Every garden has those awkward, empty spots that feel unfinished or bare — but with the right filler plants, you can easily add depth, texture, and visual flow. These unsung heroes of the plant world help tie everything together, making your garden feel lush and complete.
In this article, we showcase 17 versatile filler plants that breathe life into sparse areas, whether you’re working with garden beds, borders, or containers. From soft foliage fillers to long-blooming companions, these plants add subtle beauty and structure without stealing the spotlight.
Fill in the gaps and give your garden the rich, layered look it deserves — the easy way!
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum offers a subtle yet striking presence with its tiny, fragrant flowers. It’s the ideal choice for edging pathways or filling gaps between larger plants.
This resilient plant thrives in various soil conditions, basking in full sun or partial shade. Its cascading nature makes it perfect for hanging baskets or borders.
Not only does it bring a touch of elegance, but its scent is reminiscent of warm honey. Known for attracting beneficial insects, Sweet Alyssum is a gardener’s ally in maintaining ecological balance.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a lively groundcover that spills over edges with its bright yellow-green leaves. It’s the perfect way to brighten any shaded area of your garden.
This plant is incredibly versatile, thriving in moist conditions and spreading quickly to fill spaces. Its coin-shaped leaves provide a unique texture that contrasts beautifully with more rigid plants.
A favorite for rock gardens and containers, Creeping Jenny brings vibrancy and movement. Plus, it offers a hint of gold, enhancing the visual appeal of any garden landscape.
Hosta
Hostas are the darlings of shade gardens, boasting a variety of leaf colors and textures. From deep blue-green to variegated white, they offer endless possibilities.
These plants are loved for their lush foliage and ability to thrive in varying light conditions. Their wide, heart-shaped leaves create a calming, serene atmosphere.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Hostas are low-maintenance, requiring minimal care. This makes them a reliable choice for both novice and experienced gardeners aiming to fill those tricky shady spots.
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear captivates with its silvery, velvety leaves that children and adults alike love to touch. Its tactile nature adds another dimension to garden spaces.
Ideal for borders and pathways, it creates a soft, inviting texture that contrasts beautifully with other plants. This hardy perennial withstands drought, making it a sustainable choice.
Its subtle blooms may be understated, but the foliage is a star. Lamb’s Ear not only brings visual interest but also serves as a conversation starter with its unique feel.
Ferns
Ferns are nature’s way of adding lush, feathery layers to any garden. Their intricate fronds create a sense of depth and movement.
Perfect for shaded areas, ferns come in an array of sizes and textures, each offering a distinct look and feel. They are excellent for creating a serene, forest-like ambiance.
Low-maintenance and adaptable, ferns thrive in moist conditions, making them an easy addition to any garden. Their timeless beauty ensures they remain a favorite choice for gardeners seeking to fill spaces elegantly.
Sedum
Sedum offers a splash of color with its succulent-like leaves and star-shaped flowers. Known for its resilience, it thrives in poor soil conditions and full sun.
This plant is perfect for rock gardens, borders, or containers, where its vibrant hues can truly shine. The diversity in leaf shapes and colors makes Sedum a versatile choice.
Easy to care for and drought-tolerant, Sedum is ideal for those looking to add beauty with minimal effort. Its cheerful presence can transform any space into a lively oasis.
Coral Bells
Coral Bells are celebrated for their stunning foliage, offering colors ranging from deep burgundy to lime green. They bring a splash of vibrancy to shaded or partially sunny areas.
Their delicate, bell-shaped flowers add a charming touch, attracting pollinators like hummingbirds. Coral Bells adapt well to different soil types, enhancing their appeal.
This perennial is a fantastic choice for borders or as an accent plant. Its ability to endure varying conditions makes it a reliable and decorative filler in any garden setting.
Bacopa
Bacopa dazzles with its trailing habit and small, colorful blooms. Ideal for hanging baskets or cascading over planters, it provides a touch of whimsy.
The tiny flowers bloom profusely, offering continuous color throughout the season. Bacopa thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for many garden setups.
