Looking to give your garden a fresh look without the constant upkeep? Ground cover plants might just be your new best friend. These low-growing beauties can fill in empty spaces, keep weeds at bay, and add texture without demanding much in return. Whether you’re going for lush and green or colorful and floral, there’s something for every vibe. Inspired by gardening enthusiasts like Marc Zboch, who champion easy and impactful landscaping, we’ve rounded up eight top picks that’ll help you create a stunning, low-maintenance garden.
1. Creeping Jenny
If you want a plant that spills beautifully over edges and fills gaps fast, Creeping Jenny is a perfect choice. Its bright, golden-green leaves add a pop of color, making it a standout in any garden.
Thrives in Sun or Partial Shade
Creeping Jenny grows best in full sun to partial shade, with its foliage turning a more vibrant yellow in sunnier spots. It’s a great option for covering bare soil, cascading over rocks, or softening the edges of garden beds.
Fast-Growing but Easy to Manage
This plant spreads quickly, which is great for filling in empty areas, but it can also take over if left unchecked. To keep it in control, trim it back occasionally or plant it in contained areas like between stepping stones or in hanging baskets.
Loves Moisture but can Handle Some Dryness
While Creeping Jenny prefers consistently moist soil, it’s surprisingly resilient and can tolerate short dry spells. Just be sure to water it regularly in hotter months to keep it looking lush and healthy.
Perfect for Ground Cover or Trailing Accents
This versatile plant isn’t just for covering the ground. It also looks stunning in containers, where its vines can spill over the sides for a soft, cascading effect. Whether planted in garden beds or pots, it adds a beautiful, effortless charm to any space.
2. Thyme
Looking for a ground cover that smells great, looks charming, and even works in the kitchen? Thyme is a fantastic option that blends beauty with practicality, making it a favorite among laid-back gardeners and foodies alike.
Tolerates Foot Traffic Like a Champ
Creeping varieties of thyme, like woolly or elfin thyme, are tough little plants that can handle being walked on. That makes them perfect for planting between stepping stones or along pathways where other plants might struggle.
Loves Full Sun and Well-Drained Soil
Thyme thrives in hot, sunny spots and doesn’t like soggy soil. Give it a sunny patch and some decent drainage, and it’ll reward you with dense mats of greenery and tiny, delicate flowers.
Adds Fragrance and Flavor
Brushing against thyme releases a lovely herbal scent, and some types are edible, too. Snip off a few sprigs for your kitchen, and you’ve got fresh seasoning right from your yard.
Low Watering Needs and No-Fuss Care
Once it’s established, thyme is super drought-tolerant and rarely needs fertilizing or fussing over. It’s one of those set-it-and-forget-it plants that still looks great all season long.
3. Blue Star Creeper
If you want a soft, floral carpet that can handle foot traffic and still look charming, Blue Star Creeper might be your new garden go-to. It’s a low-growing plant with tiny blue flowers that bloom for months, adding a sweet, whimsical touch to your space.
Great for High-Traffic Areas
Blue Star Creeper grows densely and stays super low to the ground, making it ideal for between pavers or garden paths. It’s surprisingly tough and bounces back well even after being stepped on regularly.
Loves Sun but Tolerates Some Shade
This little creeper thrives in full sun but can handle partial shade, which makes it super versatile. Whether you’re planting under a tree or along a sunny walkway, it adapts easily.
Blooms Almost All Season Long
One of its best features is the long blooming period: those little star-shaped flowers just keep coming. They give your garden a pop of color from spring well into fall with very little effort.
Moisture-Loving but Not Fussy
Blue Star Creeper prefers evenly moist soil, especially when it’s getting established. Once settled, it doesn’t demand constant attention and can handle short dry spells just fine.
4. Sweet Woodruff
If your garden has shady spots that need some love, Sweet Woodruff is a gentle and fragrant solution. This pretty ground cover brings soft green foliage and tiny white flowers that can brighten even the darkest corners.
Thrives in Shade and Woodland Settings
Sweet Woodruff is a shade lover, making it perfect for planting under trees or in spots where the sun barely peeks through. It creates a soft, meadow-like feel that gives shady areas a peaceful, natural charm.
Spreads Gently and Forms a Thick Mat
While it does spread, it’s not aggressive. It’s more like a friendly garden guest that politely fills in the gaps. It creates a dense carpet over time, which helps crowd out weeds and keeps the soil cool and moist.
Delightfully Fragrant When Crushed or Dried
One of Sweet Woodruff’s best surprises is its sweet, hay-like scent, especially when the leaves are dried. It’s often used in homemade potpourri or sachets, so your garden can smell as lovely as it looks.
Easygoing and Deer-Resistant
It doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. Just give it occasional water in dry spells, and it’ll take care of the rest. Bonus: deer usually steer clear, so it’s a good choice if you’ve got wildlife wandering through your yard.
