Moss Phlox plant profile
Phlox subulata
A perennial flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Moss Phlox
Moss phlox is a dense, mat-forming native groundcover that blankets itself in pink, lavender, or white flowers in spring (NC State: late April to early May). Plant or divide in spring or fall in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun; cut stems back by half after flowering to keep the mat dense.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Moss Phlox in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 5 to 6
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: nematodes, rabbits.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss Pink, Creeping Phlox)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.