Runner plants have this amazing way of turning any garden into a soft, flowing wonderland. I’ve picked 18 that spill, spread, and creep with the kind of grace that makes every corner feel alive.
They’re perfect for adding movement and texture without a ton of work. Over time, I learned a few tricks to help them really thrive and stay healthy through every season.
If you want your garden to feel like it’s gently unfolding, these plants and tips are a must-try.
1. Creeping Thyme
Got a sunny spot that needs a fragrant carpet? This low-growing herb creates a stunning purple haze when in bloom while releasing a delightful scent when stepped on. Its tiny leaves form dense mats that choke out weeds naturally.
Water creeping thyme sparingly once established – it actually prefers slightly dry conditions. For best spreading, plant in well-draining soil and trim lightly after flowering to encourage dense growth. It’s perfect between stepping stones!
2. Sweet Alyssum
Imagine tiny white, purple, or pink flowers creating a frothy cascade over the edge of your garden. Sweet alyssum produces honey-scented blooms that butterflies can’t resist. The delicate flowers appear in such abundance that they often hide the foliage completely.
For continuous blooming, give this beauty regular water and a light trim midseason. In cooler climates, alyssum blooms from spring through fall. Hot weather may cause a temporary slowdown, but plants typically rebound when temperatures drop again.
3. Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’
Resembling a stream of liquid silver, this stunning trailer creates dramatic cascades up to 6 feet long! The coin-shaped leaves shimmer with a metallic sheen that catches sunlight beautifully. Unlike many runners, dichondra grows for its foliage rather than flowers.
Plant in hanging baskets where the silvery strands can dangle freely. Though drought-tolerant once established, regular watering promotes the longest trails. Pair with purple or blue flowers for a striking color contrast that makes the silver pop even more.
4. Trailing Lobelia
A waterfall of intense blue, purple, or white flowers makes this plant a standout in any garden. The tiny blooms appear in such profusion that they create rivers of color spilling over container edges. Despite its delicate appearance, lobelia is surprisingly tough.
Morning sun with afternoon shade keeps these beauties blooming longest. In hot climates, treat lobelia as a spring and fall plant, as it may struggle during summer heat. A light trim mid-season can rejuvenate tired plants and stimulate a fresh flush of flowers.
5. Creeping Jenny
Bright chartreuse leaves form shining streams of color as this vigorous spreader romps through the garden. The coin-shaped foliage creates a striking contrast against darker plants and hardscaping. In early summer, tiny yellow flowers add extra charm to the already attractive foliage.
Keep an eye on this enthusiastic spreader in rich soil – it can become overly zealous! Ideal for erosion control on slopes or softening the edges of water features. In containers, creeping Jenny’s trailing stems can cascade 2 feet or more over the sides.
6. Trailing Nasturtium
Vibrant orange, yellow, and red blooms tumble cheerfully from these easy-growing vines. The round lily pad-like leaves provide a perfect backdrop for the edible flowers that add a peppery kick to summer salads. Some varieties can trail up to 6 feet in a single season!
Plant nasturtiums in average soil – rich soil produces fewer flowers and more leaves. These colorful trailers actually bloom better when slightly stressed. The seeds are large and easy to handle, making them perfect for gardening with kids.
7. Vinca Minor
Also known as periwinkle, this glossy-leaved evergreen spreads to form a dense mat of dark green topped with periwinkle-blue flowers in spring. The trailing stems root as they touch soil, creating a weed-suppressing carpet perfect for sloped areas and woodland gardens.
Once established, vinca requires almost no maintenance and thrives in difficult spots. It tolerates deep shade where many plants struggle. For a tidy appearance, trim the edges annually to prevent unwanted spreading into lawn areas or neighboring garden beds.
8. Bacopa
Tiny white, blue, or pink flowers blanket this trailing beauty from spring through fall without deadheading. The delicate blooms appear along stems that can cascade 2 feet or more from containers and hanging baskets. Unlike many flowering trailers, bacopa maintains a neat, compact habit.
Keep soil consistently moist for continuous flowering – bacopa will temporarily stop blooming if allowed to dry out completely. It performs beautifully in partial shade, making it perfect for brightening darker corners of patios and porches where other flowering plants might struggle.
9. String of Pearls
Resembling strands of green beads, this succulent creates living necklaces that can dangle several feet from containers. The unusual bead-like leaves store water, making this plant incredibly drought-tolerant. In winter, tiny white flowers with a cinnamon-like scent may appear.
