Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Garden phlox

How to identify Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata)

Garden phlox, also known as Summer phlox

Garden phlox is a vigorous, stalky perennial reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) with a similar clump-forming spread. It exhibits a profusion of blossoms in hues that span from pastel to vibrant, often seen from mid-summer through mid-fall. The individual flowers are notably grouped in dense, pyramidal clusters atop upright stems, which emerge from a bed of lance-shaped, medium-green foliage. This species is particularly favored for its showy blooms and ability to attract pollinators like hummingbirds.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Garden phlox

1

Dense, pyramidal clusters of pink-purple to white tubular flowers in tiered domes.

2

Opposite, deep green lance-shaped leaves with prominent branching veins create a distinctive pattern.

Garden phloxGarden phloxGarden phloxGarden phloxGarden phlox

Detailed Traits of Garden phlox

Leaf Features

The leaves of garden phlox are deep green and range from 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) in length. They are opposite, acute, cuneate, simple, and pointed, with an ovate to elliptic to lanceolate shape. The leaves feature conspicuous veins that branch off the central vein, curving towards the tip near the edge and forming a vein-like pattern along the margin. Upper leaves are subsessile to clasping, adding to their distinctive appearance.

Leaf Shape

Lanceolate ,
Oblanceolate ,
Ovate

Garden phlox Leaf Shape image
Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cuneate

Garden phlox Leaf Base image
Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Garden phlox Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,
Acute

Garden phlox Leaf Apex image
Leaf Margin

Entire

Garden phlox Leaf Margin image
Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

Garden phlox has fragrant, tubular flowers that are pink-purple, blue, lavender, purple, or white, each floret measuring up to 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) in diameter. These blooms are densely packed in large, tiered, domed terminal clusters reaching 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). The florets feature a long corolla tube and five flat, petal-like lobes. The tubular calyx is ribbed and has five subulate lobes. The corolla is salverform and 5-lobed. Flowers bloom from July to August.

Garden phlox Flower imageGarden phlox Flower image
Corolla Type

Salverform

Inflorescence Type

Panicle

Garden phlox Inflorescence Type image
Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stems of garden phlox are stiff and erect, typically reaching heights of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters). They possess a slightly ribbed texture and are smooth to the touch. The color ranges from green to a reddish hue as the plant matures. Stems are moderately thick, about 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter, and exhibit a robust, upright growth habit. Branching is minimal, primarily occurring near the upper portion of the stem, contributing to the plant's bushy appearance.

Garden phlox Stem image
Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

Garden phlox Fruit image
Fruit Type

Capsule

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Garden phlox and Their Similar Plants

Img topic
Creeping phlox vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a flowering plant native to the United States. The Latin name Phlox subulata means needle-shaped, which describes its leaves. Creeping phlox is sometimes confused with marijuana due to its similar smell.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Annual phlox vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Annual phlox (Phlox drummondii) is a flowering plant native to the United States. Thomas Drummond the historical naturalist sent the seeds back to Britain after a trip to Texas, and the plant is named after him. Annual phlox is a popular ornamental plant due to its bright pink flowers, which can be other colors from other cultivars.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Wild blue phlox vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) also goes by the names of woodland phlox or Louisiana phlox, and it’s indigenous to eastern North America. The flowers sit atop hairy, sticky stems. In the wild, it loves to grow along stream banks. “Phlox” is Greek for “flame” because some flowers of this species have intensely vibrant colors.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Downy phlox vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Downy phlox is a species of phlox that natives to eastern North America. This hairy plant gives pretty pink to purplish flowers in the late spring to early summer and does well in gardens with sandy soil.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Wild sweetwilliam vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Wild sweetwilliam (Phlox maculata) exists in various parts of North America, but is only rarely encountered in the wild. Its Latin name includes “maculata,” which is derived from the Latin word for “spotted” in reference to its speckled purple stems. It's also called speckled phlox or spotted phlox.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Smooth phlox vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Smooth phlox (*Phlox glaberrima*) is an upright, clump-forming, lipomatous perennial plant species. Smooth phlox grows in moist meadows, low woods, and along riverbanks. This species attracts butterflies, moths, and bees.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Creeping phlox vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Known for attracting wildlife such as small mammals and hummingbirds, creeping phlox is a useful groundcover for shade and woodland gardens with its mat-forming habit providing excellent cover for early spring bulbs. Creeping phlox has been used in traditional medicine but nowadays is mostly valued as an easy-to-maintain eye-catching perennial.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Garden phlox 'David' vs. Garden phlox: What's The Difference?
Garden phlox 'David' is a cultivar of the Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), selected for the color of its flowers. Unlike the flowers of the parent plant which are rarely white in nature, this cultivar has pure white flowers, arranged in attractive panicles. It is also noted for its extreme resistance to powdery mildew.
Read More
Arrow
Identify Garden phlox easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Garden phlox

Attributes of Garden phlox
Lifespan
Perennial, Annual
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
60 cm to 1.2 m
Spread
1 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
1.5 cm to 2.5 cm
Flower Color
White
Pink
Red
Purple
Blue
Violet
Stem Color
Green
Purple
White
Pink
Leaf type
Deciduous
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Garden phlox

Family
Phlox
Icon allow
Genus
Phloxes
Icon allow
Species
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Learn More About the Garden phlox

Distribution Map of Garden phlox

Garden phlox is native to the open woodlands, hills, and streamsides of the eastern United States. Used in gardens as an ornamental, it has become an introduced species in other parts of North America and Europe.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app