5. Sedum
If you’ve got a sunny, dry spot that needs some life, Sedum is your low-maintenance, high-style hero. These succulent-like plants are not only tough, but they also bring gorgeous colors and interesting textures to the garden.
Handles Heat and Drought Like a Pro
Sedum thrives in full sun and doesn’t mind if you forget to water now and then. It’s built for tough conditions, which makes it perfect for rock gardens, dry slopes, or anywhere else grass just won’t grow.
Comes in a Variety of Shapes and Colors
From tiny ground-hugging types to trailing varieties that spill over walls, there’s a Sedum for just about every look. Colors range from vibrant green to dusty blue, burgundy, and even golden tones, making it a designer’s dream.
Blooms Add Extra Seasonal Interest
Many sedums bloom in late summer or fall, with small star-like flowers that attract bees and butterflies. These little bursts of color give your garden a seasonal lift without adding any extra work.
Basically Zero Maintenance Once Established
No need for frequent watering, fertilizing, or trimming: Sedum takes care of itself. Just plant it in well-draining soil, and you’re good to go.
6. Mondo Grass
For a sleek, grassy look that’s super low-maintenance, Mondo Grass is a solid choice. Its dark green, spiky leaves form dense tufts that create a clean, tidy ground cover for both sunny and shady areas.
Perfect for Shady Spots and Low Light
Mondo Grass is one of the few plants that thrives in deep shade, making it ideal for those tricky, under-tree or low-light garden spaces. It’s an excellent choice for filling in gaps where other grasses might struggle.
Grows Slowly but Forms a Dense Mat
While Mondo Grass is a slow grower, it eventually forms a neat, dense carpet that looks polished and uniform. Over time, it fills in areas beautifully, offering a smooth, grass-like appearance without much effort.
Minimal Care and Maintenance
Once established, Mondo Grass requires very little upkeep. It doesn’t need frequent watering and is resistant to pests, so you can let it grow without worrying about constant maintenance.
Adds Texture Without the Height
Unlike other grasses that can grow tall and need trimming, Mondo Grass stays low to the ground, making it a perfect filler plant in your garden. Its fine, spiky texture provides visual interest without overwhelming the space.
7. Ajuga
Ajuga is a vibrant, versatile ground cover that adds bold color and texture to your garden with minimal effort. Known for its striking foliage and lovely spring flowers, it’s a perfect choice for both sun and shade.
Beautiful Foliage with Striking Colors
Ajuga’s leaves come in a mix of purple, green, and bronze tones, which can really pop in your garden, even when it’s not flowering. The rich, colorful foliage creates a beautiful backdrop for other plants and stands out year-round.
Thrives in Both Sun and Shade
Whether you have a sunny border or a shady corner, Ajuga can handle it. It’s incredibly adaptable and thrives in a variety of light conditions, making it perfect for mixed gardens or areas that don’t get full sun.
Purple Flower Spikes Attract Pollinators
In spring, Ajuga sends up tall spikes of small purple flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These blooms are not only pretty, but they help support local wildlife, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Spreads Quickly but is Easy to Manage
Ajuga spreads fast and can cover ground quickly, filling in bare spots with its dense growth. While it’s fairly aggressive in spreading, it’s also easy to contain by trimming it back or planting it in a bordered area.
8. Irish Moss
If you’re looking for a soft, lush ground cover that thrives in cool climates, Irish Moss is an excellent option. This low-growing, dense mat of vibrant green adds a velvety touch to your garden while requiring minimal care.
Perfect for Cooler Climates and Moist Areas
Irish Moss loves cooler temperatures and is especially well-suited to areas with regular moisture. It thrives in conditions where other ground covers might dry out or struggle, making it ideal for those damp, shaded spots in your garden.
Forms a Thick, Cushion-Like Mat
With its small, rounded leaves, Irish Moss creates a dense, cushion-like carpet that feels soft underfoot. It’s perfect for filling in gaps between stepping stones or around garden edges, adding a beautiful, soft texture to your landscape.
Grows Well in Partial Shade and Full Sun
While Irish Moss prefers some shade, it can also handle full sun, provided it gets enough moisture. Its versatility makes it a great choice for a variety of garden settings, from shady woodland corners to sunnier paths.
Easy to Maintain with Occasional Watering
Once established, Irish Moss doesn’t need much attention. It’s low-maintenance, only requiring occasional watering during dry spells, and it naturally crowds out weeds, keeping your garden neat and tidy without much effort.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to fill in those hard-to-plant spaces or just want to simplify your garden maintenance, these ground covers are the perfect solution. With a little planning and the right choices, you’ll have a garden that’s not only beautiful but also low-maintenance and sustainable. So, grab your gardening gloves, pick your favorites from this list, and enjoy a vibrant, hassle-free garden all year round!