification: Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
Propagation: Container, sprigsHow to start new plants.
Seed spread rate: NoneHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
Vegetative spread: RapidWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.