Controlling erosion in your yard starts with selecting the right plants. Some plants are better than others at holding soil in place with their root systems or groundcover. Choosing native plants adapted to your climate also helps ensure they will thrive and continue protecting your soil year after year. Here are 10 of the best plants for erosion control to consider for your yard.
Groundcovers
Groundcover plants spread low across the ground, shielding soil from rain and wind. Their roots also help hold soil in place. Some excellent groundcover choices include:
Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a popular native groundcover for erosion control. It forms a carpet of needle-like leaves, covered in pink, purple, blue, or white flowers in spring. Creeping phlox grows only 4-6 inches tall but spreads readily to cover bare soil. It thrives in full sun or light shade and tolerates drought well once established.
Ajuga
Ajuga species are commonly called bugleweed. Ajuga reptans is a fast-spreading groundcover with dark green leaves. It produces blue flower spikes in spring. Ajuga will spread aggressively to cover soil, controlling erosion. It does well in shade and can tolerate foot traffic. Other bugleweed species offer different leaf shapes or flower colors.
Sedum
Stonecrop sedum includes many low-growing succulent varieties that make excellent erosion control plants. Their thick succulent leaves and stems hold soil effectively. Sedums spread readily and do well in poor, rocky soil. They tolerate drought but need full sun. Popular choices include dragon’s blood stonecrop (Sedum spurium) and blue-green stonecrop (Sedum reflexum).
Grasses
Grass plants lock soil in place with dense, spreading root systems. These grass species are recommended:
Buffalograss
Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) is a warm-season native grass with curly green-gray blades that grow only 2-4 inches high. It forms a thick turf to cover soil and prevent erosion. Buffalograss needs full sun but tolerates heat and drought when established.
Blue Grama Grass
Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) has fine bluish-gray blades that grow 6-18 inches tall. It spreads by both rhizomes and seeds to form a tenacious erosion controlling turf. Blue grama thrives in full sun and needs little water or care once established.
Deergrass
Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is a western native bunchgrass excellent for holding slopes and preventing erosion. Its coarse gray-green blades grow 2-4 feet tall in clumps. Deergrass spreads slowly via rhizomes and tolerates many soil types and drought.
Vines
Vines can be planted on slopes or banks to cascade down and cover bare soil. Good vine choices include:
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a twining vine native to eastern North America. It has beautiful red tubular flowers attractive to hummingbirds. Trumpet honeysuckle roots as it spreads, controlling erosion. It thrives in full sun to part shade.
Virginia Creeper
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a fast-growing vine that climbs by holdfasts or spreads as a groundcover. Its five-pointed green leaves turn vivid red in fall. Virginia creeper grows vigorously to cover soil and prevent erosion. It adapts readily to various soil and light conditions.
Manzanita
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos species) includes many ornamental woody species prized for erosion control in southwestern states. Their twisting mahogany-red branches and stems help anchor slopes. Manzanita thrives in poor soil and needs little water once established.
Shrubs
Shrubs help control erosion with their woody root systems and spreading canopies that protect soil. Good choices include:
Juniper
Juniper (Juniperus species) shrubs grow vigorously to cover ground and control erosion. Their prickly leaves and spreading roots provide excellent slope stabilization. They tolerate most soils and need minimal watering. Common juniper (J. communis) and creeping juniper (J. horizontalis) are two adaptable groundcover species.
Sumac
Sumac (Rhus species) offers nice fall color. Staghorn sumac (R. typhina) and smooth sumac (R. glabra) sucker and spread, forming colonies that hold soil. Sumacs grow in most soils and readily re-sprout after cutting. They thrive in full sun.
Sagebrush
Sagebrush (Artemisia species) includes many woody shrubs ideal for erosion control in western states. Their silver-gray foliage stabilizes slopes. Sagebrush tolerates dry conditions, intense heat, wind, and poor soils once established. Varieties include big sagebrush (A. tridentata) and prairie sagewort (A. frigida).
Trees
Trees should be planted far enough apart not to shade out lower erosion controlling plants. Some top choices include:
Redbud
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small ornamental tree native to eastern and central North America. It has a shallow, spreading root system that helps hold soil on slopes. Redbud thrives in full sun to part shade and needs little care once established.
Willow
Willow (Salix species) trees and shrubs have aggressive root systems that stabilize stream banks and other erosion prone areas. They grow very quickly to provide soil anchoring foliage. Many willow species readily resprout even if damaged. They tolerate wet soil and drought.
Mesquite
Mesquite (Prosopis species) trees have deep taproots that reach groundwater, plus lateral roots that hold surface soil. Their spiny branches also help trap soil and sediment. Mesquite tolerates extreme heat, drought, and poor rocky soils. It grows well in the southwestern U.S.
Final Thoughts
Controlling erosion helps protect waterways and retains precious topsoil. The most effective approach is to landscape with erosion-fighting plants suited to your climate and soil conditions. Combining several plant types – groundcovers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees – provides multiple layers of soil-holding vegetation. With the right plant selections in place, you can keep your yard’s soil stable for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes erosion in my yard?
Erosion in yards is often caused by water runoff or wind removing bare topsoil. Steep slopes or banks are especially prone to erosion damage. Lack of protective plant groundcover also leaves soil vulnerable.
How do plants help control erosion?
Plants fight erosion in two key ways. Their roots bind and stabilize soil while their top growth shields soil from raindrop impact and wind. Plants also help absorb excess water. Dense vegetation prevents soil from washing or blowing away.
Should I mulch around erosion control plants?
Adding 2-3 inches of organic mulch around new plantings helps reduce erosion by protecting soil. Wood chips, shredded leaves, straw, or gravel are effective mulches. But don’t pile mulch against plant crowns.
How can I tell if a plant is an aggressive spreader?
In general, plants that spread via runners, rhizomes, suckers, self-seeding or layering tend to be aggressive at covering ground. While helpful for erosion control, fast spreaders may need occasional pruning to keep them in bounds.
Are native plants best for erosion control?
Native plants adapted to your local climate and soils are excellent choices since they are already acclimated and will thrive with minimal care. But some well-behaved non-native plants can also work well. Avoid invasive exotics.
Conclusion
Choosing the right erosion-fighting plants can make all the difference in keeping your yard’s soil intact. Look for plants suited to your specific conditions that spread readily to form groundcover. A mix of grasses, groundcovers, vines, shrubs and trees will provide multiple layers of soil-stabilizing vegetation. With the proper plants in place, you can successfully prevent erosion problems and protect your yard.