Ground Covers
About Ground Covers
Low-growing plants that spread to cover soil, reduce weeds, and prevent erosion.
All Ground Covers Varieties
Ajuga
Easy
N/A - ornamental only
Barrenwort
Easy
N/A
Bugleweed
Easy
N/A
Creeping Jenny
Very easy
N/A (not edible)
Creeping Juniper
Easy
N/A - Not edible
Creeping Phlox
Easy
N/A - ornamental only
Creeping Thyme
90-95 days · Easy
Mild thyme flavor, less intense than culinary thyme
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Easy
N/A (ornamental foliage plant)
Hosta
Easy
N/A (ornamental foliage plant)
Irish Moss
Easy
N/A - Ornamental plant
Ivy (English Ivy)
Very easy
N/A (toxic if ingested)
Japanese Painted Fern
Easy to moderate
N/A - Ornamental fern
Japanese Spurge
Easy to moderate
N/A - Not edible
Lamb's Ear
Easy
N/A (not typically consumed)
Liriope (Lilyturf)
Very easy
N/A (ornamental grass-like plant)
Mondo Grass
Easy
N/A (ornamental grass-like plant)
Moss Phlox
Easy
N/A - Not edible
Pachysandra
Easy
N/A - ornamental only
Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'
Very easy
N/A - ornamental only
Spotted Deadnettle
Easy
N/A
Sweet Woodruff
60-75 days · Easy
Sweet vanilla-hay scent when dried, mild bitter taste fresh
Vinca Minor
Easy
N/A - ornamental only
Wild Strawberry
60-90 days · Easy
Intensely flavored tiny berries, much more flavorful than large strawberries
Wintercreeper Euonymus
Easy
N/A - Not edible, potentially toxic
Find the Best Ground Covers for Your Zone
Not sure which ground covers grow best in your area? Check our zone-specific growing guides for personalized planting calendars and variety recommendations.