# Spreading Phlox (*phlox diffusa*)

Spreading Phlox is a beautiful ground-cover plant that blooms with colorful flowers in spring. Its sweet scent attracts butterflies and bees, making it a favorite in gardens!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 4
- **Habitat:** Rocky or sandy soils in sunny areas, often found in gardens and natural landscapes.

![Spreading Phlox](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phlox_diffusa_22156.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phlox_diffusa_22156.JPG)

## Appearance

The Spreading Phlox is a low-growing, mat-forming plant with densely packed, needle-like green leaves. Its abundant, star-shaped flowers bloom in shades of pink, lavender, white, or occasionally pale blue, forming a vibrant carpet over rocky ground.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Ericales
- **Family:** Polemoniaceae
- **Genus:** Phlox

## Interesting facts

- Even though it looks small and delicate, a single Spreading Phlox plant can live for many decades!
- Its tiny, star-shaped flowers can glow under UV light, creating invisible landing strips for bees!
- The name "Phlox" comes from the Greek word for "flame," perhaps for the bright colors of some relatives!
- This hardy plant can grow right out of cracks in solid rock on exposed mountain slopes!

## Special abilities

- **Rock-Hugger:** Spreading Phlox has a mat-forming growth habit that helps it cling to rocky slopes and prevent erosion.
- **Drought Defender:** Spreading Phlox can thrive in dry conditions thanks to its small, tough leaves that reduce water loss.
- **Early Bloomer:** Spreading Phlox can produce beautiful flowers early in spring, attracting the first active pollinators.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-20 cm
- **Spread:** 30-90 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Two-form Bumble Bee (*Bombus bifarius*) — seeking nectar and pollen early in spring
- **Pollinates:** [Zerene Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zerene-fritillary) (*Speyeria zerene*) — collecting nectar from the colorful blooms
- **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — browsing occasionally on its tough foliage

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Spreading Phlox?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Spreading Phlox?

5-20 cm

### How wide does Spreading Phlox spread?

30-90 cm

### How big are the flowers on Spreading Phlox?

1-2 cm

### When does Spreading Phlox bloom?

Spring

### Is Spreading Phlox edible?

No

### Is Spreading Phlox toxic?

None

### What is Spreading Phlox's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-tahoe-basin-management-unit) — Nevada, US · Forest
- [E.C. Manning Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-c-manning-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park
- [Sunrise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunrise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District
- [White River Entrance](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/white-river-entrance) — Washington, US · Historic District
- [Yakima Park Stockade Group](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yakima-park-stockade-group) — Washington, US · Historic District

[View all places to see Spreading Phlox](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spreading-phlox)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Spreading Phlox: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spreading-phlox)