Aubrieta vs Moss phlox

Aubrieta and Moss phlox are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, pollinator friendly, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Aubrieta

Aubrieta × cultorum 15 cm × 60 cm after 10 years

A low, evergreen, grey-green cushion plant for rock gardens that flowers so heavily in spring that the leaves almost disappear: good on top of…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 49

Moss phlox

Phlox subulata 15 cm × 90 cm after 10 years

A low, cushion-forming ground cover perennial that covers itself in flowers in late April and May, so the foliage almost disappears. It suits rock…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 49

Key differences

Moss phlox spreads wider: 15 cm × 90 cm after ten years, against 15 cm × 60 cm for Aubrieta.
Moss phlox is cheaper: about CZK 49 at the size usually planted, against about CZK 69 for Aubrieta.

Which one to choose?

Moss phlox is the better choice if price matters.

Watch out for

Aubrieta

In heavy, wet soil it rots off in winter and stays short-lived; without trimming, the centre of the cushion goes bare within a few years. Aphids and flea beetles can damage it, and white blister (a disease of the cabbage family) occasionally appears. Self-sown seedlings usually flower paler than the parent.

Moss phlox

Spider mites can attack it in hot, dry summers, and it tends to rot in heavy, waterlogged soil. Older mats thin out in the centre if they are not cut back after flowering.

The data side by side

Feature	Aubrieta	Moss phlox
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	15 cm × 60 cm	15 cm × 90 cm
Ultimate size	5–15 cm × 30–60 cm	10–15 cm × 60–90 cm
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Calcareous, Sandy, Average garden soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Medium
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen (uncertain)
Flowering	April–June, purple, blue, pink, red, white	April–May, pink, purple, white, red, blue
Water need	Low	Low
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	30 cm	35 cm
For dogs	no data	Non-toxic
For cats	no data	Non-toxic
Typical price	approx. CZK 69	approx. CZK 49

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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