Tired of constantly mowing your lawn and dealing with patchy grass? There’s a simple solution that not only saves you time but also enhances the beauty of your yard: fast-spreading ground covers.
These plants grow quickly and form a thick, lush carpet that covers large areas, reducing the need for constant maintenance. They’re ideal for places where traditional grass struggles to thrive, such as shady spots or areas with poor soil. Offering a variety of textures, colors, and even fragrances, ground covers can add a unique dimension to your garden.
Plus, they help prevent soil erosion, attract pollinators, and require minimal care. If you’re looking for an effortless way to transform your landscape, these 19 fast-growing ground covers are a game changer.
Creeping Thyme
Fragrant and colorful, creeping thyme offers a delightful alternative to grass. Tiny purple flowers bloom across the ground, creating a purple-hued carpet that attracts pollinators. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it’s both drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Ideal for rockeries and walkways, its aromatic leaves release a pleasant scent when stepped on, enhancing the sensory appeal of your garden. Consider this plant if you seek a hardy, evergreen cover that brings wildlife to your yard. With its fast growth, it quickly fills bare patches, making it a gardener’s favorite.
Irish Moss
Irish moss brings a soft, velvety texture to garden spaces. This lush, emerald-green ground cover thrives in shaded areas and moist conditions, making it perfect for cooler climates. Its tiny white flowers provide a subtle contrast, adding interest without overwhelming the senses. Use it between stepping stones or in Japanese-style gardens for a seamless, tranquil look. As it spreads effortlessly, it requires minimal upkeep, ideal for those with busy schedules. Its dense growth habit not only suppresses weeds but also reduces soil erosion, promoting healthier garden ecosystems.
Ajuga
Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a versatile ground cover with striking blue flowers and glossy foliage. Its quick-growing nature makes it perfect for filling shady spots. This plant is particularly effective under trees where grass struggles to grow. Resistant to deer and pests, ajuga requires minimal intervention, thriving in a variety of soil types. Its foliage color ranges from deep green to burgundy, adding year-round interest to your landscape. By choosing ajuga, you ensure a vibrant ground cover that enhances biodiversity and creates visual interest in less-accessible areas.
Sedum
Sedum, a succulent ground cover, stands out for its water-saving capabilities and vibrant hues. Perfect for drought-prone areas, it thrives in poor soil where other plants fail. Low-growing varieties spread quickly, forming dense mats of foliage in shades ranging from green to red. This diversity not only prevents monotony but also provides seasonal interest. Sedum is particularly suited for rock gardens and sunny slopes, where its resilience shines. Its ability to withstand harsh conditions makes it a go-to choice for eco-conscious gardeners. Enjoy seasonal blooms that attract pollinators and brighten the landscape.
Clover
Clover is a popular choice for those seeking a lawn alternative that benefits the environment. Known for its nitrogen-fixing ability, it enriches the soil as it grows. Its white and pink blossoms are not only beautiful but also attract bees and butterflies. Ideal for sunny or partially shaded areas, clover requires little watering once established. It stays green throughout the growing season, providing an even, soft carpet underfoot. As a bonus, clover naturally suppresses weeds, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Its resilience and eco-friendly nature make it an excellent choice for sustainable gardens.
Vinca Minor
Vinca minor, or periwinkle, is famed for its charming periwinkle flowers and robust growth habit. This evergreen ground cover thrives in shaded areas, making it ideal for underplanting in wooded gardens. Its dark green leaves form a dense mat, effectively suppressing weeds. Known for its low-maintenance nature, vinca minor requires minimal watering and trimming, perfect for busy gardeners. Whether used to cover slopes or border garden beds, it provides year-round visual interest. With its ability to thrive in tough conditions, this plant is both a practical and ornamental choice.
Lamium
Lamium, or dead nettle, brings a splash of color with its variegated foliage and vibrant flowers. Suitable for shaded gardens, its silver-spotted leaves brighten darker corners. Purple, pink, or white blooms emerge in spring, offering a delightful contrast. This plant is a fast grower, quickly covering ground with minimal effort. Ideal for borders and containers, lamium’s foliage remains attractive even when not in flower. It thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates dry conditions, making it a versatile addition to any garden. Its ability to suppress weeds further enhances its appeal.
Liriope
Liriope, often known as lilyturf, boasts grassy foliage and distinctive purple flower spikes. It thrives in a range of conditions, from sun to partial shade, making it a versatile choice for diverse garden settings. This hardy plant forms dense clumps, ideal for borders, walkways, and as an underplanting. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round color, while the flowers add seasonal interest. With minimal watering and maintenance needs, liriope is perfect for those seeking a low-effort ground cover. As it spreads steadily, it effectively fills gaps, providing a neat and tidy appearance.
