diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a58cc06..fd99e92 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,6 +31,11 @@ Execution time limit for php scripts in seconds.
 
 Value of `pm.max_children`.
 
+## PHP_START_SERVERS
+- default: 2
+
+Value of `pm.start_servers`
+
 ## PHP_ADMIN_VALUES
 Comma seperated list of php admin values.
 
diff --git a/rootfs/etc/confd/templates/www.conf.tmpl b/rootfs/etc/confd/templates/www.conf.tmpl
index 7d4dbf8..d0c988b 100644
--- a/rootfs/etc/confd/templates/www.conf.tmpl
+++ b/rootfs/etc/confd/templates/www.conf.tmpl
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ pm.max_children = {{ getenv "PHP_MAX_CHILDREN" "5"}}
 ; The number of child processes created on startup.
 ; Note: Used only when pm is set to 'dynamic'
 ; Default Value: min_spare_servers + (max_spare_servers - min_spare_servers) / 2
-pm.start_servers = 2
+pm.start_servers = {{ getenv "PHP_START_SERVERS" "2"}}
 
 ; The desired minimum number of idle server processes.
 ; Note: Used only when pm is set to 'dynamic'