Tree roots can be tricky to garden around in Florida, but that doesn’t mean your yard has to be bare. These 11 ground covers love snuggling up to roots and bring life to spots that usually get ignored in the Sunshine State.
I’ve tried a few of them myself, and it’s amazing how much color and texture they add without any fuss. Get ready to see those shady, root-filled areas turn into the coziest little garden corners in Florida.
1. Asiatic Jasmine
Looking for a low-maintenance solution? This versatile ground cover creates a lush carpet that spreads beautifully under tree canopies across Florida landscapes.
With its ability to tolerate both sun and shade, Asiatic jasmine doesn’t mind competing with tree roots for resources. Its glossy leaves stay attractive year-round, requiring minimal care once established.
2. Mondo Grass
Grass-like tufts create an elegant carpet beneath trees without causing root competition. Florida gardeners appreciate how mondo grass maintains its neat appearance with minimal fuss.
The slow-growing nature means it won’t need frequent trimming, even in Florida’s extended growing season. Available in standard and dwarf varieties, it adapts to different spaces while handling the challenging conditions near tree roots.
3. Periwinkle
Cheerful blue-purple flowers pop against glossy foliage, brightening shady spots beneath trees. The trailing stems root as they spread, creating a sturdy network that helps prevent erosion on Florida’s sandy soils.
Despite its delicate appearance, periwinkle handles tough conditions with remarkable resilience. Many Florida homeowners choose this ground cover for its ability to thrive where grass struggles, especially in the dappled light under tree canopies.
4. Creeping Jenny
Bright chartreuse foliage adds a pop of color to shaded areas under trees. The fast-spreading habit quickly fills bare patches where Florida’s native grasses struggle to grow.
Tiny yellow flowers appear in summer, adding extra visual interest to this already striking plant. In Florida’s humid climate, creeping Jenny thrives with minimal attention, making it perfect for busy homeowners who want beautiful results without constant maintenance.
5. Liriope
Hardy and adaptable, liriope creates neat clumps of grass-like foliage that stand up to challenging conditions. Summer brings spikes of purple flowers that attract butterflies, adding movement to Florida garden spaces.
Sometimes called lily turf, this resilient plant handles Florida’s heat and humidity with ease. Its strong root system doesn’t mind competing with tree roots, making it an excellent choice for those difficult spots where other plants fail to thrive.
6. Sweet Woodruff
Delicate star-shaped leaves form a lacy carpet that smells sweetly when crushed underfoot. In spring, tiny white flowers appear like a dusting of snow beneath tree canopies across Florida gardens.
Despite its dainty appearance, sweet woodruff handles challenging conditions remarkably well. Florida gardeners appreciate how it spreads gently without becoming invasive, filling in difficult spots with its charming foliage and pleasant fragrance.
7. Ajuga
Also known as bugleweed, this low-growing perennial creates a dense carpet of interesting foliage. The leaves often show purple, bronze, or variegated patterns that add visual interest to Florida’s shady garden spots.
Spring brings spikes of blue-purple flowers that rise above the foliage like miniature towers. Florida gardeners value ajuga for its ability to spread and fill difficult areas while suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion around tree roots.
8. Ferns
Various fern species naturally thrive in the dappled light beneath trees, creating a woodland feel. Their feathery fronds add texture and movement to Florida landscapes while handling the challenging root competition.
Native varieties like southern wood fern and cinnamon fern are particularly well-adapted to Florida’s growing conditions. Their extensive but shallow root systems allow them to establish without disturbing tree roots, creating a harmonious relationship in the garden.
9. Coral Bells
Colorful foliage in shades of purple, bronze, silver, or chartreuse creates year-round interest. Tiny bell-shaped flowers appear on tall stems above the leaves, attracting hummingbirds to Florida gardens.
Despite their delicate appearance, coral bells handle the challenging conditions near tree roots surprisingly well. Florida gardeners appreciate how these versatile perennials maintain their good looks through changing seasons, even in difficult growing spaces.
10. Confederate Jasmine
Fragrant star-shaped white flowers fill the air with sweet perfume each spring. Though technically a vine, when used as ground cover it creates a lush carpet that handles Florida’s challenging growing conditions beautifully.
The glossy evergreen leaves remain attractive all year, even during Florida’s occasional dry spells. Its vigorous growth helps it compete successfully with tree roots while its sprawling habit quickly covers bare patches where grass struggles to grow.
11. Dwarf Palmetto
For a truly Florida-native option, consider this small palm that naturally grows in the understory of forests. The fan-shaped leaves create a bold texture that contrasts beautifully with other ground covers.
Extremely drought-tolerant once established, dwarf palmetto handles the challenging conditions near tree roots with ease. Florida gardeners appreciate its low maintenance needs and its ability to provide habitat for native wildlife while solving difficult landscaping challenges.