Mazus
Mazus is a delightfully low-growing plant that loves moist conditions, making it suitable for areas near water features. Its bright green leaves form a soft mat, while tiny purple flowers sporadically dot the greenery. This plant works beautifully between stepping stones and paths, adding a touch of color without overtaking other elements. Its rapid spread requires little maintenance, aside from occasional trimming to keep it tidy. Mazus is perfect for gardeners looking to add a splash of color in damp areas while enjoying the ease of care that comes with this vibrant ground cover.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff, with its star-shaped white flowers and whorled leaves, brings a sweet aroma to shaded spaces. This plant flourishes in moist, shaded areas, making it ideal for woodland gardens. Its fragrant leaves have been used historically in potpourri and as a natural remedy. As it spreads swiftly, sweet woodruff creates a dense cover that suppresses weeds efficiently. The delicate flowers add a touch of elegance, while the aromatic foliage enhances sensory experiences in the garden. Minimal maintenance is required, allowing gardeners to enjoy its beauty and fragrance with ease.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra offers a glossy, evergreen solution for heavily shaded areas. Its small, white flowers add subtle charm in spring, complementing the lush foliage. Ideal for underplanting trees and shrubs, this plant thrives where others may struggle. Its dense growth habit effectively suppresses weeds, reducing the need for chemical herbicides. Pachysandra’s low-maintenance nature means it requires little care once established. It’s a favorite for creating a uniform, year-round green carpet that enhances the beauty of shaded spaces. Its adaptability to poor soil conditions makes it a reliable choice for challenging landscapes.
Heuchera
Heuchera, or coral bells, are known for their stunning foliage colors that range from deep burgundy to lime green. These perennials thrive in partial shade, lending vibrant color to garden borders and containers. Small white or pink flowers rise above the leaves, adding a delicate touch. Heuchera’s foliage remains attractive throughout the year, providing continuous interest. This plant’s adaptability to various soil conditions and its resistance to pests make it a practical choice. Incorporating heuchera into your garden ensures a dynamic, visually appealing landscape with minimal maintenance.
Lysimachia
Lysimachia, commonly known as creeping Jenny, is a vigorous ground cover with lime green foliage. Thriving in moist conditions, it’s ideal for areas near ponds and water features. Its trailing nature allows it to cascade gracefully over rocks and edges, creating a soft, flowing effect. This plant is valued for its bright foliage, which remains colorful throughout the growing season. Creeping Jenny’s quick spread provides excellent ground coverage, minimizing weed growth. Its adaptability to both sun and partial shade makes it versatile for various garden settings, offering aesthetic appeal with little effort.
Houttuynia
Houttuynia is a unique ground cover known for its variegated leaves in striking shades of red, cream, and green. This visually stunning plant thrives in moist, shaded environments, perfect for adding pizzazz to garden beds and borders. Its rapid spread creates a vibrant carpet that suppresses weeds effectively. While its foliage is the star, small white flowers appear in summer, adding further interest. Houttuynia’s ability to quickly adapt to different conditions makes it an appealing choice for gardeners seeking color and texture. Its distinct appearance ensures it stands out in any landscape.
Bugleweed
Bugleweed, often confused with ajuga, offers a bold splash of color with its dense spikes of blue flowers. This versatile, fast-spreading ground cover thrives in shady areas where other plants falter. Its deep green leaves provide year-round interest and effectively suppress weeds. Bugleweed’s adaptability to different soil types and conditions makes it a favored choice for difficult spots. Its flowers attract pollinators, enhancing the ecological value of your garden. With minimal care requirements, bugleweed effortlessly brings color and biodiversity to your outdoor space, making it a reliable, low-maintenance option.
Golden Star
Golden star, or Chrysogonum, dazzles with its bright yellow, star-shaped flowers that sit above lush, green foliage. This ground cover thrives in woodland settings and shaded areas, making it ideal for underplanting. Its vibrant blooms attract pollinators, adding life to your garden in early summer. With its low-growing habit, golden star effectively covers ground, suppressing weeds and reducing maintenance. This plant’s resilience to various soil conditions ensures it adapts well to different garden environments. Choosing golden star guarantees a burst of sunshine in shady corners with minimal effort required.
Dichondra
Dichondra is a ground-hugging plant known for its round, silver-green leaves that create a soft, textured carpet. Perfect for warm climates, it requires little water and thrives in full sun to partial shade. This ground cover is ideal for replacing traditional grass, offering a unique look with minimal maintenance. Dichondra spreads quickly, forming a dense mat that suppresses weeds. Its drought-resistant nature makes it a sustainable choice for eco-friendly gardens. Whether used in borders or as a lawn substitute, this plant provides a visually appealing, easy-care solution for modern landscapes.
Snow-in-Summer
Snow-in-Summer, aptly named for its blanket of white flowers, adds a cooling effect to gardens. Its silver foliage offers a striking contrast, making it a popular choice for sunny, dry areas. This plant thrives in poor soil, cascading beautifully over rocks and walls. Its fast-spreading nature ensures quick coverage, reducing the need for weeding. Snow-in-Summer’s drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements make it ideal for gardeners seeking effortless beauty. The mass of flowers in early summer draws attention and enlivens any landscape, making it a cherished addition to rock gardens and slopes.
Barrenwort
Barrenwort, or Epimedium, captivates with its heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers that nod gracefully. Flourishing in shaded areas, it’s perfect for planting beneath trees and shrubs. This plant’s foliage changes color throughout the year, offering seasonal interest and variety. Barrenwort’s ability to withstand dry conditions makes it a resilient ground cover option. Its dense growth habit suppresses weeds, while the flowers add a touch of elegance in spring. Minimal care is needed, making it ideal for those looking to enhance shaded spots with a touch of charm and sophistication.