Top 30 Ground Cover Plants : Easy Care Options for a Lush Garden

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:

  1. Low maintenance
  2. Weed suppression
  3. Erosion control
  4. Visual interest
  5. 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)

 A serene garden featuring vibrant purple flowers and benches, with Creeping Thyme adding a lush green ground cover.
  • Fragrant, low-growing herb
  • Tolerates light foot traffic
  • Attracts pollinators

2. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

A close-up view of a vibrant green Sedum plant, showcasing its fleshy leaves and intricate textures.

3. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

A serene pond adorned with purple Creeping Phlox flowers and scattered rocks, creating a tranquil natural scene.
  • Vibrant spring flowers
  • Forms a dense, colorful mat
  • Excellent for slopes

4. Ice Plant (Delosperma spp.)

A cluster of vibrant purple Ice Plant flowers blooming on the ground, showcasing their unique color and texture.
  • Succulent with daisy-like flowers
  • Thrives in poor soil
  • Drought-resistant

5. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

A close-up view of Lamb's Ear plant showcasing its soft, green leaves in vibrant detail.
  • Soft, silvery foliage
  • Drought-tolerant
  • Adds textural interest

Shade-Loving Ground Covers

Perfect for those shady spots in your garden:

6. Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

A close-up view of a Pachysandra bush showcasing vibrant green leaves in a lush, natural setting.
  • Evergreen in most climates
  • Spreads quickly
  • Ideal for deep shade

7. Vinca Minor (Vinca minor)

A Vinca Minor plant featuring vibrant purple flowers surrounded by lush green leaves in a natural setting.

8. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

A vibrant Ajuga plant featuring striking purple flowers blooming in the soil, showcasing its natural beauty.
  • Also known as Bugleweed
  • Blue, purple, or white flowers
  • Fast-growing

9. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

A serene garden featuring lush green grass adorned with delicate white flowers, including Sweet Woodruff.
  • Fragrant white flowers
  • Spreads well in moist, shady areas
  • Deer-resistant

10. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

 A bush of Japanese Spurge adorned with delicate white flowers and vibrant green leaves, showcasing natural beauty.
  • 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)

A vast field filled with lush green Creeping Juniper bushes, creating a vibrant and serene landscape.
  • 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’)

14. Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)

Purple Woolly Thyme flowers blooming alongside a brick path, enhancing the natural beauty of the garden setting.
  • Soft, fuzzy leaves
  • Tolerates light foot traffic
  • Drought-resistant

15. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)

A close-up view of a vibrant cluster of Hens and Chicks succulents, showcasing their unique shapes and textures.
  • 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)

A wooden staircase adorned with lush green Creeping Jenny plants, creating a vibrant and natural aesthetic.
  • Bright yellow-green foliage
  • Spreads rapidly
  • Thrives in moist areas

17. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

18. Creeping Wire Vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris)

A blue hat resting atop a lush Creeping Wire Vine bush, blending nature with a touch of color.
  • Delicate, wire-like stems
  • Small, round leaves
  • Fast-spreading

19. Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)

 A close-up view of Golden Creeping Jenny, showcasing its abundant small green leaves in vibrant detail.
  • Bright golden foliage
  • Spreads quickly in moist soil
  • Adds bright color to shady areas

20. Dragon’s Blood Sedum (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’)

A vibrant Dragon's Blood Sedum plant with striking red flowers flourishing in a well-maintained garden setting.
  • 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)

A close-up view of a cluster of delicate white Candytuft flowers, showcasing their intricate petals and vibrant beauty.

22. Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Purple Creeping Mazus flowers scattered throughout a grassy area, creating a colorful natural scene.
  • Purple or white flowers
  • Forms a dense mat
  • Tolerates light foot traffic

23. Lantana (Lantana camara)

 Lantana 'Sugar Baby' displaying bright, multicolored blooms surrounded by rich green foliage in a garden.
  • Colorful flowers throughout summer
  • Drought-tolerant
  • Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

24. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)

 A serene pond adorned with vibrant purple Moss Phlox flowers and scattered rocks, creating a tranquil natural scene.
  • Spring flowers in various colors
  • Forms a dense, low-growing mat
  • Good for rock gardens

25. Creeping Speedwell (Veronica repens)

A cluster of blue Creeping Speedwell flowers blooming amidst lush green grass.
  • 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)

A vibrant plant featuring purple flowers and lush green leaves, showcasing the beauty of Mondo Grass in a natural setting.

27. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

A bush adorned with vibrant red berries, showcasing the beauty of bearberry in a natural setting.
  • Red berries in fall
  • Glossy, evergreen leaves
  • Tolerates poor soil

28. Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

A Wintercreeper plant featuring vibrant green and white variegated leaves, showcasing its unique foliage.
  • Evergreen leaves, often variegated
  • Climbs or spreads as ground cover
  • Tolerates various conditions

29. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

A serene garden scene showcasing a pathway crafted from Blue Star Creeper plants, surrounded by blooming flowers.
  • Tiny blue flowers
  • Forms a dense, low mat
  • Tolerates light foot traffic

30. Creeping Gardenia (Gardenia radicans)

A Creeping Gardenia plant featuring delicate white flowers amidst lush green leaves, showcasing its natural beauty.
  • Fragrant white flowers
  • Glossy, evergreen leaves
  • Prefers partial shade

Planting and Care Tips

To ensure success with your ground cover plants:

  1. Prepare the soil well before planting
  2. Space plants according to their mature spread
  3. Water regularly until established
  4. Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture
  5. 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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