If you’ve ever tried digging into heavy clay soil, you know it can feel like you’re battling a block of concrete. It’s dense, slow to drain, and can turn into a sticky mess when wet or a rock-hard surface when dry—not exactly a dream for gardeners.
But here’s the good news: clay soil isn’t a lost cause. In fact, with the right approach (and the right plants), it can be incredibly fertile and supportive. That’s where ground covers come in.
So, here are 16 reliable ground cover plants that I (and many other gardeners) have turned to when dealing with difficult clay conditions. If you’re ready to stop fighting your soil and start working with it, these tough but beautiful plants might just be your new favorites.
1. Creeping Thyme
Aromatic and tough, Creeping Thyme thrives where others falter. This low-growing herb is perfect for sunny spots, forming a fragrant carpet that deters weeds.
Its tiny purple flowers attract pollinators, enhancing its charm. While it spreads quickly, it’s easy to manage, making it ideal for filling gaps between stones or covering slopes. Its ability to withstand poor drainage and compact soil makes it a favorite for clay-heavy gardens.
Versatile and resilient, this thyme variety requires little water once established, offering a fragrant, colorful solution to challenging spots.
2. Herniaria Glabra
Delight in the resilience of Herniaria Glabra, a ground cover that hugs the ground tightly. Known as Rupturewort, this plant excels in poor soils, including compacted clay.
Its dense, mat-like growth suppresses weeds effectively, making it a gardener’s ally. Perfect for use in pathways or as an underplanting, Herniaria Glabra handles foot traffic with ease.
It prefers partial shade and requires minimal watering once established. With its subtle green hue, it’s a reliable choice for those seeking a hardy, no-fuss ground cover.
3. Snow-In-Summer
Despite its cool name, Snow-in-Summer loves basking in sunlight. This hardy perennial is well-suited for clay soils, particularly in sunny, dry locations.
It features silvery foliage topped with a flurry of white blossoms in early summer. Its rapid spread across poor soil conditions helps suppress weeds while its drought tolerance adds to its appeal.
Whether cascading over walls or filling empty garden expanses, this plant’s striking contrast of leaf and flower enhances any landscape.
4. Creeping Jenny
Brighten up your garden with this one, known for its yellow foliage. This plant thrives in moist, clay soils, making it perfect for areas with poor drainage.
Its trailing habit allows it to spread quickly, covering ground effectively while adding a splash of color. Ideal for borders and container spills, it tolerates partial shade and sun, adapting well to various garden settings.
Though aggressive, its cheerful appearance and minimal care needs make it a popular choice for those looking to brighten difficult areas.
5. Heuchera
Also known as Coral Bells, this one stands out with its colorful, ruffled leaves. Preferring partial shade, this plant adapts well to clay soils, offering a striking contrast with its foliage.
Its tidy growth habit makes it ideal for borders and pathways. While drought-tolerant once established, Heuchera appreciates occasional watering.
Its ability to handle poor drainage and compacted ground makes it a favorite among gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty. The delicate blooms that rise above the leaves add a whimsical touch to any garden.
6. Pachysandra
A reliable ground cover that thrives in deep shade where other plants struggle. Its glossy green leaves form a dense mat, effectively suppressing weeds.
Adaptable to clay soil, Pachysandra spreads slowly, making it manageable and ideal for shaded garden areas. Requiring little care once established, it provides a green carpet with minimal effort.
This evergreen plant is perfect for creating a serene, low-maintenance landscape beneath trees or in shaded borders, offering year-round appeal and functionality.
7. Hosta
Famed for its bold foliage, this one brings texture and color to shaded clay soils. Its large, waxy leaves create a backdrop, thriving under trees and in dappled light.
While Hostas prefer moist soil, they tolerate clay well, making them a versatile choice for challenging areas. Their ability to suppress weeds and tolerate poor drainage adds to their appeal.
With minimal maintenance, Hostas return year after year, offering seasonal interest with their variety of leaf shapes and hues.
8. Liriope
Resilient and graceful, Liriope thrives in clay soils where other plants may not. Known for its grassy foliage and purple flower spikes, it brings color and texture to borders and edges.
