Yes, Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox can be divided every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and create new plants. Best timing is early spring before blooming or fall after flowering ends. Divide the spreading mat into sections with roots attached, then replant immediately. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy starter plants that establish quickly.

Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox

Name: Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
SKU: 14362
Price: 28.47 USD
Availability: InStock

Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe'

Nature Hills Nursery

$28⁴⁷

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In Stock

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This groundcover performs best in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct light daily to produce its signature carpet of striped blooms. While it can handle some afternoon shade in hotter climates, too much shade results in leggy growth and significantly fewer flowers.
Soil: Choose a spot with excellent drainage because "wet feet" will lead to root rot. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost or coarse sand to create a grittier texture that mimics its native rocky habitat.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Candy Stripe Phlox twice a week to help the roots knit into the soil. Once established, this plant is remarkably drought tolerant, though providing a deep soak during extreme summer heat prevents the foliage from turning brown or crispy. If watering is inconsistent during the spring, you may see a shorter blooming window and less vibrant color contrast on the petals.

Pruning Tips

This plant blooms on old wood, so the best time to prune is immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Use garden shears to trim back the foliage by about half, which acts like a refreshing haircut that encourages dense, lush new growth and prevents the center of the mound from becoming woody or bare. This timing ensures you don't accidentally snip off next year's flower buds, which begin forming later in the summer.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer early in the spring just as new green growth appears to fuel the upcoming bloom cycle. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this stimulates tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late season surge makes the plant much more susceptible to winter damage and cold stress.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

The easy-going Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe') is an ideal ground cover with blanketing masses of tiny, white flowers with a pink mid-stripe and a thick mat of semi-evergreen foliage!

Initially blooming from April to May, this Phlox variety has a plant height of 6" and a spread of 12-18" once mature. But after some quick deadheading as the blooms fade, you'll encourage a rebloom later in the growing season! Much to the delight of your pollinators and Hummingbirds in search of a nectar resource twice a year!

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 9, this easy-to-grow perennial won't be the only one to completely fall in love with this beauty, but at least deer will not be too interested. This semi-to-fully evergreen creeping Phlox shines for many weeks in early spring...lavishly covered with petite star-shaped flowers that are adored by all. Phlox is space-saving and stays snug to the ground, nestling softly into its planting place!

Planting and Application:

These pinwheels are magnificent additions to any perennial garden. You can use Candy Stripe Phlox in Rock Gardens, as a ground covering spread over curbs and short retaining walls, or in difficult edges of dry streambeds or hard-to-mow hillsides! Perfect in more xeric conditions, Fire-Wise defensible plans, and as gorgeous erosion control!

Add some pep to your foundation plantings with an incredible "carpet of color". These low-growing lovelies are perfect for garden and pathway edging! Use as facer plants to hide the bare, leggier stems of larger trees and shrubs! The brilliant skirting of fine-textured flowers and foliage adds a finishing touch to your garden design!

These spreading Phlox are perfect as en masse blankets that cover the ground like living mulch. Plant Creeping Phlox near the base of your hedges on the side that stays sunny. If needed, add extra soil to create a planting pocket for these small, spreading plants to flourish in.

Try some in containers on your sunny patio as fillers and spillers, and in mixed planters, even sunny window boxes too!

Blankets of Fine-Textured Foliage & Tiny Flowers
White Petals With Bold Pink Stripe
Mat-Forming Low-Growing Perennials
Can Be Semi-Evergreen in Mild Winters
Full Sun Groundcover, Erosion, En Masse, Containers & Edging!

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Select a planting site in full sun with well-drained, enriched soil. For best results, supply these hardy perennials with supplemental water on a regular basis and a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch. Cold-hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 8, you’ll enjoy year-round greenery in the mild winters of zones 7 and 8. Phlox are unfussy about soil type and pH and are the perfect choice for low-maintenance landscapes and new gardeners. Carpet Phlox even displays some tolerance to salt, as well!

Deadhead by sheering Creeping Phlox immediately after the flowers fade and you may just enjoy a rebloom later in the growing season! The Phlox clumps may be divided every 2 to 3 years in early spring, to promote healthy growth. It's recommended to prune in the summer, right after spring flowering is finished, to get a lovely second rebloom in the fall. The Candy Stripe Groundcover Phlox can handle a variety of climate extremes and works in even the coldest climates, up to growing zone 3.

Full Sun
Moderate Regular Moisture & Well-Drained Soil
Can Remain Evergreen in Mild Winters
Prune/Shear After Flowering
Resistant, Adaptable & Easy to Grow!

The lovely Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox is so easy to grow and can be used in so many applications! Order your very own Candy Stripes for your garden from Nature Hills today before it's too late!

Botanical Name

Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe'
Class
- Magnoliopsida
Species

subulata
Cultivar

Candy Stripe
Growing Zones

3-9
Height

1 ft
Width

2 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Pink
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
Fall Color

Semi-Evergreen
Native

Yes
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Spring, Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 3-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Creeping Phlox spread?

Yes, Creeping Phlox spreads to form dense mats 12-18 inches wide. This low-growing perennial stays just 6 inches tall while creating excellent ground cover. Plant individual specimens 12-18 inches apart to allow for natural spreading and full coverage within a few seasons.

What are the hardiness zones?

Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox thrives in USDA zones 3-9, making it adaptable to most North American climates. This hardy perennial handles both cold winters and hot summers with ease. Shop at Nature Hills for reliable zone-tested plants.

Should you deadhead Creeping Phlox?

Yes, deadheading Creeping Phlox after the initial spring bloom encourages a second flowering later in the season. Simply remove the faded flowers once the April-May bloom period ends. This quick maintenance doubles your nectar source for pollinators and hummingbirds throughout the growing season.

How do you care for it after flowering?

Deadhead faded blooms quickly to encourage a second flush of flowers later in the growing season. This simple maintenance step will reward you with another display of the white and pink striped blooms. Cut back spent flower stems to keep the 6" tall mat tidy and promote healthy foliage.

Can it be divided?

Yes, Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox can be divided every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and create new plants. Best timing is early spring before blooming or fall after flowering ends. Divide the spreading mat into sections with roots attached, then replant immediately. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy starter plants that establish quickly.