Ground cover plants are low-growing plants that spread out to form a dense mat, filling in empty spaces and preventing weeds. Unlike turf grass, most ground covers don’t require regular mowing or frequent watering once established, making them a low maintenance option for yards and gardens.
Ground covers come in a variety of forms – spreading perennials, succulents, grasses, vines and more. Many are evergreen, offering year-round greenery and erosion control. Others provide seasonal interest with attractive flowers, foliage or fall color.
When choosing the best ground cover plants, consider the light conditions, climate and soil in your landscape. Sun-loving ground covers thrive in full sun to partial shade, while shade-tolerant varieties grow in the shade cast by buildings, trees and shrubs. Some ground covers have versatility, adapting well to both sun and shade.
Here are 25 of the top low maintenance ground cover plants for sun and shade:
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a fast growing, mat-forming perennial that thrives in full sun to full shade exposures. The thick carpet of green leaves provides excellent erosion control. Ajuga produces blue flower spikes in spring. Ajugas spread aggressively, making them good choices for covering large areas. They grow 4-10 inches tall.
Popular ajuga species and cultivars:
- Ajuga reptans – Features bronze-purple leaves and blue flowers. Grows well in sun or shade.
- Ajuga genevensis – The upright blue flower spikes stand above green leaves. For partial shade.
- ‘Chocolate Chip’ – A sun-loving ajuga with chocolate brown foliage and blue flowers. Grows 4 inches tall.
- ‘Rainbow’ – The foliage shows off striking, multicolored hues of pink, cream, green and white. Large blue flower spikes. Grows 6-8 inches tall.
Armenian Ivy (Hedera colchica)
Also called Persian ivy, this vigorous, vining ivy grows well in full sun to full shade. It spreads quickly to cover ground, slopes and walls with its large, shiny green leaves. Can climb up to 40 feet. The fall foliage develops a bronze tint. Small greenish-yellow flowers in late summer. Armenian ivy is drought tolerant and deer resistant when established. Grows 6-10 inches tall as a ground cover.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearberry is an easy-care ground cover for full sun and light shade with attractive year-round greenery. It forms a spreading mat of glossy green leaves that turn bronze-red in fall and winter. Clusters of small, pink or white flowers bloom in late spring, followed by bright red berries. Grows 2-6 inches tall. Tolerates heat, humidity, salt and a wide range of soils. Avoid overwatering.
Bigroot Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum)
Sometimes called cranesbill geranium, this semi-evergreen perennial thrives in zones 4-8. Big root geranium spreads by underground rhizomes to form a weed-suppressing ground cover. The fragrant, lobed leaves emerge with a reddish tint in spring, later turning green. Clusters of pink, purple or white flowers bloom for an extended period in spring and early summer. Grows 12-18 inches tall. Does well in sun or shade.
Popular bigroot geranium varieties:
- ‘Bevan’s Variety’ – Pale pink blooms with light fragrance.
- ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’ – Long blooming with deep pink flowers.
- ‘Johnson’s Blue’ – Violet blue flowers. Foliage turns red in fall.
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
A low-growing member of the dogwood family, bunchberry performs well as a ground cover for partial shade to full shade. Native to eastern North America. Tiny white dogwood flowers centered with greenish-yellow bracts appear above the foliage in spring. The flowers give way to clusters of bright red berries, each containing one seed. The leaves turn red in fall. Grows 4-8 inches tall.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly weed thrives in poor to average soil and tolerates drought. One of the best perennial plants for pollinators. Clusters of bright orange flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds all summer. Its grass-like leaves remain green through fall. Grows 18-24 inches tall. Does well in full sun. Spreads slowly.
Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
Corsican mint is a creeping, aromatic mint ground cover for full sun or partial shade. Its tiny leaves have a minty fragrance when crushed. Lavender-colored flowers bloom in mid to late summer. Grows 1/2 to 1 inch tall while spreading several feet wide. Tolerates some foot traffic. Keep it contained in garden beds or it may overtake other plants. Water regularly.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Also called moneywort, creeping Jenny is a fast-growing ground cover for sun or shade. Its round, bright green leaves spread rapidly to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. Small, cup-shaped yellow flowers appear from late spring to mid summer. Grows 2-4 inches tall. Tolerates poor soil, drought and shallow ponds or boggy areas. Can be invasive.
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping juniper is a popular evergreen ground cover for full sun and dry soil. Many cultivars are available. The flat, spreading branches form a low mat over time. Foliage colors include shades of green, blue-green, yellow or silvery gray. Some varieties have reddish-purple foliage in winter. Grows 6-12 inches tall. Provides year-round color and controls erosion on slopes, rocky soils and other challenging areas.
Popular creeping juniper varieties:
- ‘Blue Rug’ – Silvery blue foliage. Grows 2-4 inches tall.
- ‘Blue Star’ – Steel blue foliage. Grows 4-6 inches tall.
