Ground cover plants are not only versatile but also super easy to care for. Although turfgrasses are the most common residential ground cover plants, some places just aren’t suitable for them. That’s where alternative ground cover plants come in handy!
They can be used to decorate the spaces between stepping stones, fill in shady spots (like between tree roots), or replace grass (especially on slopes and hills that are hard to mow).
Plus, not only does the low-growing foliage look nice, but ground cover plants have a lot of other benefits as well. They stop weeds from growing, control erosion, protect nearby plants from harsh winters, and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
In this article, as a master gardener, I’ve put together a list of the 30 best ground cover plants for your backyard, including colorful flowers, succulents, and evergreens.
These ground cover plants will improve the curb appeal of your home, no matter if you have a tiny garden or a sizable landscaped yard.
You’ll find key information such as sun conditions and zone requirements for each of them to help you quickly narrow down the options to find the ideal one for your garden.
So, read on to learn about the 30 best ground cover plants you should consider for your yard:
1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum
Common Name: Creeping Thyme
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil
Creeping Thyme is a low-growing, aromatic herb that forms a dense mat of small, fragrant leaves and delicate pink, lavender, or white flowers. This hardy plant is incredibly easy to maintain, requiring minimal watering and thriving in full sun. It is drought-tolerant, making it ideal for xeriscaping or areas with poor soil.
Not only does Creeping Thyme add a beautiful touch of color to your landscape, but it also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its dense growth prevents weed growth, making it an excellent option for weed control. This plant is a perfect choice for rock gardens, pathways, or between stepping stones.
2. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
Botanical Name: Delosperma Cooperi
Common Name: Ice Plant
Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy soil
The Ice Plant is a striking succulent ground cover with vivid pink, magenta, or purple daisy-like flowers that bloom profusely in spring and summer. Its fleshy leaves store water, making it a drought-resistant and low-maintenance option for sunny, dry areas.
Ice Plant is also excellent for erosion control on slopes due to its extensive root system. Additionally, this ground cover attracts beneficial insects and butterflies to your garden.
Its vibrant display and easy care make it an eye-catching addition to rock gardens, borders, and coastal landscapes.
3. Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
Botanical Name: Aurinia saxatilis
Common Name: Basket-of-Gold
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining, average to poor soil
Basket-of-Gold, also known as Gold Dust or Alyssum, is a dazzling ground cover with a mass of golden-yellow flowers that bloom in spring. Its evergreen, gray-green foliage maintains interest throughout the year.
This plant is highly adaptable and requires little care once established. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate some shade.
Basket-of-Gold is perfect for sunny slopes, rock gardens, or as a border plant, creating a bright and cheerful display. Its resilience and lovely appearance make it an excellent choice for novice gardeners.
4. Amethyst in Snow (Centaurea Montana ‘Amethyst in Snow’)
Botanical Name: Centaurea Montana ‘Amethyst in Snow’
Common Name: Amethyst in Snow
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile soil
Amethyst in Snow is a beautiful perennial ground cover that produces stunning, fringed, amethyst-colored flowers with contrasting white centers. The blooms emerge in late spring to early summer and continue through the season.
This plant thrives in well-drained soil and requires minimal maintenance. It’s drought-tolerant once established and attracts pollinators, making it beneficial for the overall health of your garden.
Amethyst in Snow works exceptionally well in borders, rock gardens, or cascading over walls, adding an enchanting touch to your landscape.
5. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Botanical Name: Phlox subulata
Common Name: Creeping Phlox
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil
Creeping Phlox is a popular ground cover known for its cascading masses of fragrant, star-shaped flowers in various shades of pink, lavender, white, or blue. It blooms in early spring, creating a spectacular carpet of color.
This hardy plant is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and once established, it’s drought-tolerant.
Creeping Phlox is an excellent choice for rock gardens, slopes, or as a border plant, providing a burst of color and attracting butterflies and bees to your garden.
6. Angelina Sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
Botanical Name: Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’
Common Name: Angelina Sedum
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky soil
Angelina Sedum is a low-growing, evergreen succulent ground cover with needle-like foliage that transitions from chartreuse to golden-yellow throughout the year. Its unique color and texture add interest to any landscape.
This hardy plant requires little water and is extremely low maintenance, making it a perfect choice for busy gardeners or dry, sunny areas. In late summer, it produces small yellow flowers that attract butterflies.
Angelina Sedum looks stunning in rock gardens, containers, or as a colorful border, and its ability to spread and cover bare areas makes it an excellent option for erosion control.
7. Nepeta (Nepeta x faassenii)
Botanical Name: Nepeta x faassenii
Common Name: Nepeta
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining, average soil
Nepeta, commonly known as Catmint, is a delightful ground cover with aromatic, gray-green foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It blooms from late spring to early fall, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.
Nepeta is easy to grow and low maintenance, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun or light shade. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
This plant is an excellent choice for borders, pathways, or as a filler in mixed perennial beds. Furthermore, the pleasant fragrance of Nepeta can help deter certain garden pests.
8. Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)
Botanical Name: Teucrium chamaedrys
Common Name: Wall Germander
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil
Wall Germander is a versatile and attractive ground cover with small, glossy, dark green leaves and spikes of pink or purple flowers in summer. This evergreen plant can handle sun or partial shade and is adaptable to various soil types.
Wall Germander is easy to maintain, requiring only occasional pruning to maintain its shape. It’s also deer-resistant and attracts butterflies and bees.
This plant works wonderfully in formal gardens, as edging along pathways, or as a low hedge. Its tidy appearance and ability to tolerate some foot traffic make it an excellent choice for areas with light to moderate use.
9. Creeping Juniper (Juniper horizontalis)
Botanical Name: Juniper horizontalis
Common Name: Creeping Juniper
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky soil
Creeping Juniper is a low-growing evergreen ground cover with soft, blue-green foliage that takes on a purplish hue in winter.
It is highly drought-tolerant and adapts well to various soil conditions. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for busy gardeners or xeriscapes.
Creeping Juniper is a great choice for erosion control on slopes and also provides year-round interest in rock gardens or along borders. Its spreading habit and ability to cover large areas make it a practical and visually appealing option for landscaping.
10. Rock Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
Botanical Name: Cotoneaster horizontalis
Common Name: Rock Cotoneaster
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky soil
Rock Cotoneaster is a striking ground cover with a distinctive herringbone pattern of branches and glossy green leaves that turn reddish-orange in the fall.
In spring, it produces clusters of white to pinkish flowers followed by red berries in the fall, adding ornamental interest throughout the year. This low-maintenance plant prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established.
Rock Cotoneaster works wonders in rock gardens, cascading over walls, or as a low hedge. It attracts birds with its berries and provides excellent cover for small wildlife, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.
Other Ground Cover Guides from Planet Natural: