Spring Purple Moss Phlox

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-11 Inches

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Spring Purple Moss Phlox is an adaptable and stunning plant that can thrive in less than ideal conditions while putting on a lovely floral display. Phlox subulata has glossy, narrow, needle-like foliage that forms a thick mat. The leaves create a nice backdrop for the purple flowers that open in late April and engulf that plant during peak blooming.

Phlox makes a wonderful groundcover since the branched stems are dense and inclined to creep. Feature this cultivar in a container or near the top of a retaining wall so that the reaching stems can drape down. Spring Purple Moss Phlox also makes a lovely addition to beds, borders, or mass plantings. Pollinators also enjoy the blooms. Grow this plant as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8.

Spring Purple Moss Phlox Care

Full sun to partial shade is best for the Spring Purple Moss Phlox. This beauty needs rich, moist soil that has good drainage. Water once per week or when the top several inches of soil are dry. Feed Phlox using a balanced fertilizer each spring.

Phlox can become leggy, which can be good if you want the stems to trail.  Trim the stems by up to one-third after the blooms fade if you prefer a compact, bushy look.

Spring Purple Moss Phlox Spacing

The lovely Spring Purple Moss Phlox is a branched, spreading perennial that will grow 4 to 6 inches tall and wide. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart to create a continuous planting.