Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe'

Candy Stripe Moss Phlox

Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripe’ is a low, mat-forming herbaceous perennial creeping phlox with narrow, needle-like evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage. In spring, it produces a carpet of white, star-shaped flowers with bright pink stripes running through each petal, giving the plant its candy-striped look. It is excellent for sunny slopes, rock gardens, edging, retaining walls, pathways, and spilling over the front of borders. Darwin Perennials describes it as a low-growing evergreen groundcover with white flowers striped pink in early spring.

Type: Herbaceous perennial groundcover
Mature Size: 18–24 in. wide x 3–6 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b; sometimes listed as hardy to 9b depending on source and site conditions
Form: Low, spreading, mat-forming groundcover
Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil / Water: Average to poor, well-drained soil; dry to medium moisture once established; avoid wet, poorly drained soil
Bloom Time / Length: Early to mid spring, often April–May; about 2–4 weeks
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other early-season pollinators

Features & Landscape Uses: White flowers with pink center stripes; evergreen needle-like foliage; strong spring carpet effect; useful for rock gardens, sunny banks, slopes, wall edges, mass plantings, edging, and between stepping stones. Saunders Brothers lists ‘Candy Stripe’ at about 6 in. tall and 24 in. wide, with pink-and-white striped flowers over carpet-like evergreen foliage.

Care: Plant in full sun with good drainage. Shear lightly after bloom to keep the mat dense and tidy. Water during establishment and during extended drought, but avoid soggy soil. Divide or replant sections if the center becomes thin or woody over time. The species Phlox subulata is described by Missouri Botanical Garden as a vigorous, spreading, mat-forming phlox that grows about 6 in. tall and spreads to about 24 in. wide. 

Plant type

Groundcover, Perennial

Height

3-6"

Width

18-24"

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring, Spring

Flower color

Lavender, Pink, White

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Dark Green

Attracts

Butterflies

Soil

Average, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Border, Ground Cover, Mass Planting

Shape

Low Spreading, Mat forming

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No