- ‘Prince of Wales’ – Lush green foliage and fast growth habit.
- ‘Wiltonii’ – Blue-green foliage turns plum purple in winter. Grows 4-8 inches tall.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping phlox is a flowering ground cover for full sun and well-drained soil. In early spring, a carpet of moss phlox bursts into color with clusters of pink, purple, red or white flowers. The needle-like evergreen foliage takes on a reddish hue in fall and winter. Creeping phlox grows 3-6 inches tall, spreading 12-18 inches wide. Excellent for rock gardens, embankments, front of borders or underplanting spring bulbs.
Popular creeping phlox cultivars:
- ‘Crimson Beauty’ – Bright crimson red blooms.
- ‘Emerald Pink’ – Soft pink flowers.
- ‘Fort Hill’ – Lavender-pink blooms with small white eyes.
- ‘Red Wings’ – Deep carmine red flowers.
Dead Nettle (Lamium)
Lamium is valued as a shade loving ground cover. Also called dead nettle, its 3-6 inch tall clumping foliage remains attractive all season with colorful leaves of silver, green, gray, yellow or variegated patterns. Hooded flowers in pink, purple, white or yellow appear in spring or summer. Good choices include ‘Beacon Silver’, ‘Pink Pewter’ and ‘Purple Dragon’. Lamium spreads aggressively in ideal conditions. Cut back after flowering to control spread.
Euonymus Fortunei
The evergreen leaves of Euonymus fortunei varieties make them excellent ground cover plants for shade. They spread by stems growing along the ground. Most have green leaves while some feature variegated foliage. Euonymus can be invasive, so it’s best to contain it or prune regularly. Grows up to 18 inches tall. Some top varieties include:
- ‘Coloratus’ – Purple winter foliage.
- ‘Emerald Gaiety’ – Green leaves with white edges.
- ‘Emerald n Gold’ – Yellow and green variegated leaves.
- ‘Silver Queen’ – Silvery gray-green foliage.
False Spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia)
False spirea is a deciduous shrub that grows 2-4 feet tall. It makes a good ground cover option for part shade to full shade exposures. The fernlike foliage emerges with a pinkish cast before turning green. Plumes of tiny white flowers bloom early to mid summer. The foliage often turns red in fall. Spreads by underground stems to form colonies. Does best in zones 3-7. Avoid dry, alkaline soils.
Foamflower (Tiarella)
Foamflowers are shade loving, clumping perennials that spread by rhizomes. They perform well as ground covers under trees or shrubs and in rock gardens. In spring, they produce spikes of starry white or pink flowers above mounds of lush, green foliage. Excellent choices include ‘Running Tapestry’ and ‘Sugar and Spice’. Foamflowers grow 6-12 inches tall.
Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)
With its unusual, spherical steel blue flower heads, globe thistle provides impact and strong texture. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and needs minimal care once established. The prickly dark green foliage forms clumps 2-3 feet wide. Mounding perennial grows 2-4 feet tall. Butterflies visit the flowers in summer. Cut back by half after bloom to encourage reblooming. Drought tolerant.
Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
Golden creeping Jenny is a yellow-leafed cultivar of creeping Jenny, growing 2-4 inches tall in sun or shade. Its chartreuse foliage quickly forms an attractive ground cover. Yellow cup-shaped flowers appear from late spring into summer. Tolerates poor soil, drought, shallow water and foot traffic. Use containment to prevent aggressive spreading.
Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum)
An easy-care ground cover, green and gold thrives in part shade with average to dry soil. It forms an attractive mat of golden heart-shaped leaves with green edges. Bright yellow daisy-like flowers bloom for several weeks in spring and sporadically thereafter. Grows 6-12 inches tall. Spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding. Cut back after bloom to control spread. Also called goldenstar.
Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
Irish moss forms a dense, moss-like carpet of tiny green leaves on creeping stems. Small white flowers appear in summer. Grows 1-2 inches tall while spreading several feet wide. Tolerates light foot traffic. Irish moss performs well in zones 4-8, doing best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Good for filling in between pavers or stones. Cut back after bloom to control spread.
Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
A popular shade ground cover, Japanese spurge has an spreading habit, growing 6-12 inches tall. The evergreen foliage emerges with a reddish cast before turning deep green. In spring, white bottlebrush flowers appear amid the foliage. Does best in zones 4-8. Grows well under the dense shade of mature trees where turfgrass won’t survive. Can be invasive in ideal growing conditions.
Lilyturf (Liriope)
Lilyturf is an attractive, low maintenance, grass-like ground cover for sun or shade. Evergreen, straplike foliage forms clumping mounds that grow 12-18 inches tall and spread by underground runners. Spikes of lavender, purple or white flowers arise in late summer. Good resistance to drought, heat and pests. Avoid overwatering. Popular varieties include ‘Big Blue’, ‘Silver Dragon’, ‘Royal Purple’ and variegated ‘Silvery Sunproof’.