Plant in well-draining cactus soil and water sparingly – overwatering is the quickest way to kill this beauty. Place in bright indirect light for best growth. String of pearls makes a spectacular indoor plant for high shelves where its trailing stems can hang freely.
10. Kenilworth Ivy
Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t a true ivy but a delicate trailer with tiny scalloped leaves that resemble miniature lily pads. The threadlike stems weave through cracks in stone walls or between pavers, creating a fairytale effect. Tiny lavender flowers appear in summer.
Happy in shade where many plants struggle, Kenilworth ivy thrives in moist environments. It’s perfect for fairy gardens or terrariums due to its diminutive size. Despite its delicate appearance, this little beauty is surprisingly tough and will return year after year in milder climates.
11. Aubrieta
A cascade of vibrant purple, pink, or blue flowers transforms walls and rock gardens each spring. Often called rock cress, this low-growing perennial forms a dense mat of semi-evergreen foliage that erupts into a stunning floral display when temperatures warm.
Plant aubrieta in well-draining soil where it can spill over edges for maximum impact. After flowering, trim plants back by about half to maintain a neat shape and prevent woodiness. This European native handles cold winters with ease and returns more vigorous each year.
12. Trailing Verbena
Heat-loving and drought-tolerant, trailing verbena creates rivers of purple, pink, or white flowers that butterflies find irresistible. The spreading stems can reach 3 feet long, making it perfect for spilling over walls or covering bare ground. The finely cut foliage adds textural interest even when not in bloom.
For best flowering, plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Trim lightly after the first flush of blooms fades to encourage a repeat performance. Unlike many trailing plants, verbena stands up to hot, dry conditions without missing a beat.
13. Creeping Phlox
Imagine a living carpet of star-shaped flowers in pink, purple, blue, or white covering your slopes each spring. This tough-as-nails perennial creates waves of color that flow over rocks and walls while suppressing weeds naturally. The needle-like evergreen foliage provides year-round interest.
Once established, creeping phlox needs little care beyond an annual trim after flowering. Plant in well-draining soil where it receives at least 6 hours of sun daily. For a stunning display, combine different colors that will blend together as plants spread.
14. Wire Vine
Delicate yet tough, wire vine creates fountains of tiny round leaves on wiry stems that can trail 6 feet or more. The thread-like branches form an airy texture unlike any other trailing plant. Small white flowers occasionally appear but the main attraction is the unique foliage.
Also called maidenhair vine, this versatile plant thrives in containers where its stems can cascade freely. It tolerates light shade but produces denser growth in brighter spots. The resilient nature makes it perfect for beginning gardeners or those who occasionally forget to water.
15. Calibrachoa
Often called million bells, these tiny petunia lookalikes create color explosions in hanging baskets and containers. The trumpet-shaped blooms appear in such profusion that you can barely see the foliage beneath. Modern varieties come in nearly every color imaginable, including striking bicolors and starry patterns.
Unlike their petunia cousins, calibrachoa blooms don’t get sticky after rain and don’t require deadheading. Feed regularly during the growing season for non-stop flowers. The trailing stems can reach 2 feet long, creating living curtains of color that bloom from spring until frost.
16. Sedum ‘Angelina’
Needle-like foliage in brilliant gold creates living sunshine as this succulent spreads through the garden. The chartreuse color intensifies to orange and red tones in cooler weather, adding seasonal drama. Yellow star-shaped flowers appear in summer but the colorful foliage is the main attraction.
Incredibly drought-tolerant once established, ‘Angelina’ thrives in poor soil where many plants struggle. Its shallow roots make it perfect for rock gardens and green roofs. The trailing stems root where they touch soil, creating a weed-suppressing mat that looks good year-round.
17. Ivy Geranium
Unlike their upright cousins, ivy geraniums have a naturally trailing habit that’s perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes. The glossy, ivy-shaped leaves provide an attractive backdrop for clusters of showy flowers in pink, red, purple, or white that bloom continuously from spring through fall.
More heat-tolerant than zonal geraniums, these beauties perform well even in warmer climates. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. Pinching stems occasionally encourages branching for fuller plants with more flower power.
18. Golden Creeping Jenny
Streams of bright golden coins seem to flow from this cheerful ground cover as it spreads through the garden. The round leaves form a striking contrast against darker foliage and hardscaping. In partially shaded spots, the color becomes a softer chartreuse that brightens dark corners.
Perfect for softening the edges of water features where it tolerates occasional wet feet. In containers, the trailing stems can cascade 2-3 feet over the sides. In cooler climates, the foliage often takes on bronze tints in fall, adding seasonal interest.