Snowflake Creeping Phlox

Phlox subulata 'Snowflake'

Nature Hills Nursery

Pure White Pinwheel Blooms Smother Low Mats in Spring, Rebloom in Fall with Deadheading
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 1 ft Tall and Wide
Showy White Blooms From Early Spring to Late Spring
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant

$31⁹⁰

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Out of stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This groundcover thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct light daily to produce its signature carpet of white blooms. While it can tolerate partial shade, you will notice fewer flowers and a more "leggy" growth habit with less sun.
Soil: Aim for well-drained, gritty soil that does not stay soggy. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost or fine gravel to improve drainage, as "wet feet" during the winter is the fastest way to lose this plant.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Phlox twice a week to help the roots knit into the soil. Once established, it is remarkably drought-tolerant, but providing a deep soak during extreme summer heat will prevent the foliage from turning brown or becoming brittle. Inconsistent watering during the spring can lead to a shorter bloom cycle and smaller individual flowers.

Pruning Tips

Snowflake Phlox blooms on old wood, so the best time for a "haircut" is immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Use garden shears to trim the foliage back by about half its height to encourage a dense, lush mat and prevent the center of the plant from becoming woody or bare. This timing allows the plant to set new buds for next year while keeping the evergreen foliage looking tidy all summer.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a thin layer of compost in early spring just as new growth appears. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall, because this encourages tender new growth that can be easily damaged by the first hard frost. A light touch is better than overfeeding, as too much fertilizer often results in more green leaves but fewer white blossoms.

Delivery and Shipping

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.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Evergreen, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Groundcover, Slopes/Erosion Control, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Spreading, Trailing
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green, Other
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Pet Safety	Non-toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Phlox
Botanical Name	Phlox subulata 'Snowflake'
Species	subulata
Cultivar	Snowflake
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

You work hard. At the end of a long day, you want to enjoy your garden. Unfortunately, two things are holding you back - when you get home it's too dark to enjoy being outside and when you get home you're too tired to tend to a complicated garden.

We hear you!

That's why we are very happy to offer Snowflake White Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata 'Snowflake'). This hardy evergreen perennial is one of those 'plant-it-and-forget-it' kinds of plants. Snowy white pinwheel flowers that pollinators adore, smother these perennials in the spring, and with shearing, can bloom again in the fall.

Snowflake is drought tolerant, it doesn't require pruning and it works in just about any soil! It stays low to the ground, providing a fantastic ground cover for sunny spots. That takes care of the "too-tired-to-tend-to-it" problem. But what about the "too-dark-to-enjoy-it" problem? Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 8, these low-growing perennial plants grow 4-6 inches tall but spread 15-18 inches wide!

Planting and Application:

Snowflake White Creeping Phlox is a perfect choice for a Moon Garden! What's that, you say? You've never heard of a moon garden? Well, let us introduce you! Moon Gardens have been around just about as long as cultivated gardens have existed. These colors practically glow in the soft light of the moon or gentle garden lighting allowing you to enjoy them later in the evening after the sun begins to set!

Snowflake White Creeping Phlox creates a carpet of shimmering color, both by day and by night! Use as edging along garden beds and facer plants to brighten a dreary evergreen hedge! Try a few spaced 10-12 inches apart as a weed-blocking groundcover over large areas, or as erosion control on slopes. It is truly spectacular when you let it cascade over rock walls or as spillers over the edges of large containers.

Phlox plants are drought-tolerant, therefore suitable for Xeriscaping, in Pollinator gardens, Rock Gardens, and are recommended for Fire-Wise landscaping!

Pure Snow White Flowers
Pointed Fine-Textured Mat-Forming Leaves
Spring Brilliance For Pollinators
Can Remain Evergreen In Mild Winters
Groundcover, Spillers in Containers, Edging & En Masse

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Often semi to fully evergreen in mild winter climates perennial Moss Phlox thrives in full sun and well-drained soil of any kind! Provide new plants with regular moisture, but once established, Phlox is quite drought-tolerant! Top the soil of your plantings with a 3-4-inch layer of mulch to help combat the sun and drought.

Deadhead or shear as soon as the flowers fade to encourage a rebloom. Once the frost kills back the foliage, trim your Phlox back to the ground in anticipation of new growth to begin anew in the spring.

Full Sun
Low Moisture Needs Once Established
Any Well-Drained Soil
Shear After Flowers Fade & Prune Late Autumn
Deer Seldom Bother Groundcover Phlox

Don't let anything keep you from enjoying the fruits of your hard work - especially in your garden! Buy your Snowflake Creeping Phlox from Nature Hills today!

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Snowflake Creeping Phlox grow well in full sun or partial shade?

Snowflake Creeping Phlox thrives in full sun locations. This drought-tolerant perennial is specifically recommended for sunny spots where it creates excellent groundcover. Plant it in areas that receive 6+ hours of direct sunlight for the best flowering and compact growth habit.

What fertilizer is best for Snowflake Creeping Phlox, and when to apply it?

Snowflake Creeping Phlox thrives without regular fertilization due to its drought-tolerant nature. A light application of balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring before the bloom period will support healthy growth. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance perennial that performs beautifully in zones 3-8.

How do I prune or maintain Snowflake Creeping Phlox after blooming?

Snowflake Creeping Phlox requires minimal maintenance and no regular pruning. After the spring bloom, shear back the flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms in fall. This low-maintenance groundcover thrives on neglect once established.

Is Snowflake Creeping Phlox deer-resistant or pet-friendly?

Snowflake Creeping Phlox is generally deer-resistant due to its fragrant foliage, though hungry deer may occasionally browse it. The plant is considered safe around pets when not consumed in large quantities. Plant it confidently in zones 3-8 as a low-maintenance groundcover that deer typically avoid.

Will Snowflake Creeping Phlox spread aggressively or stay contained?

Snowflake Creeping Phlox spreads at a manageable 15-18 inches wide, making it well-behaved rather than aggressive. This low-growing perennial stays contained while providing excellent ground cover in zones 3-8. Space plants 10-12 inches apart for controlled coverage, available at naturehills.com.

Which shipping zones do you ship Snowflake Creeping Phlox to, and when?

Snowflake Creeping Phlox thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and ships to most locations within these hardy growing zones. Spring and fall are ideal planting times for this drought-tolerant perennial. Check your specific zone and local frost dates to time your order for optimal establishment.

Snowflake Creeping Phlox

Phlox subulata 'Snowflake'