What we love about planting heirloom phlox seeds
- 5 heirloom phlox seed varieties
- Perfect for container gardens or as ground cover!
- Varieties in shades of pink, red, purple, and white
- Attracts birds, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with its fragrant flower clusters
Grow the best heirloom phlox for your pollinator garden
Phlox drummondii (also known as Drummond's phlox or annual phlox) is an upright annual that grows hardy in zones 3 through 9. It is sometimes confused with Phlox paniculata but there are quite a few differences. Heirloom phlox blooms from mid-summer to early fall in magnificent clusters of thick delicate flowers and has a lovely aroma that will draw butterflies, hummingbirds, and possibly even some neighbors to your garden! Heirloom phlox are beautiful cut flowers, so cut a few stems while they're in full bloom to add pinks, purples, and whites to your bouquets.
How to plant heirloom phlox seeds
Phlox seed should be sown directly into the garden. Sow heirloom phlox seed and cover with fine soil approximately 1/8 inch thick as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Phlox, unlike many other flowering plants, requires darkness to germinate. When the first true leaves grow on fresh seedlings, thin them to eight to twelve inches. Phlox dislikes having its roots disturbed, so be careful while sowing and transplanting them outdoors. Four to six weeks before the risk of frost has passed, sow seedlings inside in plug cells. Cover seeds with soil and keep them out of direct sunlight until 10 to 15% of seedlings germinate. Harden off for seven days before transplanting with care after real leaves have emerged.
Growing conditions for successful heirloom phlox
Plant heirloom phlox seedlings eight to twelve inches apart in full sun to medium shade. During the summer, plants especially prefer midday shade. Because they are prone to powdery mildew, it is critical to provide enough distance between plants to allow for ventilation and avoid illness. For the same reason, avoid watering from above. Heirloom phlox plants require constant watering to thrive, but once established, they are drought-tolerant. They don't fare well in excessive heat, so keep the root zone damp and cool with mulch during hot, dry summers. Phlox dislikes being overwatered and struggles in thick, waterlogged soils. Early in the summer, treat with compost or a well-balanced fertilizer to encourage longer flowering. Deadhead when flowers fade to keep plants tidy and to encourage future blooms.
For more information about planting, growing, and caring for heirloom phlox seeds, see the Phlox Seeds Planting Guide.