How big does Tufted phlox grow?

About 10 cm × 40 cm after ten years (height × width).

What soil does Tufted phlox grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Tufted phlox hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Tufted phlox toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

When does Tufted phlox flower?

Flowering: April–June, pink, purple, red, white.

How much water does Tufted phlox need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: medium.

Tufted phlox

Phlox douglasii

Tufted phlox (Phlox douglasii) is a ground cover plant that reaches 10 cm × 40 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €5.

Illustration of Tufted phlox — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A dwarf phlox that forms a tight evergreen cushion of needle-like leaves, completely hidden in spring under small pink, purple, red or white flowers. It belongs in rock gardens, gravel beds, on stone walls and in troughs, where it gets plenty of sun and water drains away fast. Do not plant it in heavy, wet soil, where it rots over winter: work in plenty of grit or sand first.

Watch out for

Most plants are lost to winter wet: in heavy, damp soil the cushion rots from below. In hot, humid summers it can die out in patches and turn brown, and in shadier, airless spots it gets powdery mildew. Phlox eelworm is an occasional problem. Trim it lightly after flowering to keep it dense.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 10 cm × 40 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, pink, purple, red, white

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	10 cm × 40 cm
Ultimate size	5–15 cm × 25–50 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–June, pink, purple, red, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	25 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €5

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €5

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Plants that are non-toxic to children Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden

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