10 Best Ground Cover Plants for Your Garden

Ground cover plants are the unsung heroes of the garden. These low-growing plants not only add beauty and visual interest but also offer practical benefits like suppressing weeds and preventing erosion.

Before we dig into our list of ground cover options, let’s take a moment to understand why ground cover plants are such valuable assets to your garden landscape.

Choosing the Right Ground Cover for Your Garden

When it comes to selecting the perfect ground cover plants for your garden, there are several factors to consider to ensure success. Here are some key criteria to keep in mind:

First, different ground cover plants thrive in varying environmental conditions and soil types.

Before choosing any plants, assess the sunlight exposure, soil drainage, and moisture levels in your garden. Some ground cover plants prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial or full shade.

Similarly, certain plants prefer well-draining soil, while others can tolerate moist or even soggy conditions.

You’ll also want to consider the level of maintenance each ground cover plant requires.

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Some plants are low-maintenance and require little more than occasional watering and pruning, while others may need more frequent attention, such as regular deadheading or division.

By carefully considering these criteria, you can narrow down your options and select the best ground cover plants for your needs.

Top 10 Ground Cover Plants

Your ground cover options are practically endless. That said, here are a few of our favorite varieties.

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

• Creeping thyme is a low-growing herbaceous perennial with tiny aromatic leaves and clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers.
• Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
• Requires minimal maintenance once established, occasional watering during dry spells, and light pruning to maintain shape.
• Creates a lush carpet of foliage and flowers, perfect for filling in gaps between stepping stones or cascading over rock walls.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

• Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading perennial with bright green, rounded leaves and small yellow flowers.
• Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
• Requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist and occasional pruning to prevent overgrowth.
• Adds a pop of vibrant color and texture to shady areas or containers, and is excellent for stabilizing soil on slopes.

Sedum (Sedum spp.)

• Sedums are succulent plants with fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or yellow.
• Thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.
• Drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering and occasional pruning to remove dead foliage.
• Offers a striking contrast of colors and textures, ideal for rock gardens, containers, or as a ground cover in sunny locations.

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

• Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a low-growing perennial with glossy, bronze-purple leaves and spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers.
• Grows well in moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade.
• Low-maintenance, requiring regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist and occasional division to control spread.
• Provides a dense carpet of foliage and colorful blooms, perfect for shady borders, woodland gardens, or under trees.

Vinca Minor (Vinca minor)

• Vinca minor, also known as periwinkle or creeping myrtle, is a trailing evergreen with glossy, dark green leaves and delicate blue or purple flowers.
• Thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
• Low-maintenance, requiring occasional watering during dry spells and light pruning to control spread.
• Forms a dense mat of foliage and flowers, making it an excellent choice for filling in shady areas, slopes, or under trees.

Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

• Corsican mint is a diminutive herbaceous perennial with tiny, rounded leaves and tiny lilac-colored flowers.
• Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
• Requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist and benefits from light pruning to encourage bushier growth.
• Releases a delightful minty fragrance when crushed and forms a lush carpet of foliage, perfect for planting between stepping stones or in rock gardens.

Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

• Blue star creeper is a low-growing perennial with delicate, star-shaped blue flowers and bright green foliage.
• Thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
• Requires regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist and benefits from occasional pruning to maintain shape.
• Forms a dense, spreading mat of foliage and flowers, ideal for planting between pavers, along pathways, or as a lawn alternative in small areas.

Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)

• Dianthus, also known as pinks or carnations, are compact perennials with grassy foliage and clusters of fragrant, colorful flowers.
• Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
• Low-maintenance, requiring occasional watering during dry spells and deadheading to prolong blooming.
• Offers a profusion of blooms in various hues, adding charm and fragrance to borders, rock gardens, or containers.

Mazus (Mazus reptans)

• Mazus is a creeping perennial with small, glossy leaves and tiny lavender, white, or pink flowers.
• Grows well in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
• Low-maintenance, requiring regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist and occasional pruning to control spread.
• Forms a dense carpet of foliage and flowers, ideal for edging pathways, rock gardens, or as a ground cover in moist areas.

Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

• Irish moss is a moss-like perennial with tiny, emerald-green leaves and tiny white flowers.
• Thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
• Requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist and benefits from light pruning to maintain a tidy appearance.
• Creates a lush, velvety carpet of greenery, perfect for planting between stones, in rock gardens, or as a lawn alternative in shady areas.