How To Propagate Creeping Phlox? Complete Guide for Beginners

Creeping phlox can be propagated by cuttings or division if you want to know how. As a ground cover or as an ornamental plant in rock gardens and pots, knowing how to grow creeping phlox is essential. Creeping phlox, on the other hand, may be grown in zones 3 to 9, therefore you’re not restricted in where you can spread this plant.

The greenhouse is, of course, the preferred location for propagating creeping phlox and other plants in general since it provides a more controlled environment for growth. When starting plants indoors, the plants will be protected from the harsh and variable conditions of the outside world. There should be no issues with moving the creeping phlox plants into the garden once they are strong enough to endure the outside difficulties of animal and drought tolerance.

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Time to Get Growing!

Your garden and your heart will be enchanted by the brilliant blossoms and easygoing character of this gorgeous perennial, no matter which variety you choose!

This cultivar is perfect for a variety of purposes, including covering a slope, attracting pollinators, and adding a burst of color to a shaded area. You’ll be happy you went with these lovely blossoms because they’re low-maintenance.

Are there any that you particularly enjoy? Do you have any questions that we didn’t cover here? Let us know if you have any questions or concerns in the comments area below!

How to Ensure an Influx of Phlox

Are there any that you particularly enjoy? Do you have any questions that we didn’t cover here? Let us know if you have any questions or concerns in the comments area below!

What is your favorite flavor? Please let us know if there are any additional queries you may have. We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below, so please do!

However, cuttings or transplants may be easier to cultivate than seeds. Fortunately, nurseries have this shrub, or you can borrow cuttings from a friend.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance option, this is the plant for you.

The most important consideration is how far apart you should space your plants, with a recommended gap of 15 to 18 inches between each.

With long, leggy runners, creeping phlox crawls along the ground and spreads. Plant in staggered rows so that each plant has ample room to grow into the space surrounding it.

Just keep the top of the root ball level with the ground, give each plant a thorough first soak, and you’ll be good to go. There’s nothing too hard or technical about planting.

Growing Tips

Plants like P. stolonifera and P. subulata, which are adaptive and versatile, will thrive in the proper location with the right amount of light exposure.

It is possible to aid these blossoms in their growth, though.

Late winter or early spring fertilization with a slow-release fertilizer or organic plant food is beneficial for both P. stolonifera and P. subulata.

Keep in mind that it prefers dry soil, so watering should be kept to a minimum.

Even if phlox is well-established, it will benefit from an extra watering in particularly hot summers or if you live somewhere that gets less than 1 inch of rain per week on average.

Maintenance

Trimming is beneficial to this plant, but it is not necessarily necessary.

Once after flowering to encourage a second bloom, and occasionally throughout the winter to maintain the plant healthy and ready for spring, stems can be cut back throughout the year.

By reducing the length of the stems, you encourage them to become shorter and woodier, which in turn promotes more dense flowering.

Propagation

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The easiest way to grow creeping phlox is to divide the plants, take stem cuttings, or use rooted stems.

Cuttings are a simple method of propagation because they root readily after a few months if done correctly.

Simply remove a 6-inch-long part from a rooted stem or from a shoot at the tip of the plant. Make sure that the cutting has at least one leaf and no blooms on it. To prevent infection, always use a clean, sharp tool while cutting.

Rooting hormone isn’t necessary for creeping phlox because it roots so well on its own; nevertheless, if you want to expedite the process to ensure success, you can use this product. Simple potting with perlite or coarse sand and sufficient drainage for the cuttings is all that’s required.

It’s important to remember that timing is everything when it comes to this plant. The best time of year to take cuttings is in spring or fall, however it tends to take root best in the fall after it has bloomed.

P. subulata and P. stolonifera can also be easily propagated through division. Divorcing is best done when temperatures are still cool in the early fall. In order to keep this plant healthy, especially if it is blooming less frequently than usual, it is recommended that you divide it once every few years.

Prior to the emergence of fresh spring shoots, root cuttings should be taken. Root cuttings with a diameter of 1.5 inches should be used, and they should be put into a firm compost, with the end furthest from the root tip facing up.

You can nick the top of root cuttings to identify which end is whose, so that you don’t get mixed up when preparing them.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Mites can be a problem for this gorgeous flower. As soon as you notice any indicators of trouble, act quickly to avoid them “creeping up” on you.

Using an organic insecticide soap is typically all that is needed to accomplish this.

Powdery mildew can affect both P. stolonifera and P. subulata in damp environments. The easiest method to avoid this is to water as little as possible, but you can also prevent it by trimming your plants every now and again to let them breathe better.

Creeping Phlox Quick Reference Growing Guide

How To Propagate Creeping Phlox Beginner’s Guide

Option #1. Cuttings

To multiply your favorite creeping phlox plant’s clones, just root cuttings from the plant. Keep in mind that cuttings can be used for root, softwood, and hardwood propagation. When it comes to cuttings, you can utilize both root and stem cuttings with creeping phlox.

Taking cuttings

Early in the fall or early winter is the best time to take root cuttings. The best time to collect stem cuttings, on the other hand, is in the late summer or early fall. When you cultivate creeping phlox in a greenhouse, you can be sure that the parent plants are healthy enough to survive the process.

The parent plant must be in good health in order to successfully propagate from cuttings and divisions. Take a four-inch-long portion of the leaf’s underside. There should be no signs of sickness or flaw in the plant or the cutting.

