Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread out to make a thick mat that keeps weeds from growing. They are great for covering up bare spots, keeping slopes from washing away, and replacing lawn grass. There are many pretty perennials that look great as ground covers. However, annuals and herbs are some of the easiest to grow from seeds.
When selecting ground cover seeds, it’s important to consider factors like sunlight, soil type, hardiness zone, and desired height. Luckily, there are many options for both sun and shade. Here are 10 of the easiest ground covers you can grow from seed:
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a hardy perennial ground cover that thrives in full sun It grows just 2-4 inches tall but spreads up to 18 inches wide Creeping thyme produces clusters of pink to purple flowers over fragrant foliage in summer, It grows in zones 4-9 and tolerates some foot traffic when established,
Creeping thyme is very easy to grow from seed started indoors. Sow seeds in starter trays and transplant seedlings 12 inches apart after the last frost. It can also be directly sown in spring.
2. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a short ground cover beloved for its fragrant white blooms and easy care. This quick-growing annual reaches just 4-6 inches tall but spreads up to 2 feet wide. Sweet alyssum grows in full sun in zones 4-9.
These ground cover seeds can be directly sown after the last spring frost. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost and transplant seedlings 6 inches apart after hardening off.
3. Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata, or creeping phlox, is a popular early spring flower that makes a pretty, low-maintenance evergreen ground cover. It only gets 6 inches tall but can spread out to 2 feet across. It blooms with pretty white, pink, purple, and other colors from March to May. Creeping phlox thrives in full sun in zones 3-9.
You can sow creeping phlox seeds directly in fall or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Transplant seedlings 9 inches apart after hardening off. This ground cover may reseed itself.
4. Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) has fragrant foliage and produces small white and yellow daisy-like flowers. This perennial herb doubles as an aromatic ground cover, growing about 6 inches tall and spreading 1-2 feet wide in zones 4-9.
You can directly sow Roman chamomile seeds after the last spring frost. For a head start, begin seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost and transplant seedlings 1 foot apart.
5. Purple Dragonhead
Purple dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica) is an easy annual for cottage gardens. It reaches 1-2 feet tall with spikes of blue-purple snapdragon-like flowers in summer. This herb thrives in sun or part shade in moderately fertile soil.
Plant purple dragonhead seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area for early blooms. Once the seedlings are hardened off, move them to a spot 1 foot apart. You can also direct sow after the last frost, making sure the seeds are thinned out or spaced out 1 foot apart.
6. Verbena
Verbena, or Verbena x hybrida, is an annual plant that grows in pots or garden beds and trails. It blooms profusely and spreads out to be about 2 to 3 feet wide and only 4 to 6 inches tall. Flower colors include white, pink, purple, scarlet, and multicolored mixes. Verbenas thrive in full sun in zones 9-11.
You can start verbena 8 weeks before your last frost or direct sow after the last frost, spacing seeds 9-12 inches apart. Keep young plants consistently moist until established.
7. Creeping Zinnia
Unlike its upright relatives, creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) grows just 6 inches tall but spreads 1-2 feet wide—perfect as a low flowering ground cover! It produces abundant orange daisy-like blooms from spring until frost. Creeping zinnia thrives in zones 9-10.
These quick growers are best direct sown after the last frost, as they dislike being transplanted. Space seeds 8-12 inches apart in sunny, well-draining soil.
8. Snow-in-Summer
Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is a hardy perennial that forms a 4-8 inch tall mat of silvery gray-green leaves and masses of small white blooms from late spring to midsummer. It thrives in zones 3-7 in full sun and dry, infertile soil.
You can sow snow-in-summer seeds directly in spring or fall. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors, transplanting 9-12 inches apart after hardening off. Shear spent plants to promote spreading.
9. Irish Moss
Irish moss (Sagina subulata) is a super low moss-like evergreen perennial that grows just 1-2 inches tall. Its delicate texture and emerald color make it ideal between flagstones or as a lawn substitute. Tiny white blooms cover plants in late spring. Irish moss thrives in part sun to shade in zones 4-10.
Sow Irish moss seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last frost since germination is slow. Transplant plugs 4-6 inches apart, or direct sow once soil reaches 60°F. Water regularly until established.
10. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a spreading shade-loving perennial that reaches 4-8 inches tall and produces clusters of tiny fragrant white flowers in spring. Its leaves smell pleasantly of new mown hay. Sweet woodruff grows in part to full shade in zones 4-8.
For earliest blooms, stratify seeds 2-4 weeks before starting indoors. Transplant plugs 8 inches apart after hardening off, or direct sow in late winter or early spring. Water regularly the first year.
The possibilities for ground covers are nearly endless, but these 10 are some of the easiest to grow from seed. Proper planting and care will reward you with flowers, fragrance, and lush carpets of color. With the right selection for your conditions, you can create gorgeous, low-maintenance ground cover.