30 Best Ground Cover Plants (Low-Maintenance Options)

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: Juniper horizontalis

Common Name: Creeping Juniper

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.

11. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

Botanical Name: Cornus canadensis

Common Name: Bunchberry

Hardiness Zones: 2 to 6

Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Soil Type: Moist, acidic soil

Bunchberry, also known as Dwarf Dogwood, is a charming and unique ground cover native to North America. Its diminutive white flowers surrounded by showy bracts resemble a single flower, creating a captivating effect.

In late summer, the flowers give way to bright red berries that attract birds. Bunchberry thrives in cool, shady areas with moist, well-drained soil.

Although it prefers a woodland setting, it can also adapt to garden conditions. This low-maintenance plant adds a touch of elegance to shaded borders, woodland gardens, or under deciduous trees.

12. Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

Botanical Name: Lamium maculatum

Common Name: Spotted Deadnettle

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, moist soil

Spotted Deadnettle is an exceptional ground cover with variegated leaves and spikes of hooded flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. Its foliage has silver markings that brighten shaded areas. This vigorous plant is easy to grow, thriving in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Spotted Deadnettle requires little maintenance and is known for its ability to outcompete weeds. It adds a lush carpet of color to woodland gardens, under trees, or along shaded pathways, creating a vibrant and enchanting atmosphere.

13. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Botanical Name: Galium odoratum

Common Name: Sweet Woodruff

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Moist, well-draining soil

Sweet Woodruff is a fragrant and delicate ground cover with whorls of lance-shaped leaves and clusters of small, white star-like flowers in spring.

It spreads gently but not aggressively, making it easy to control in the garden. This shade-loving plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil and is highly adaptable to various conditions.

Sweet Woodruff is an excellent option for underplanting in woodland gardens, alongside streams, or as an edging plant. Its pleasant aroma makes it a favorite for dried flower arrangements and potpourri.

14. Liverleaf (Anemone americana)

Botanical Name: Anemone americana

Common Name: Liverleaf

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Moist, rich, well-draining soil

Liverleaf, also known as Round-lobed Hepatica, is a charming and early-blooming perennial ground cover. It features single, white, blue, or lavender flowers emerging in early spring, often before the leaves.

Its foliage is attractive and somewhat leathery, adding interest even when not in bloom. Liverleaf prefers woodland settings with moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade.

Once established, it requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent choice for naturalizing in woodland gardens or rockeries.

15. Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana)

Botanical Name: Osmunda claytoniana

Common Name: Interrupted Fern

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Moist, rich soil

Interrupted Fern is a captivating native fern that serves as a unique ground cover option. Its distinctive fronds feature a curious break or interruption in the middle, adding a touch of intrigue to any landscape.

This shade-loving fern is adaptable to various soil conditions and is relatively low maintenance once established. It creates a lush, verdant carpet in woodland gardens, moist areas, or along shady pathways, providing a delightful contrast to other ground covers and perennial plants.

16. Lenten Rose (Helleborus x hybridus)

Botanical Name: Helleborus x hybridus

Common Name: Lenten Rose

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile soil

Lenten Rose, also known as Hellebore, is a stunning perennial ground cover that brings early-season beauty to the garden. Its leathery, evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, while its cup-shaped flowers appear in late winter to early spring, often when there is still snow on the ground.

Lenten Rose comes in a wide range of colors, including shades of white, pink, purple, and green. This low-maintenance plant thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil. Once established, it’s relatively drought-tolerant.

Lenten Rose is perfect for woodland gardens, shady borders, or as a focal point in early-season displays, offering a splash of color when few other plants are in bloom.

17. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Botanical Name: Iberis sempervirens

Common Name: Candytuft

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, average soil

Candytuft is a delightful evergreen ground cover known for its profusion of fragrant, white or pink flowers that appear in spring. This compact, low-growing plant forms dense mounds of glossy green foliage and is easy to grow and maintain.

