The Top 12 Best Plants for Ground Coverage

Groundcovers are an essential component of any beautiful and functional landscape. These low-growing plants spread across the soil to form a living “carpet” that helps suppress weeds, prevent erosion, and add visual interest. When selecting the best ground cover plants it’s important to consider factors like sunlight exposure, climate soil conditions, and growth rate.

I looked at a lot of gardening books and websites to make this list of the 12 best plants for ground coverage based on how adaptable they are, how little care they need, and how pretty they look. You’ll be able to find the right plant for your needs, whether you want something that stays green, blooms, smells good, or does well in the shade.

1. Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is one of the most popular choices for ground cover due to its rapid spreading habit, drought tolerance, and appealing foliage. This woody perennial forms a tight mat only 2-4 inches tall, suppressing weeds and providing a pleasant herbal fragrance when stepped on. Pink or white flowers bloom in early summer, attracting pollinators. Creeping thyme thrives in full sun and poor, sandy or rocky soil. Once established, it requires little watering or care.

2. Ajuga

The ajuga plant, which is also called bugleweed, grows quickly and forms a dense mat with its strong stolons. Its attractive leaves come in many colors, such as chocolate, burgundy, tricolor, and more. In the spring, vertical flower spikes come in blue, pink, white, or purple colors. Ajuga spreads quickly, which makes it a great plant for stopping erosion. In cooler places, it can handle full sun, but in hot places, it likes afternoon shade. Regular trimming helps keep its growth contained.

3. Sedum

Sedum has a lot of different hardy, succulent ground covers that do well in both heat and drought. Dragon’s Blood Sedum spurium is one of the most popular. It has green leaves with red edges and star-shaped pink flowers. Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ is another great choice. Its needle-like leaves are chartreuse and turn orange in the winter. Give sedums full sun and well-drained soil. They are tough plants that only need a little care and water to grow into a dense mat.

4. Creeping Phlox

A traditional favorite, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) produces an abundance of pretty flowers in spring. The five-petaled blooms come in various colors like pink, purple, blue, and white depending on the variety. This perennial grows only 4-6 inches tall but spreads up to 2 feet wide, suppressing weeds nicely. Creeping phlox thrives in full sun and average to sandy soil. After flowering finishes, shear plants back to encourage dense growth.

5. Lilyturf

For a lush, grassy texture all year round, look no further than lilyturf (Liriope spicata). This tough, spreading perennial reaches 6-12 inches tall and expands through underground rhizomes. The strap-like, arching foliage provides excellent erosion control on slopes. Clusters of light purple flowers appear late summer into fall. Lilyturf tolerates full sun but prefers some afternoon shade in hot climates. It’s quite drought and pest resistant when established.

6. Dwarf Periwinkle

Also known as vinca minor, this popular ground cover withstands challenging growing conditions. The glossy green foliage remains evergreen in mild winter areas. Masses of blue or white flowers bloom in spring. Periwinkle spreads aggressively via underground runners, so keep it contained within landscape beds or hardscape. It tolerates full sun but prefers afternoon shade. Drought resistant and deer resistant once established, this carefree plant requires occasional trimming to look its best.

7. Deadnettle

Deadnettle (Lamium) is a great plant for adding color to shady spots. This plant grows back every year and makes a dense carpet that is 6 to 8 inches tall. It spreads by stolons and rhizomes. The variegated silver and green leaves provide year-round interest. Depending on the type, blooms come out in the spring and summer in shades of white, pink, purple, or red. Deadnettle thrives in part to full shade. Regular shearing encourages full, bushy growth.

8. Woolly Thyme

As a drought-tolerant evergreen perennial, woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is ideal for hot, dry sites with poor soil. The fuzzy gray-green leaves form a tight mat only 2-3 inches tall. Light pink or purple flowers add color in early summer. Woolly thyme needs full sun, good drainage, and very little watering or maintenance once established. It’s an excellent rock garden plant. Shear plants after flowering to encourage bushy regrowth.

9. Creeping Juniper

For covering large open areas, creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is a top evergreen choice. Available in green or blue-green shades, the flattened sprawling branches form a dense mat 6-12 inches tall. This hardy conifer tolerates a wide range of soils, hot temperatures, coastal conditions, and drought. Plant creeping juniper where other ground covers struggle. Avoid excessive moisture which can lead to disease. Little pruning or maintenance is required.

10. Sweet Woodruff

Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) thrives in shade where few plants bloom. This spring-flowering perennial reaches 6-12 inches tall and spreads readily by seed. The whorls of elliptic leaves remain attractive all season long. Tiny white star-shaped flowers produce a sweet vanilla fragrance in spring. Sweet woodruff grows best in part to full shade with medium to moist well-draining soil. It spreads aggressively in ideal conditions but is more manageable in dry shade.

11. Corsican Mint

Looking for a fragrant evergreen ground cover? Try Corsican mint (Mentha requienii). This aromatic creeper produces tiny leaves with a refreshing minty scent when crushed. Inconspicuous light purple or white flowers may bloom in summer. Corsican mint stays under 1 inch tall but spreads vigorously so site it carefully. Full sun and consistent moisture produce the best growth. It can handle some foot traffic. Keep it contained by mowing or shearing occasionally.

12. Ice Plant

For hot, dry climates, ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) is the perfect drought tolerant ground cover. Fleshy succulent leaves give rise to daisy-like flowers in neon shades of pink, yellow, orange and purple. Growing just 2-3 inches tall, this South African native needs zero supplemental water once established. Ice plant thrives in full sun and lean sandy or gravelly soil with excellent drainage. Avoid overwatering which can lead to rot. Little maintenance is required.

When installed properly, the right ground cover plants can produce a lush living carpet with minimal input. Just be sure to select varieties suited to your region’s climate and site conditions. Favor drought tolerant choices that require less watering and care. With the top options above, you can easily create a beautiful low-maintenance landscape. Determine your needs, weigh the spreading tendencies of each plant, and get ready to watch your new ground covers thrive!