Mazus Reptans
This mat-forming perennial produces vibrant blue flowers in spring. Its small, bright green leaves remain evergreen in warmer climates. Mazus reptans grows just 2-4 inches tall while spreading up to 18 inches wide in zones 4-8. It tolerates light foot traffic and does well in sun or partial shade. Can sometimes act as a biennial or short-lived perennial, allowing it to be used as a quick cover that can be changed out annually.
Mint (Mentha)
Mint is a fragrant ground cover that spreads aggressively. It performs well in damp areas and tolerates some foot traffic. The vigorous growth helps exclude weeds. Small tubular flowers attract pollinators in summer. Mint grows 1-2 feet tall. Consider planting it in containers to prevent rampant spread. Requires regular water. Some top varieties for ground cover use include spearmint (Mentha spicata), ginger mint (Mentha gentilis) and pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens).
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Resembling miniature lilyturf, mondo grass has slender, grass-like leaves that form dense, spreading clumps 4-6 inches tall. Tiny lilac flowers give way to small black berries. Mondo grass tolerates considerable shade and grows well under trees and shrubs as a living mulch. It also does well in sun. The foliage turns yellowish in winter. Good choices include ‘Kyoto Dwarf’, ‘Nana’ and ‘Silver Mist’.
Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox is a colorful ground cover for full sun areas. Hundreds of tiny flowers blanket the foliage in early spring. Flower colors include pink, magenta, white, red, lavender and blue. Foliage colors range from green to reddish or bronze. Moss phlox grows just 3-6 inches tall while spreading 12-18 inches wide. Excellent for rocky areas, banks, and underplanting spring bulbs and roses. A top pick is ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’.
Pearlwort (Sagina subulata)
Pearlwort forms a lush, mossy carpet of tiny rounded leaves on creeping stems. Small white flowers appear in summer. Grows less than 1 inch tall while spreading several feet wide. Tolerates light foot traffic. Does best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Good for rock gardens, between stones or pavers and on green roofs. Shear after flowering to control spread. Also called Irish moss.
Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)
Periwinkle is a popular shade ground cover with shiny green foliage. It roots at the nodes as it spreads across the ground to form an attractive carpet. Showy blue or white flowers appear in spring. Does best in zones 4-9. Drought tolerant once established. Can be aggressive in ideal conditions. Avoid planting near wild or native areas where it could escape boundaries.
Pink Mazus (Mazus reptans ‘Alba’)
This white-flowered creeping perennial grows just 2-4 inches tall while spreading into a dense ground cover. The small green leaves remain evergreen in warmer climates. Bright white flowers with yellow spots bloom in spring. Grows well in sun or partial shade. Spreads vigorously but not invasively. Good choice for paths, between stepping stones or underplanting ornamental grasses.
Purple Dragon Lamium (Lamium maculatum ‘Purple Dragon’)
Lamium makes a good shade ground cover. The foliage of ‘Purple Dragon’ emerges with a silvery cast before turning green splashed with silver. Clusters of tubular fuchsia flowers bloom in late spring and early summer. Grows 6-10 inches tall. How far it spreads depends on growing conditions. Does best in zones 4-8. Cut back after blooming to control spread.
Snow-In-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Snow-in-summer is a low-growing perennial that forms a 6-12 inch tall mat covered in woolly silver-gray leaves. It blooms profusely in late spring and early summer, bearing masses of small white flowers. Does best in full sun and average to dry well-drained soil. Tolerates some foot traffic. Cut back after first flush of flowers for potential rebloom. Spreads rapidly in ideal conditions.
Speedwell (Veronica)
Speedwell is a deer resistant flowering ground cover for sun or partial shade. Plants form a short carpet of dark green leaves, bearing spikes of blue, purple or white flowers in spring and summer. Good choices include ‘Whitewater’, with bright blue blooms, and ‘Red Fox’, featuring rosy-purple flowers. Speedwell grows 3-6 inches tall. Shear back flowering stems after blooming to control spread.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet woodruff is a shade loving perennial ground cover, growing 6-12 inches tall. Clusters of tiny white star-shaped flowers bloom in spring, emanating a sweet vanilla fragrance when dried. The leaves form a mat with a fresh, grassy aroma when crushed. Does best in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Dies back to the ground in winter. Spreads by seeds and underground runners.
Thyme (Thymus)
Thyme is an aromatic, edible herb that doubles as a flowering ground cover in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, thyme requires little watering or care. The small leaves and woody stems form a tight mat only 2-4 inches tall. Colors range from gray-green to variegated. Clusters of tiny pink or purple flowers attract pollinators. Good walkable varieties include ‘Coccineus’ and ‘Pink Chintz’. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape.
Turquoise Cups (Oenothera macrocarpa)
Also called Ozark sundrops, this Missouri native has cup-shaped yellow flowers that bloom for months over low carpet of long, narrow green leaves. The lemon-scented blooms