Groundcover is any low-growing plant that spreads horizontally to form a dense layer over the soil. These plants typically stay under a foot tall, filling in bare patches where traditional lawn grass struggles or where you want something more interesting than mulch. Groundcovers serve both practical and aesthetic roles: they prevent erosion, suppress weeds, protect tree roots, and can replace turf grass entirely in the right conditions.
What Groundcovers Actually Do
The core job of a groundcover is to blanket exposed soil. Bare soil erodes in rain, dries out in sun, and invites weeds. A well-established groundcover solves all three problems at once. The dense root systems hold soil in place on slopes and banks, while the leafy canopy shades the ground beneath it, keeping moisture in and making it harder for weed seeds to germinate.
Groundcovers are especially useful in spots where mowing is impractical or where grass simply won’t grow: steep hillsides, deep shade under mature trees, areas with surface roots, and patches that stay consistently wet or dry. Planting groundcover around the base of trees also eliminates the risk of mower damage to trunks, which is a surprisingly common way homeowners accidentally kill young trees.
Once established, most groundcovers choke out competing weeds on their own. The catch is the establishment period. While the plants are filling in during their first season or two, shade-tolerant weeds can move into the gaps. Hand-weeding or light mulching between plants during that window makes a big difference in how clean the bed looks long term.
Popular Varieties for Sun
If you have a sunny or partly sunny spot, several reliable groundcovers thrive in those conditions. Creeping thyme stays low and fragrant, tolerates heat well, and even handles light foot traffic. Stonecrops (the low-growing sedums) are succulent groundcovers that need very little water once they take hold, making them ideal for hot, dry areas with well-drained soil. Moss phlox produces a carpet of pink, purple, or white flowers in spring and performs best in full sun with good drainage.
Creeping juniper is a woody, evergreen option that spreads wide and stays green year-round, growing best in full sun. Candytuft reaches 6 to 12 inches tall and produces clusters of white flowers, while pinks (a type of dianthus) prefer moist but well-drained soil and full sun. All of these tolerate some neglect once they’re established, which is part of their appeal.
Options for Shade
Shady spots under trees and along north-facing walls are where groundcovers really earn their place, since turf grass rarely thrives in deep shade. Bugleweed and vinca (periwinkle) are two of the most versatile shade groundcovers, performing well in both shady and sunny sites. Hostas die back to the ground in winter, but their spreading root systems hold soil year-round and prevent erosion even when the leaves are gone. Daylilies work in partial shade to full sun and, once established, hold soil well on slopes, though they grow taller than most traditional groundcovers.
A few sun-tolerant species also handle partial shade, including creeping buttercup, leadwort, and blue star creeper. If your site gets dappled light through a tree canopy rather than solid darkness, you have more options than you might expect.
Groundcover as a Lawn Replacement
One of the fastest-growing uses for groundcover is replacing part or all of a traditional lawn. Certain varieties, sometimes called “steppable” plants, tolerate foot traffic and can fill the same role as grass without requiring mowing, heavy watering, or fertilizer. The more you walk on many of these plants, the tougher and denser they become.
For pathways and high-traffic areas, you need varieties rated for moderate to heavy foot traffic. Blue star creeper and creeping speedwell both handle regular stepping. For patio edges and courtyards where traffic is lighter, you can use a wider range of species planted between pavers or around the perimeter.
If you want the look of a moss lawn, Irish moss, Scotch moss, and low-growing sedums that mimic moss are the go-to choices. For fast coverage, golden creeping Jenny and blue star creeper are among the quickest spreaders. Replacing even a portion of your lawn with groundcover eliminates mowing in that area and cuts water use significantly.
Maintenance After Planting
Groundcovers are lower maintenance than turf grass, but they aren’t zero maintenance, especially in the first year or two. Newly planted groundcovers benefit from light fertilizer applications every four to six weeks during the growing season to encourage them to spread and fill gaps. Three to five applications between March and August is a common schedule for young plantings.
Once the plants are established and the ground is fully covered, you can dial back significantly. Lower fertilizer rates mean less new growth, which means less pruning, less watering, and less overall work. This is a deliberate tradeoff: if you push growth with heavy feeding, you’ll create more maintenance for yourself.
Pruning needs vary by species. Woody groundcovers like juniper should be thinned during the growing season to maintain shape, but you should avoid cutting them back to old wood because they won’t regenerate from bare stems. For most herbaceous groundcovers, occasional trimming to keep them within bounds is all that’s needed. If low maintenance is your priority, resist the urge to shear plants into formal shapes. Once you start shearing, you’ll need to do it repeatedly to keep the look consistent.
Invasive Species to Watch For
Some of the most commonly sold groundcovers are also some of the most invasive plants in North America. Three species deserve particular caution: periwinkle (Vinca minor), English ivy, and goutweed. All three spread aggressively, escape garden beds, and invade natural areas where they outcompete native plants.
English ivy is especially problematic. It climbs trees, smothers forest floors, and is extremely difficult to remove once established. Periwinkle forms dense mats in woodlands that prevent native wildflowers from growing. Goutweed spreads through underground runners and can take over an entire yard if left unchecked. Before planting any groundcover, check whether it’s listed as invasive in your state or region. Many native alternatives provide the same coverage without the ecological damage.