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Phlox Drummond Mix

Phlox drummondii

a close up of a flower with a blurry background

Cherry Caramel's unique color combination makes it popular with designers and gardeners alike. From our trials, we've selected phlox varieties with the tallest stems and most desirable colors. Annual phlox produces charming and abundant blooms on branched stems.

Harvest

50-65d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-15 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Phlox Drummond Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Phlox Drummond Mix · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-drained, average to poor soil

pH6.0-7.5

WaterModerate water, drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorNot edible

ColorMixed colors: pink, red, white, purple, salmon, bicolors

Size0.5-1 inch individual flowers in dense clusters

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 3 weeks from April 1 through early June in zone 7, stopping once daytime highs are consistently hitting 85°F — phlox will still germinate above that, but germination drops off and the plants tend to bolt to seed faster than they flower. A late-February indoor sow (10–15 days to germination under lights) gives you transplants ready to go in by late April, which is the most reliable way to get a strong first flush before summer heat sets in.

For a fall cut-flower push, sow again directly around August 15–September 1 in zone 7. Cooler fall temps keep the plants compact and floriferous through October. Skip a midsummer sow — the heat window between June and mid-August produces leggy, quick-to-bolt plants that aren't worth the bed space.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 3 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The fruit is dry and splits open when ripe

Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut Phlox Drummond flowers last 5-7 days when properly handled. Immediately after cutting, recut stems underwater at an angle and place in clean vase with lukewarm water. Add flower food or a teaspoon of sugar plus a few drops of bleach to extend vase life.

For dried flowers, harvest when blooms are just opening and hang small bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. The papery texture preserves well, though colors fade to soft pastels. Press individual flowers between wax paper for craft projects—their flat face makes them ideal for pressing.

Seeds can be collected for next year's garden. Allow some flower heads to mature and turn brown on the plant, then collect and store in paper envelopes in a cool, dry location. Properly stored seeds remain viable for 2-3 years.

History & Origin

Origin: Texas

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Marigolds — French marigolds (Tagetes patula) specifically — are worth planting in the same bed. They repel thrips through root and foliar chemical emissions, and thrips are one of the few pests that do real cosmetic damage to Phlox drummondii blooms. Sweet Alyssum is a strong pairing too: its tiny flowers draw parasitic wasps that keep aphid populations from getting out of hand, and at 3–4 inches tall it won't shade out the phlox. Nasturtiums pull double duty as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from the phlox itself. In our zone 7 Georgia garden, Cosmos and Zinnias fill height gaps nicely in a cutting-flower bed — all three are shallow-rooted annuals that don't compete much belowground.

Black Walnut is the hard no. Juglone — the compound it releases from roots, hulls, and decomposing leaf litter — accumulates in soil within roughly 50 feet of the trunk and stunts or kills a wide range of annuals, phlox included. Fennel is the other plant to keep across the yard; it's broadly inhibitory to most garden neighbors through root exudates and has no practical reason to share a flower bed.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests that commonly attack phlox

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting phlox

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and other garden pests

Zinnias

Attract beneficial pollinators and predatory insects while sharing similar growing conditions

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary height and texture

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and aphids while attracting beneficial pollinators

Cleome

Attracts beneficial insects and provides vertical interest without competing for space

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone, a toxic compound that inhibits growth of phlox and many other plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit germination and growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Produces allelopathic chemicals that can stunt growth of phlox and other garden plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance when grown with proper spacing and air circulation

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Powdery mildew in humid conditions, root rot in wet soils

Troubleshooting Phlox Drummond Mix

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually showing up mid-summer when nights get humid

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives when daytime temps are 60–80°F with high overnight humidity
Poor airflow from planting too close together at under 4 inches

What to Do

1.Thin plants to at least 4–6 inches apart to open up airflow
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted neem oil solution (2 tbsp per gallon) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Pull and trash badly infected plants — don't compost them

Plants wilting and collapsing at the base despite adequate watering, stems brown and soft at soil level

Likely Causes

Root rot from Pythium or Rhizoctonia — both triggered by waterlogged, poorly draining soil
Overwatering in heavy clay soil that doesn't drain between rain events

What to Do

1.Pull the collapsed plants — they won't recover once the crown is gone
2.Amend the bed with 2–3 inches of compost worked in before replanting to improve drainage
3.Water only when the top inch of soil is dry; Phlox drummondii handles short dry spells fine once established at 3–4 weeks

Tiny, distorted new growth with sticky residue on stems and buds, sometimes with a sooty black coating developing

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (commonly green peach aphid, Myzus persicae) feeding on new tissue
Sooty mold developing on aphid honeydew as a secondary problem

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm stream of water from a hose — do this in the morning so foliage dries before evening
2.If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap (follow label dilution, usually 2.5 tbsp per gallon) directly to colonies
3.Check for and remove ant trails around the base — ants farm aphids and will keep reintroducing them to your plants

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Phlox Drummond Mix take to bloom from seed?▼

Phlox Drummond Mix typically blooms 70-85 days from seed sowing. Direct-sown spring seeds usually flower by mid-summer, while fall-planted seeds (in zones 8-10) bloom earlier the following spring. Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost can advance blooming by 2-3 weeks.

Can you grow Phlox Drummond Mix in containers?▼

Yes, Phlox Drummond Mix grows excellently in containers 8+ inches deep with drainage holes. Use well-draining potting mix rather than garden soil. Container plants may need more frequent watering but often have better air circulation, reducing powdery mildew risk. They're perfect for patios and window boxes.

Is Phlox Drummond Mix good for beginners?▼

Absolutely—Phlox Drummond Mix is considered one of the easiest annuals for beginning gardeners. It tolerates poor soil, drought, and neglect while blooming prolifically. The seeds germinate reliably, and plants are forgiving of occasional watering lapses. Just ensure good drainage and avoid over-fertilizing.

When should I plant Phlox Drummond Mix seeds?▼

Plant timing depends on your zone: fall planting works in zones 8-10 for spring blooms, while zones 3-7 should direct sow in early spring 2-4 weeks before last frost. Seeds germinate in cool soil (50-60°F) and young plants tolerate light frosts, making early planting advantageous.

Does Phlox Drummond Mix come back every year?▼

Phlox Drummond Mix is an annual that completes its life cycle in one season, but it readily self-sows in favorable conditions. You'll often find volunteer seedlings the following spring, creating the appearance of a perennial. Collected seeds can be replanted, or simply allow natural reseeding to occur.

How do you prevent powdery mildew on Phlox Drummond?▼

Prevent powdery mildew by ensuring proper spacing (8-10 inches apart), watering at soil level rather than overhead, and choosing locations with good air circulation. Morning sun helps dry dew quickly. In humid climates, avoid planting in enclosed courtyards or against solid fences where air stagnates.