Preparation and rooting

Even more so, the stem should have at least one leaf, and it should be free of blossoms. As with any other plant cutting, you can proceed with the preparation of the stem once you’ve obtained it. Dip the end in rooting hormone powder before planting it in a moist and well-draining medium to stimulate root formation.

Make your own mix of peat, peat, and perlite by burying the cuttings at an appropriate depth so the leaves don’t get wet or moldy. Finally, keep the soil moist and shield the cutting from harsh weather. It is possible to store the cutting in a greenhouse or some other place where it will not be disturbed.

Option #2. Division

It is also possible to propagate creeping phlox through division. This is a great strategy that can be used for both new plants and regular care. You’ll ultimately have to divide your creeping phlox, and the best time to do so is right after it’s finished blooming in the spring.

Severing roots

This is a very straightforward operation compared to other plants with deeper root systems. Cutting through the roots of the phlox is what you’ll be doing next. Cutting the roots from the main plant is easy because there is a visible separating line.

Replanting

Depending on the size of your divide, you may be able to produce additional parts for replanting by loosening the roots and dirt. You can replant the divisions on top of the loose dirt once you’ve obtained them. Maintain a steady supply of water to protect the roots from drying out.

You should also make sure that the divisions are free of soil, as this is another consideration. Because roots are so easily bent and broken, care must be taken when handling them. It is also recommended that the new holes for these parts are larger than the roots to allow for future expansion.

Caring For Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox can be propagated and started in a greenhouse to produce healthy plants later on. Make sure to acclimate your indoor plants before moving them outside, in order to avoid transplant shock. Select a location that receives full light and has good, well-draining soil after you are able to manage the fluctuations.

You can feed and water your creeping phlox with a slow-release fertilizer to help it blossom. Do this in late winter or early spring, and water on a regular basis during the summer. Because it can endure drought, creeping phlox does not require a lot of water.

Phlox stolonifera vs. Phlox subulata

To begin with, I was unsure which phlox species was the “real” creeping phlox when doing my research. My research revealed that P. stolonifera and P. subulata are both “creeping phlox” and “moss phlox,” respectively. However, due to their similarity in appearance and biology, the two common names are commonly used interchangeably.

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Both are gorgeous spring ground cover plants that are semi-evergreen. There are several major distinctions between the two, however.

P. subulata, for example, grows to a maximum of around 6 inches in height, whereas P. stolonifera can reach a height of about 12 inches.

Similarly, P. subulata has needle-like leaves, whereas P. stolonifera has leaves that are more intermingled.

While P. stolonifera can withstand some shade, P. subulata, on the other hand, is an extreme sun seeker (with which I can sympathize), need direct sunlight in order to survive.

Both plants are so similar that they are commonly mistaken for one another. Because of its shorter stature and higher density of blooms, I believe P. subulata would prevail as a ground cover if I had to choose between the two. However, both methods can add beauty to the yard if planted correctly.

An Easygoing but Disorderly Ground Cover

Both phlox species aren’t finicky, but they like humus-rich soil that drains well.

Growing only 3-8 inches tall (7-20 centimeters), but spreading as wide as 9 inches up to 2 feet (22-60 centimeters), creeping phlox is an ideal ground cover and companion plant.

Even though it is only 3-8 inches tall (7-20 centimeters), creeping phlox can spread up to 9 inches (22-60 centimeters) and is an excellent companion plant.

Phlox thrives on slopes for two additional reasons:

1. It prefers soils with good drainage.

For this reason, it’s ideal for delicate places like slopes where erosion is a concern.

When planting, there is only one thing to keep an eye out for. In spite of its name, this is a creeping plant, and a successful one at that.

If you’re looking for a plant that will fill every nook and cranny of your garden, this one is for you. For those who prefer their plants to be well-behaved and neat, this may not be the ideal option.

Pick your Phlox

There’s no doubt that you’ll be able to locate exactly what you’re looking for with so many options to pick from.

Color is arguably the most significant factor to consider when choosing a resilient and adaptable plant. It’s hard to make a decision when there are so many different shades of pink, purple, and blue to choose from.

Blue Ridge and Pink Ridge are two common kinds of P. stolonifera, both named for the Appalachian Mountain areas from whence the plant originates. ‘Bruce’s White’, a white cultivar popular among gardeners, is named after Bruce Chin, a wildflower aficionado.

Candy Stripe’ P. subulata is a gorgeous variety of vivid striped P. subulata that you can buy on Amazon or at Burpee.

Phlox ‘Snowflake’

Check out Nature Hills Nursery’s ‘Snowflake’ variety for something a little more delicate.

Conclusion

Plants such as creeping phlox are excellent for a variety of purposes, including ground cover. Increasing the number of creeping phlox in your garden or for business purposes is simple if you know how to propagate it. Cuttings and division are two of the finest ways to accomplish this.

Creeping phlox has the advantage of being able to use either root or stem cuttings. The latter can be accomplished by harvesting strong stems from your parent plants in the late summer or fall. To speed up the growth of your creeping phlox cuttings, use rooting hormone like you would with any other cutting.

While this method of controlling the creeping phlox’s development can be time-consuming, it is an effective way to do it. The roots of this plant are shallow, so simply cut along the dividing line to remove it. It is recommended that you handle these sections with care, as they bend and break easily.

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