It is native to western North America from British Columbia to the southwestern United States to the Dakotas, where it grows in many types of habitat, including rocky, high elevation mountain slopes.

Phlox diffusa prefers dry hillsides such as areas like rocky slopes and terrains such as alpine or sub-alpine or pumice fields.

[4] Based on a study at Chowder ridge fell-view community the flower morphology of Phlox diffusa such as flora color and insect visitors dominated the methods they are pollinated.

The study showed that due to early blooming of Phlox diffusa, butterflies and bumblebees visited the flowers less frequently than expected but still are considered major pollinators.

Evidence from this study points to Phlox diffusa being an important nectar source for early season queen bumblebees.