Ground covers saved me from staring at boring bare patches and constantly pulling weeds. I wanted something low-key but still pretty, and wow—there are so many options that actually do both.
Some spread like a dream, others stay neatly in their lane, but all of them make your yard look like you planned it that way. No more fussing over high-maintenance grass or empty spots.
These ideas are simple, beautiful, and might just be the finishing touch your landscape’s been missing.
1. Creeping Thyme
Have you ever walked barefoot over a patch of thyme? It’s like nature’s gentle massage! Creeping Thyme, with its tiny purple flowers, spreads like a living carpet across the ground. It’s low maintenance and drought-resistant, making it perfect for those sunny spots in your garden.
Imagine the aroma it releases as you brush past, adding a sensory delight to your garden walks. And guess what? It’s a bee magnet, inviting these buzzing pollinators to your garden. This little beauty not only softens hard edges but also enriches your garden’s biodiversity!
2. Sweet Woodruff
Tucked away in the shadows, Sweet Woodruff provides a serene backdrop with its whorls of star-shaped white flowers. Its subtle fragrance is reminiscent of newly mown hay and adds a whisper of enchantment to shaded areas.
This ground cover thrives under trees, spreading an emerald green hue that brightens up darker corners. It’s deer-resistant too, so you won’t have to worry about it becoming a woodland snack. Whether it’s gracing your woodland garden or softening a shaded path, Sweet Woodruff is the gentle spirit you didn’t know you needed!
3. Ice Plant
Looking for a splash of color in a sunny spot? Ice Plant is your go-to! Its vibrant pink, purple, or yellow flowers look almost like jewels against its succulent leaves.
This drought-tolerant plant loves basking in the sun, and its shimmering blooms will keep you smiling all summer long. In addition to its good looks, Ice Plant is a great option for erosion control on slopes. It’s like having a tropical paradise right in your backyard, no matter where you live!
4. Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Say hello to Ajuga, also known as Bugleweed, with its striking deep blue flower spikes that rise above a sea of glossy leaves. This ground cover is a true show-stopper in spring, when it bursts into bloom.
It’s a versatile plant that thrives in both sun and shade, forming a dense mat that suppresses weeds. The dark foliage of some varieties adds year-round interest and depth to your garden. Bugleweed is as tough as nails, yet it brings a touch of elegance that softens the garden’s edges beautifully.
5. Creeping Jenny
Don’t let the name fool you! Creeping Jenny is anything but ordinary, with its bright chartreuse leaves that spill joyfully over edges and pathways. This vigorous ground cover brightens any corner with its sunny disposition.
Perfect for moist, well-drained soil, this plant adds a pop of color that transitions beautifully into the golden hues of fall. It’s a fantastic choice for containers, hanging baskets, or as a ground-hugging hero in the garden. Creeping Jenny is your ticket to an effortlessly cheerful landscape.
6. Lamb’s Ear
With fuzzy, silver-grey leaves that are as soft as a lamb’s ear, this plant is a tactile delight! Lamb’s Ear is a favorite among children who love to touch its velvety foliage.
This ground cover thrives in sunny, dry spots and requires little care—perfect for those who prefer low-maintenance gardens. Its subtle color contrasts beautifully with more vibrant flowers, and it’s an excellent choice for borders or underplanting larger shrubs. Lamb’s Ear adds a touch of whimsy to any garden with its unique texture.
7. Corsican Mint
Imagine a ground cover that perfumes the air with minty freshness—meet Corsican Mint! This diminutive plant boasts tiny, bright green leaves that release a refreshing scent when stepped on.
Ideal for planting between stepping stones, it creates a lush, fragrant walkway. Corsican Mint prefers partial shade and consistent moisture, perfect for those damp spots that need a little love. It’s as practical as it is delightful, adding sensory joy to your garden strolls!
8. Deadnettle (Lamium)
Don’t let the name deter you; Deadnettle is full of charm with its silver-speckled leaves and delicate pink or white flowers. This plant thrives in shade, brightening up those tricky areas under trees and shrubs.
Its vigorous growth habit makes it a reliable ground cover, preventing soil erosion while adding floral interest. Deadnettle’s unique foliage adds year-round texture and color, making it a perennial favorite for gardeners looking to add depth to their landscapes.
9. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum, also known as Stonecrop, is a succulent ground cover that loves the sun. With its fleshy leaves and starry flowers, it’s a great pick for dry, rocky areas.
These hardy plants come in a spectrum of colors, from vibrant greens to deep reds, offering a rainbow of choices for your garden palette. Sedum is practically maintenance-free, thriving on neglect and poor soil, making it perfect for those who crave a hassle-free garden. It’s the resilient friend every gardener needs!
