Drummond's Phlox
Phlox drummondii
Last reviewed: October 2026
Drummond's phlox is an annual forb that blooms from March through May in full sun. It tolerates low water and does well in sandy or well-drained soils in warm climates.
Toxicity unknown
Drummond's Phlox (Phlox drummondii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–18" H × 3"–6" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, CT, FL and 12 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Drummond's Phlox.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Drummond's Phlox is a low-growing annual wildflower that produces clusters of colorful blooms in spring. This compact native forms neat mounds and works well as a seasonal ground cover or border plant.
Growing Drummond's Phlox
Grow Drummond's Phlox in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 3 to 6 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Drummond's Phlox is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Requires seasonal replanting
- May have messy dieback
Wildlife value
The nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies and native bees during the important spring blooming period.
Common questions
- When does Drummond's phlox bloom?
- Drummond's phlox generally blooms from March through May, producing clusters of five-petaled flowers on low mounding plants.
- What pollinators visit Drummond's phlox?
- Butterflies and bees are the main visitors to Drummond's phlox, drawn to its tubular flower clusters.
- How much sun and water does Drummond's phlox need?
- This plant grows best in full sun and needs only low amounts of water once established, making it suited to dry, sunny sites.
- Is Drummond's phlox an annual or a perennial?
- Drummond's phlox is an annual forb. It completes its life cycle in one growing season and often reseeds itself in favorable conditions.
- Is Drummond's Phlox HOA-friendly?
- Drummond's Phlox is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Drummond's Phlox? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.