Liriope tolerates partial shade and poor drainage, making it a versatile addition to difficult garden areas. Its clumping habit helps suppress weeds while requiring minimal maintenance.
As a reliable, low-maintenance ground cover, Liriope provides both beauty and functionality, enhancing garden spaces with ease and elegance.
9. Epimedium
Often referred to as Barrenwort, Epimedium is a ground cover that thrives in challenging conditions. Its heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers bring charm to shady, clay-filled areas.
Known for its drought tolerance and adaptability, Epimedium handles compacted soil with grace. Its slow-spreading habit makes it manageable, ideal for borders and underplantings.
Once established, it requires little care, offering a serene appearance throughout the seasons. Epimedium is a gardener’s secret weapon for beautifying tough spots.
10. Lamb’s Ear
Known for its soft, velvety foliage and thrives in sunny, clay-heavy soils. Its silvery leaves create a stunning contrast against darker plantings, adding visual interest to garden beds.
This drought-tolerant plant covers ground effectively, suppressing weeds with ease. Ideal for sunny borders and rock gardens, Lamb’s Ear requires little maintenance once established.
Its unique texture and resilience make it a beloved choice for gardeners seeking a touch of softness and practicality in their landscapes.
11. Sedum
A powerhouse in poor soil conditions. Thriving in full sun, it needs minimal water, making it perfect for clay soil areas with good drainage.
Sedum’s ability to spread quickly helps cover ground while adding a touch of color with its starry flowers. Ideal for rock gardens and edging, it suppresses weeds effectively.
With numerous varieties available, Sedum offers a range of colors and forms, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for any garden style.
12. Vinca Minor
Vinca Minor, or Periwinkle, is a ground cover that brings a splash of color to shaded, clay-heavy areas. Its glossy green leaves and violet flowers form a dense mat that suppresses weeds while adding beauty.
Known for its hardiness, Vinca Minor tolerates poor drainage and compacted soil with ease. Its trailing habit allows it to cover ground quickly, making it a reliable choice for borders and slopes.
With minimal care needed, it’s a garden staple for those seeking low-maintenance elegance.
13. Barren Strawberry
This one is a delightful ground cover known for its cheerful yellow blooms. Thriving in clay soils, it prefers partial shade and forms a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds.
Its low-growing nature makes it ideal for borders and woodland settings. Barren Strawberry’s ability to handle poor drainage and compacted soil adds to its appeal, offering a reliable and attractive solution for difficult garden spots.
With minimal maintenance, it provides seasonal interest and a burst of color in spring.
14. Ground Morning Glory
Ideal for sunny locations, this ground cover flourishes in clay soil, spreading its trailing vines gracefully.
Its drought tolerance makes it a practical choice for challenging areas, while its vibrant blossoms add a splash of color to borders and containers.
Ground Morning Glory’s ability to thrive in poor soil conditions ensures it remains a favorite for gardeners seeking beauty with minimal upkeep. It’s a charming addition to any sunlit garden.
15. Bugleweed
Versatile and reliable, Bugleweed thrives in shade and adapts well to clay soils. Its glossy leaves and blue flower spikes create a stunning display in shaded garden areas.
Known for its creeping habit, Bugleweed effectively suppresses weeds, making it an excellent choice for underplantings or filling large areas. Its tolerance for compacted soil and ability to thrive with minimal care make it a gardener’s ally.
Perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance ground cover, Bugleweed adds both beauty and functionality to the landscape.
16. Sweet Woodruff
With its delightful fragrance and delicate appearance, Sweet Woodruff is a garden favorite. This plant thrives in shaded areas, making it perfect for under trees or alongside north-facing paths.
Despite its gentle look, it is incredibly hardy, adapting well to clay soils. Sweet Woodruff is not just a pretty face; it offers a subtle sweet scent that enhances garden ambiance.
Historically used in making May wine, this plant adds a touch of tradition to modern gardens. Easy to manage, it requires little upkeep, thriving naturally in diverse conditions.