Creeping phlox grows best in regions with moderate temperatures, full sun, and rich, moist soil.
Creeping Phlox Care
Here are the requirements to successfully grow low-maintenance creeping phlox.
Light
This plant grows best infull sun to partial shade.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Too much shade can impede flower production.
Soil
Creeping phlox prefers soil that is rich in organic matter.
It likes a slightly acidic soil pH but also can tolerate neutral and slightly alkaline soil.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Moreover, it needs a well-drained soil.
Unless you have rainfall, it will generally need watering weekly, especially during the heat of the summer.
Temperature and Humidity
Creeping phlox plants are fairly hardy in their growing zones.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Moreover, humidity is typically not an issue for the plants.
Feed it with a general slow-release fertilizer suitable for flowering plants, following label instructions.
This also will promote denser foliage, enhancing the phlox’s beauty as a ground cover.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Propagating Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox is best propagated via division.
Typically, you might divide a plant every two to three years without seriously weakening it.
These plants are alsosusceptible to slugsand foliar nematodes in wet, humid weather.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Though less susceptible, maintain good air circulation to prevent an onslaught ofpowdery mildew.
And it will stay in bloom for several weeks.
What Do Creeping Phlox Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Creeping phlox produces profuse clusters of sweetly fragrant flowers.
The five-petal flowers have rounded, notched lobes, and they are overall fairly flat.
The flowers attract butterflies and otherpollinators.
Common Problems
Creeping phlox isn’t prone to many problems when grown in the conditions it likes.
However, an improper environment can result in some common issues.
The plant may need to be moved if it’s not in a suitable condition.
Provide proper airflow and pull and properly dispose of affected plants with root rot.
Warning
Do not compost any plant that has been affected by root rot or other diseases.
Creeping phlox helps with soil erosion when planted on slopes and hills.
Yes, creeping phlox is a perennial, meaning it will grow back year after year.
North Carolina State Extension.