10. Irish Moss
Irish Moss is like nature’s plush carpet, offering a soft, mossy cushion that beckons you to walk barefoot. This low-growing ground cover is perfect for filling in gaps between stones or creating a lush green mat in shady areas.
It thrives in cool, moist environments, and its tiny white flowers add a delicate touch in spring. Irish Moss is an enchanting choice for those looking to add a touch of fairy-tale magic to their landscape.
11. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra)
For a polished, evergreen look, Japanese Spurge is the plant to choose. Its glossy leaves and small white flowers provide a clean, uniform ground cover that’s especially effective under trees.
This plant thrives in the shade and is perfect for creating a neat, orderly appearance in garden beds. Japanese Spurge is low-maintenance and deer-resistant, making it a practical choice for many landscapes. It’s like the reliable friend that keeps your garden looking good all year round!
12. Hens-and-Chicks
Get ready to fall in love with the charming Hens-and-Chicks! This succulent wonder forms rosettes that look like little plant families, with baby ‘chicks’ sprouting around the mother ‘hen.’
Perfect for rock gardens, these plants are drought-tolerant and require minimal care, thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Their unique structure adds a playful touch to your garden, turning ordinary spaces into delightful displays.
13. Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper is like a sky-blue blanket spread across your garden. Its tiny flowers are a subtle nod to the heavens, adding a peaceful vibe to any landscape.
This ground cover is perfect for creating a low-maintenance lawn alternative, thriving in both sun and partial shade. It’s a resilient choice for high-traffic areas, bouncing back beautifully from foot traffic. Let Blue Star Creeper weave its magic in your garden, and you’ll never look back!
14. Mazus Reptans
If you’re craving a splash of color along a water feature, Mazus Reptans is the way to go. This ground cover boasts vibrant purple or blue flowers that look striking against its green foliage.
Ideal for moist areas, it’s a fast-spreader that adds a vibrant touch to your garden’s edges. Mazus Reptans is perfect for those who wish to create a natural-looking water garden with minimal fuss. It’s like a little piece of Monet’s garden right in your backyard!
15. Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)
Periwinkle, or Vinca Minor, is a classic choice for adding a touch of elegance. Its glossy leaves and periwinkle-blue flowers offer a timeless beauty that suits any garden style.
This evergreen ground cover thrives in the shade and controls erosion effortlessly. It’s ideal for cascading over walls or filling in large areas. Periwinkle is the graceful dancer that pirouettes through your garden, bringing continuous charm and color.
16. Golden Creeping Jenny
With its radiant yellow leaves, Golden Creeping Jenny is like sunlight captured in plant form. This vigorous spreader is perfect for adding a golden glow to containers or garden edges.
It thrives in moist soil and can adapt to both sun and shade, making it a versatile addition to any garden. This plant’s cheerful disposition brightens up even the gloomiest corners, making it a must-have for vibrant landscapes.
17. Creeping Phlox
For a cascade of colors, Creeping Phlox is your answer. Its dense mat of blossoms in shades of pink, purple, and white turns any slope into a floral waterfall.
Perfect for rock gardens or borders, it thrives in sunny locations and is a magnet for butterflies. Creeping Phlox is the artist’s palette of the garden, painting your landscape with its vibrant hues every spring.
18. Dwarf Mondo Grass
Dwarf Mondo Grass offers a refined elegance with its low-growing, grass-like leaves. This ground cover is perfect for creating neat, orderly lines in modern landscapes.
It thrives in partial shade, making it ideal for edging paths or underplanting large shrubs. Its year-round deep green color adds a touch of sophistication and tranquility to your garden, making it a favorite among those who love clean, minimalist designs.
19. Clover (Trifolium)
Who says a lawn has to be grass? Clover is the eco-friendly lawn alternative that’s winning hearts with its lush, green cover and tiny white flowers.
It’s low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen. Clover is perfect for those wanting a soft, barefoot-friendly lawn that thrives on minimal care. It’s like walking on a cloud, providing comfort and sustainability in one delightful package.
20. Dichondra
Ever wanted a lawn that looks like a lush, green carpet? Dichondra, with its small, kidney-shaped leaves, offers just that. This ground cover creates a seamless, smooth appearance that’s wonderfully inviting.
It thrives in sunny spots and is perfect for replacing traditional lawns. Dichondra is low-growing and requires minimal mowing, making it a favorite for those who crave a stress-free garden. It’s the chic, modern carpet your garden’s been asking for!