Perennial of the Polemoniaceae family, Phlox nivalis is native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia to northern Florida to Alabama, where it grows in open pinewoods and on well-drained sandy slopes and flats. The species is close to P. subulata, with which it is sometimes confused, but it is distinguished by several botanical characteristics, notably the arrangement and size of the flowers. The 'Nivea' cultivar is a selection with entirely white flowers, mentioned in the Alpine Garden Society's encyclopedia.
It forms a dense and tight carpet, reaching about 10 cm in height when in bloom. The leaves are awl-shaped, narrow, 8 to 12 mm long, quite dense on the stems, giving the plant a compact appearance similar to other dwarf mat-forming phloxes.
The flowers measure about 2.3 cm in diameter, with five broad petals; in 'Nivea' they are pure white, without the short dark lines radiating around the eye observed on the colored forms of the species. The flowering is very abundant and completely covers the foliage at its peak, producing a particularly clear mass effect. In cultivation under our climates, it generally occurs in May-June, with sometimes a few flowers in autumn as noted for the species.
It requires well-drained, light soil, in full sun exposure, and does not tolerate stagnant moisture in winter. It is suitable for sunny rockeries, walls, and gravel gardens.