Candytuft prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It’s a great choice for rock gardens, borders, or edging along pathways. Its flowers attract butterflies and bees, adding a touch of life to your garden while requiring minimal care.

18. Common Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)

Botanical Name: Vinca Minor

Common Name: Common Periwinkle

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, moist soil

Common Periwinkle, also known as Vinca Minor or Creeping Myrtle, is a popular and vigorous ground cover with glossy, dark green leaves and charming violet-blue flowers that bloom in spring. Once established, it spreads quickly, making it an excellent option for large areas that need coverage.

Common Periwinkle is drought-tolerant and can handle partial shade, although it thrives in full sun. This hardy plant is perfect for stabilizing slopes, suppressing weeds, or underplanting in shrub beds, providing an enduring carpet of color and foliage.

19. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans

Common Name: Bugleweed

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, moist soil

Bugleweed is a versatile ground cover valued for its attractive foliage and spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers in spring. Its leaves come in various shades of green, bronze, or burgundy, creating a visually appealing carpet effect.

Bugleweed is easy to grow and low maintenance, thriving in partial to full shade and well-drained soil. It forms a dense mat that suppresses weeds, making it an excellent option for areas prone to weed growth.

Bugleweed is an ideal choice for rock gardens, borders, or as a filler plant in container gardens, adding texture and color to your landscape.

20. Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi)

Botanical Name: Physalis alkekengi

Common Name: Chinese Lantern

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, average soil

Chinese Lantern is an intriguing and unique ground cover that offers both ornamental and practical appeal. It features bright orange to red, papery husks that encase small fruit in late summer, resembling glowing lanterns.

Its interesting appearance makes it an excellent conversation piece in the garden. Chinese Lantern is low maintenance and grows best in well-drained soil and full sun.

This plant is perfect for adding a pop of color to rock gardens, borders, or mixed perennial beds, and its attractive fruit can be used in dried arrangements or left as a winter interest feature in the garden.

21. Hosta (Hosta spp.)

Botanical Name: Hosta spp.

Common Name: Hosta

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, rich soil

Hosta is a classic and popular ground cover known for its attractive, broad, and often variegated foliage. It comes in various sizes, shapes, and colors, offering endless options to suit your garden’s style.

Hostas prefer partial to full shade and well-drained, fertile soil. They are low-maintenance plants once established and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.

Hostas are perfect for shaded areas, under trees, or as edging plants, providing lush and vibrant foliage that adds elegance and interest to any landscape.

22. Creeping Liriope (Liriope spicata)

Botanical Name: Liriope spicata

Common Name: Creeping Liriope

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, average soil

Creeping Liriope, also known as Lilyturf, is a hardy and attractive ground cover valued for its grass-like foliage and spikes of purple or white flowers in late summer. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, and it can withstand varying conditions, including sun or shade and different soil types.

Once established, Creeping Liriope is low maintenance and drought-tolerant. It’s an excellent option for borders, edging, or as a ground cover under trees, creating a neat and tidy appearance in your garden.

23. Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

Botanical Name: Pachysandra terminalis

Common Name: Pachysandra

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, moist soil

Pachysandra is a popular evergreen ground cover widely used for its glossy, leathery leaves and ability to form a dense carpet of greenery. It grows well in shade or partial shade and thrives in well-drained soil.

Pachysandra is low maintenance once established and can tolerate occasional foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas with moderate use.

This plant is an excellent option for shady borders, woodland gardens, or under trees, providing a lush and attractive ground cover that enhances the beauty of your landscape.

24. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Botanical Name: Hedera helix

Common Name: English Ivy

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile soil

English Ivy is a versatile and fast-growing ground cover admired for its trailing habit and ability to climb walls and structures. Its evergreen, glossy leaves come in various shapes and colors, from dark green to variegated varieties. English Ivy thrives in shade or partial shade and well-drained soil.

While it requires regular pruning to keep it in check, it is relatively low maintenance and drought-tolerant once established. This plant is excellent for adding greenery to walls, fences, or shaded areas, and its ability to cover large surfaces makes it a great choice for creating a lush, living wall.

25. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina

Common Name: Lamb’s Ear

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, average soil

Lamb’s Ear is a distinctive ground cover cherished for its soft, fuzzy, silvery-gray leaves that resemble the ears of a lamb.

This drought-tolerant plant is easy to grow and adapts well to various soil types. Lamb’s Ear prefers full sun but can handle partial shade. It produces tall spikes of pink or purple flowers in late spring or early summer, attracting bees and butterflies.

Lamb’s Ear is a lovely addition to rock gardens, borders, or as a filler in mixed perennial beds, providing a touch of texture and interest to your garden.

26. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla)

Botanical Name: Alchemilla

Common Name: Lady’s Mantle

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Moist, well-draining soil

Lady’s Mantle is an enchanting and versatile ground cover that adds a touch of elegance to any garden. Its soft, velvety, scalloped leaves catch and hold raindrops, creating a sparkling effect in the sunlight. In late spring to early summer, Lady’s Mantle produces delicate sprays of chartreuse or yellow-green flowers.

This low-maintenance plant thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is perfect for borders, rock gardens, or as a ground cover under taller plants, providing a unique and graceful presence in your landscape.

27. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

Botanical Name: Liriope muscari

Common Name: Lilyturf

Hardiness Zones: 5 to 10

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile soil

Lilyturf, also known as Monkey Grass, is a resilient and attractive ground cover with grass-like foliage and spikes of purple or white flowers in late summer. Its evergreen leaves provide year-round interest, and once established, it requires minimal care.

Once established, Lilyturf requires minimal care and is highly adaptable to different growing conditions. It can thrive in both sun and shade, as well as varying soil types, making it an ideal choice for a variety of garden settings.

28. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Botanical Name: Lonicera (Various species)

Common Name: Honeysuckle

Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, but generally 3 to 9

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile soil

Honeysuckle is a versatile ground cover known for its twining vines and fragrant, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It comes in various species, some of which are deciduous, while others are evergreen, providing options for different climates and preferences.

Honeysuckle prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance, making it a convenient choice for various landscapes. Honeysuckle is ideal for covering fences, trellises, or walls, adding a touch of beauty and scent to your outdoor space.

29. Bishop’s Cap (Epimedium)

Botanical Name: Epimedium (Various species)

Common Name: Bishop’s Cap

Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, but generally 4 to 9

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade

Soil Type: Well-draining, rich soil

Bishop’s Cap, also known as Barrenwort or Fairy Wings, is an enchanting and resilient ground cover admired for its delicate, heart-shaped leaves and dainty flowers that resemble tiny bishop’s caps.

This charming perennial plant comes in various species, each offering unique foliage colors, ranging from green to bronze, red, or burgundy. In early spring, it produces graceful clusters of flowers in soft shades of white, pink, purple, or yellow, adding a touch of elegance to the garden. Bishop’s Cap thrives in partial to full shade and well-drained soil.

Once established, it requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or under trees, where it forms a beautiful carpet of foliage and flowers.

30. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia

Common Name: Creeping Jenny

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9 (USDA)

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Well-draining sandy, loamy, or clay

Creeping Jenny, also known as Moneywort or Lysimachia, is a delightful and vigorous ground cover appreciated for its trailing habit and bright, cheerful leaves.

Its rounded, golden-yellow foliage forms a dense mat, creating a stunning contrast to other plants in the garden. In summer, it produces small, yellow cup-shaped flowers, further enhancing its charm.

Creeping Jenny thrives in moist to wet soil and can tolerate both sun and partial shade. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for cascading over walls, spilling from containers, or filling in gaps between stepping stones. Its vibrant color and adaptability make it a popular choice for adding a touch of sunshine to any landscape.

Other Ground Cover Guides from Planet Natural:

Top Low-Maintenance Grass Alternatives for Your Backyard

10 Best Types of Grass for Your Lawn: A Full Guide