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In a world where towering perennials and show-stopping trees often steal the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook the quiet heroes at your feet: ground covers. These low-growing beauties may be small in stature, but they pack a powerful punch when it comes to transforming gardens into vibrant, lush, and low-maintenance ecosystems.
From preventing soil erosion and suppressing weeds to adding rich texture and seasonal color, ground covers are versatile, visually striking, and incredibly functional. Whether you’re looking to soften the edges of a path, replace a thirsty lawn, or brighten a shady corner, the right ground cover can work wonders.
Let’s dig into the world of ground covers—discovering the best varieties, planting strategies, design ideas, and year-round care tips to help you harness their full potential.
Ground covers are low-growing plants—typically under 12 inches tall—that spread across the soil surface, creating a dense mat of foliage, blooms, or both. They grow by creeping stems, rhizomes, or runners, quickly filling in bare spaces and offering a natural alternative to mulch or turf.
Ground covers fall into many plant categories, including perennials, annuals, vines, grasses, succulents, and even some shrubs bred for compact form.
Their dense growth smothers weeds, reducing the need for frequent mulching or hand-pulling.
Ground covers protect topsoil from erosion caused by wind and rain—especially on slopes and embankments.
They help retain soil moisture by shading the ground and reducing evaporation.
With a wide variety of colors, textures, and flower types, ground covers add beauty, balance, and contrast to garden beds.
Replacing parts of your lawn with ground covers reduces water use, fertilization, and mowing.
Add seasonal blooms while covering the soil.
Creeping Thyme: Fragrant, bee-friendly, purple blooms.
Ajuga (Bugleweed): Bold foliage, blue flowers, spreads well.
Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox): Stunning spring carpets in pink, white, purple.
Candytuft: Low, spreading evergreen with springtime white flowers.
Provide year-round greenery and stability.
Pachysandra: Perfect for deep shade.
Vinca minor (Periwinkle): Glossy leaves, purple-blue flowers.
Ivy (Hedera helix): Hardy climber and ground spreader.
Thrive in full sun and dry conditions.
Sedum (Stonecrop): Succulent leaves, great for rock gardens.
Ice Plant (Delosperma): Drought-tolerant with dazzling blooms.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia): Fast-spreading chartreuse foliage.
Ideal for under trees or along north-facing walls.
Sweet Woodruff: Aromatic and deer-resistant.
Lungwort: Spotted leaves and early spring flowers.
Wild Ginger: Native, low-maintenance, and attractive foliage.
Full Sun (6+ hrs/day): Creeping thyme, sedum, phlox.
Part Sun (3–6 hrs/day): Ajuga, creeping Jenny, vinca.
Full Shade (<3 hrs/day): Pachysandra, ivy, sweet woodruff.
Wet soil? Try marsh marigold or creeping Jenny.
Dry, sandy soil? Sedum and creeping thyme thrive here.
Fast spreaders (good for slopes): Ajuga, vinca.
Slow spreaders (for tight spaces): Hellebores, dwarf mondo grass.
Walkable: Creeping thyme, dwarf mondo grass, Irish moss.
Ornamental only: Most flowering or delicate types.
Outline garden beds or pathways with low-growing options like creeping Jenny or dwarf sedge.
Use under shrubs, perennials, and even trees to retain moisture and add contrast.
Stabilize slopes with dense mat-formers like bugleweed or vinca.
Swap out thirsty turf for drought-tolerant sedum or clover.
Ground covers bridge the gap between stones, logs, and structural elements.
Trowel or spade
Garden gloves
Mulch (optional)
Compost or soil conditioner
Weed the area thoroughly.
Loosen soil and mix in compost for improved drainage and fertility.
Space plants appropriately (usually 6–12 inches apart depending on spread).
Plant at soil level, firm in, and water well.
Mulch lightly to control initial weeds (but not on stems).
Water regularly until established (typically 4–6 weeks).
Lightly fertilize.
Prune dead or winter-damaged stems.
Divide aggressive growers if necessary.
Monitor for drought stress.
Weed occasionally until fully established.
Trim for shape or to encourage reblooming.
Rake away debris.
Apply light mulch for frost protection.
Divide again if plants are overcrowding.
Most evergreen ground covers stay attractive.
Avoid salt damage from walkways (use eco-friendly deicers).
Many flowering ground covers support native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Creeping thyme: Bees love the nectar-rich blooms.
Phlox subulata: Early nectar source for pollinators.
Clover: Feeds bees and fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris): Native and medicinal with small purple blooms.
Reduces need for irrigation and mowing.
Cuts down on chemical use by minimizing weeds.
Encourages biodiversity and habitat creation.
Lower-maintenance = less stress.
Visually softens and cools outdoor areas.
Pleasant scents (e.g., creeping thyme) contribute to aromatherapy.
Ground covers may grow low, but their contribution to your garden is anything but small. These low-growing beauties not only improve aesthetics but also strengthen ecosystems, reduce maintenance, and increase biodiversity.
Whether you’re designing a full lawn alternative, stabilizing a slope, or adding soft texture between stepping stones, there’s a perfect ground cover waiting to grow into your garden story.
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