Its gentle beauty and ease of care make Bacopa a favorite among gardeners. Whether used in containers or as ground cover, it adds a floral cascade that enhances any space.
Caladium
Caladium boasts heart-shaped leaves in vibrant hues, offering a bold statement in any garden. Its colorful foliage makes it a standout choice for shady spots.
The plant thrives in indirect sunlight, adding a burst of color where it’s often needed most. Caladium is perfect for containers, borders, or mass plantings.
Easy to care for, it requires well-drained soil and regular watering to flourish. Caladium’s dramatic leaves turn any garden area into a captivating display of color and texture.
Viola
Violas are the cheerful faces of the garden, offering vibrant colors and delicate blooms. Perfect for filling small spaces, they bring joy with their continuous flowering.
These hardy plants thrive in cool conditions, making them ideal for early spring or fall gardens. Their ability to self-seed ensures a lasting presence.
Whether planted in borders, containers, or as ground cover, Violas provide a charming touch. Their versatility and ease of care make them a beloved choice for gardeners seeking continuous color.
Dianthus
Dianthus, with its spicy fragrance and frilled petals, adds old-fashioned charm to any garden. Its vibrant blooms range from pink to red, catching the eye.
This perennial thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it perfect for borders or rock gardens. Its compact size allows for versatile use.
Dianthus not only provides visual interest but also attracts pollinators. Its sweet fragrance and colorful display ensure it remains a garden favorite, bringing a touch of nostalgia and beauty.
Ajuga
Ajuga, or Bugleweed, is known for its rich, jewel-toned foliage and striking blue flower spikes. Its mat-forming habit makes it an excellent ground cover.
Thriving in shade to partial sun, Ajuga is perfect for adding texture and color to underplantings. Its ability to grow in challenging areas makes it a practical choice.
The plant’s low-growing nature and resilience ensure it fills spaces effectively. Ajuga’s colorful foliage and blooms provide a year-round visual feast, enhancing any garden setting.
Liriope
Liriope, often called Lilyturf, is a versatile plant with grass-like leaves and striking flower spikes. An excellent border plant, it defines pathways beautifully.
The plant thrives in various conditions, from full sun to shade, and tolerates drought once established. Liriope’s adaptability makes it a garden staple.
Its purple flowers add a pop of color, while its evergreen foliage ensures year-round interest. Liriope is perfect for those looking to add structure and subtle beauty to their garden design.
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass offers a graceful, arching form that brings movement to shaded areas. Its golden-green leaves create a striking contrast with darker foliage.
Ideal for woodland gardens, this ornamental grass thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Its cascading habit softens edges and adds a touch of elegance.
The plant’s ability to withstand varying conditions makes it a reliable choice. Japanese Forest Grass is cherished for its beauty and texture, transforming any shady spot into a serene retreat.
Heuchera
Heuchera, also known as Coral Bells, is loved for its vibrant foliage. With a spectrum of colors, it adds depth and interest to any garden.
This hardy perennial thrives in partial shade, making it ideal for borders or container planting. Its bell-shaped blooms attract pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.
Heuchera’s adaptability to different soil types ensures it remains a garden favorite. Its stunning leaf colors provide a year-round visual impact, making it a versatile and attractive choice for gardeners.
Catmint
Catmint delights with its aromatic foliage and lavender-blue flowers. It’s perfect for attracting pollinators and adding a calming hue to sunny borders.
The plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soil, making it low-maintenance. Its sprawling habit is ideal for filling larger areas with color and scent.
Catmint’s resilience and charming blooms make it a beloved addition to any garden. It provides a tranquil, cottage-garden feel, ensuring it remains a favorite among garden enthusiasts.
Daylilies
Daylilies bring joy with their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Known for their hardiness, they flourish in sunny spots and adapt to various soil types.
The plant’s ability to bloom continuously throughout the summer provides lasting color. Daylilies are perfect for mass plantings or as accents in garden beds.
Their resilience and low-maintenance nature make them a popular choice for filling spaces. Daylilies’ vivid blooms create a cheerful, inviting atmosphere, enhancing the beauty of any garden setting.