Discover top 30 ground cover plants that are easy to care for and perfect for creating a lush, beautiful garden. Learn about options that suit various landscapes and conditions.
Ground cover plants are an excellent way to add beauty and functionality to your garden. They help prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and create a lush, green carpet in areas where grass might struggle. This guide will introduce you to 30 easy-care ground cover plants that can transform your landscape.
Why Choose Ground Cover Plants?
Before we dive into the list, let’s understand why ground cover plants are beneficial:
- Low maintenance
- Weed suppression
- Erosion control
- Visual interest
- Habitat for beneficial insects
Now, let’s explore our top 30 ground cover plants.
Sun-Loving Ground Covers
These plants thrive in full sun conditions:
1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
- Fragrant, low-growing herb
- Tolerates light foot traffic
- Attracts pollinators
2. Sedum (Sedum spp.)
- Succulent leaves in various colors
- Drought-tolerant
- Great for rock gardens
3. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
- Vibrant spring flowers
- Forms a dense, colorful mat
- Excellent for slopes
4. Ice Plant (Delosperma spp.)
- Succulent with daisy-like flowers
- Thrives in poor soil
- Drought-resistant
5. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
- Soft, silvery foliage
- Drought-tolerant
- Adds textural interest
Shade-Loving Ground Covers
Perfect for those shady spots in your garden:
6. Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)
- Evergreen in most climates
- Spreads quickly
- Ideal for deep shade
7. Vinca Minor (Vinca minor)
- Glossy, dark green leaves
- Purple-blue flowers in spring
- Tolerates various soil types
8. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
- Also known as Bugleweed
- Blue, purple, or white flowers
- Fast-growing
9. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
- Fragrant white flowers
- Spreads well in moist, shady areas
- Deer-resistant
10. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
- Evergreen foliage
- Thrives in deep shade
- Low maintenance
Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers
These plants are perfect for dry climates or areas with water restrictions:
11. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
- Evergreen conifer
- Various shades of green to blue-green
- Excellent for erosion control
12. Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)
- Succulent leaves
- Star-shaped flowers
- Thrives in poor soil
13. Creeping Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’)
- Aromatic herb
- Blue flowers
- Edible and deer-resistant
14. Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
- Soft, fuzzy leaves
- Tolerates light foot traffic
- Drought-resistant
15. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
- Rosette-forming succulent
- Various colors available
- Great for rock gardens
Fast-Growing Ground Covers
When you need quick coverage, these plants deliver:
16. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
- Bright yellow-green foliage
- Spreads rapidly
- Thrives in moist areas
17. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
- Forms a dense, moss-like carpet
- Tiny white flowers in spring
- Good between stepping stones
18. Creeping Wire Vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris)
- Delicate, wire-like stems
- Small, round leaves
- Fast-spreading
19. Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
- Bright golden foliage
- Spreads quickly in moist soil
- Adds bright color to shady areas
20. Dragon’s Blood Sedum (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’)
- Red-tinged foliage
- Pink flowers in summer
- Fast-growing in full sun
Flowering Ground Covers
Add color to your landscape with these flowering options:
21. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
- White flowers in spring
- Evergreen foliage
- Attracts butterflies
22. Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans)
- Purple or white flowers
- Forms a dense mat
- Tolerates light foot traffic
23. Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Colorful flowers throughout summer
- Drought-tolerant
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
24. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)
- Spring flowers in various colors
- Forms a dense, low-growing mat
- Good for rock gardens
25. Creeping Speedwell (Veronica repens)
- Tiny blue flowers in spring
- Forms a dense, low mat
- Tolerates light foot traffic
Evergreen Ground Covers
For year-round interest, try these evergreen options:
26. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
- Grass-like evergreen foliage
- Tolerates shade
- Low maintenance
27. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Red berries in fall
- Glossy, evergreen leaves
- Tolerates poor soil
28. Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
- Evergreen leaves, often variegated
- Climbs or spreads as ground cover
- Tolerates various conditions
29. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)
- Tiny blue flowers
- Forms a dense, low mat
- Tolerates light foot traffic
30. Creeping Gardenia (Gardenia radicans)
- Fragrant white flowers
- Glossy, evergreen leaves
- Prefers partial shade
Planting and Care Tips
To ensure success with your ground cover plants:
- Prepare the soil well before planting
- Space plants according to their mature spread
- Water regularly until established
- Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture
- Control weeds until plants fill in
Ground cover plants offer a versatile and low-maintenance way to beautify your garden. Whether you’re looking to cover a shady spot, control erosion on a slope, or add color to your landscape, there’s a ground cover plant that’s perfect for your needs.
Remember to consider your specific climate, soil conditions, and garden goals when choosing ground cover plants. With proper selection and care, these plants can create a lush, beautiful carpet that enhances your outdoor space and reduces garden maintenance.
Experiment with different combinations of ground covers to create interesting textures and color patterns in your garden. Soon, you’ll have a thriving, low-maintenance landscape that’s the envy of the neighborhood!
For more gardening tips and plant care guides, visit usagardenhub.com
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