How to Grow and Care for Garden Phlox
Garden phlox, or tall phlox, is a low-maintenance perennial that adds a burst of color and interest to the garden with large, long-lasting blooms. Garden phlox blooms in summer and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8.
These perennials also attract hummingbirds and butterflies. As an additional bonus, their sturdy stems make them a great choice for cut flowers.
Garden Phlox Care
Garden phlox is a low-maintenance plant. Here are the main care requirements for growing garden phlox:
- Choose a location with lots of sun, ideally around six hours or more.
- Prepare well-draining soil that holds some moisture.
- Provide garden phlox moderate water, especially in times of drought.
- In hotter zones, mulch around the plant to keep the roots cool.
- Fertilize garden phlox lightly each spring
Planting
Plant garden phlox in moist but well-draining soil in a spot with full sun exposure. Consider tilling the soil and adding compost if necessary.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place the plant in the hole, backfill it with soil, then thoroughly water. The best times to plant garden phlox are the spring after the last frost or the early fall.
Light
Grow garden phlox in full sun in northern regions and in partial sun in southern regions.
Soil
Garden phlox does best in fertile, moist soil, with the biggest requirement being good drainage. Well-draining loamy and clay soils work if they include some organic matter. Neutral, acidic, and alkaline soils are all acceptable,
Water
After planting, water thoroughly every few days for about a week or two. Once established, keep the soil evenly moist, but do not overwater.
Avoid overhead watering by pointing the nozzle of your garden hose at an angle to direct the spray to ground level. Keeping the foliage dry will minimize fungal problems.
Temperature and Humidity
Garden phlox does not like hot, humid summers, so it is not a good choice for gardeners in the Deep South. You can mitigate heat and humidity problems by adding mulch to keep the root zone cool.
Fertilizer
This plant wants a soil with moderate fertility. Fertilize garden phlox with compost each year in spring.
Propagating Garden Phlox
Cuttings
Garden phlox can be propagated by taking cuttings. Here are the basic steps:
- Use sharp pruning shears to cut a few cuttings about 5 to 6 inches long.
- Remove leaves from the lower half of the cuttings.
- Plant the cuttings in pots with a well-draining growing medium.
- Water the cuttings, and move the pots to a warm location.
- Keep the soil moist but not wet until the cuttings root.
- Wait until the cuttings are fairly established (about six weeks) before transplanting.
Division
You can also propagate phlox plants by dividing them in the early spring.
