Not every gardener dreams of a high-maintenance landscape filled with needy plants and constant weeding. For many, the dream is simple: a lush, living carpet that stays beautiful without constant care. Enter the world of groundcovers—plants that spread low and wide, hugging the earth like nature’s own rug. And the best part? Some of them are so easy to grow, you’ll forget they’re even there (except when visitors can’t stop asking what they are).
From sun-drenched slopes to shady nooks, these ground-hugging champions fill in gaps, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cool—all while looking stunning. Whether you want a blooming blanket of color, a mossy green patchwork, or a textured cascade spilling over walls and paths, there’s a groundcover for that. And many of them don’t need mowing, trimming, or even much watering once they’re established.
This list of 15 low-maintenance groundcovers includes fast-spreaders, native picks, and unexpected beauties that will turn your bare soil into a soft, sculptural feature. No turfgrass tantrums. No weekend sacrifices. Just reliable, gorgeous groundcover that takes care of itself—more or less.
Creeping Thyme
Known for its aromatic foliage, creeping thyme adds more than just visual appeal to your garden. It releases a pleasant scent when stepped on, making every walk a delight. This hardy plant thrives in sunny locations and is drought-tolerant, reducing your watering worries.
Its low-growing nature helps suppress weeds, making it a practical choice for busy gardeners. The tiny purple flowers attract pollinators, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity. A resilient plant, it’s perfect for filling in gaps between stepping stones or covering bare ground.
Did you know? Creeping thyme has culinary uses too, adding flavor to your dishes.
Irish Moss
With its velvety texture, Irish moss creates a soft, emerald blanket wherever it grows. It thrives in partial shade and can handle foot traffic, making it ideal for pathways and rock gardens.
The tiny white flowers that appear in spring add a touch of elegance to its rich greenery. This plant prefers moist environments but is remarkably low-maintenance once established. It’s a great choice for those looking to add a touch of softness to their garden landscape.
A fascinating fact: Despite its name, Irish moss is not a true moss, but it certainly acts like one!
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny’s vibrant golden foliage adds a splash of color to any garden. It’s particularly striking when cascading over rocks or walls, providing a beautiful contrast to darker plants.
This plant is adaptable, flourishing in both sun and partial shade, and can handle wetter soils, making it versatile for different garden spots. Its rapid growth covers ground quickly, reducing the need for weeding.
Fun fact: Creeping Jenny gets its name from its fast-growing nature, as it quickly ‘creeps’ across the ground.
Sedum
Sedum, often found in rock gardens, is admired for its succulent leaves and starry blooms. This hardy perennial thrives in poor soil and drought conditions, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardening.
With varieties in green, red, and even blue hues, it offers visual interest throughout the seasons. The plant’s ability to retain water in its leaves helps it survive dry spells with ease.
An intriguing tidbit: Sedum is sometimes called “stonecrop” because it often grows on rocky surfaces.
Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper’s delicate blue flowers make it a charming addition to any garden. This plant creates a dense mat of foliage that thrives in both sunny and partially shaded areas.
Its resilience makes it perfect for filling spaces between stepping stones or as a soft carpet underfoot. It requires minimal care once established, only needing occasional trimming to maintain its neat appearance.
Did you know? Despite its name, Blue Star Creeper is not a true creeper but spreads horizontally like a carpet.
Ajuga
Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a versatile groundcover with glossy leaves and vibrant blue flower spikes. It’s perfect for shaded areas and can handle some sun, making it adaptable to various garden conditions.
The plant forms a dense mat, which helps suppress weeds effectively. Its flowers attract pollinators, adding life to your garden. Once established, it requires little care, making it ideal for those seeking low-maintenance options.
A quirky fact: Ajuga’s leaves can vary in color from dark green to deep purple, offering a unique visual appeal.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff’s whorled green leaves and starry white flowers bring a delicate charm to shady gardens. It’s perfect for creating a woodland feel, thriving under trees and in damp, shaded areas.
This plant spreads quickly, forming a dense cover that requires minimal upkeep once it’s settled. Its foliage emits a sweet scent, especially when dried, and is often used in potpourri.
Here’s a fun fact: Sweet woodruff was traditionally used in Europe to scent linens and flavor beverages.
Corsican Mint
Tiny yet mighty, Corsican mint covers the ground with its small, bright green leaves and emits a delightful minty fragrance. This plant loves shaded, moist areas, making it great for tucked-away garden corners.
It handles foot traffic moderately well, adding a sensory experience to pathways. Once established, Corsican mint requires minimal care, just regular watering to maintain its lushness.
Did you know? Corsican mint is one of the key flavoring ingredients in crème de menthe liqueur.
Mazus
Mazus is a low-growing plant that offers a splash of color with its small lavender flowers. It spreads quickly, forming a vibrant mat that brightens up any garden space.
This plant thrives in sunny spots and requires moist soil to flourish. It’s an excellent choice for filling in gaps or softening the edges of walkways.
A fun tidbit: Mazus is sometimes referred to as “creeping blue lips” due to the shape and color of its blooms.
Dichondra
Dichondra’s round, silvery leaves create a soft, shimmering carpet that stands out in any garden. It’s a great alternative to traditional grass, requiring less mowing and maintenance.
This plant thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas and is drought-tolerant once established. Dichondra’s lush appearance can transform a simple yard into an elegant landscape.
Did you know? Dichondra was once a popular choice for lawns before traditional grass took over the spotlight.
Bugleweed
With spikes of blue flowers and dense foliage, bugleweed is ideal for adding color to shaded areas. It’s known for its ability to suppress weeds, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens.
This plant adapts well to various soil conditions and requires minimal care once established. Its flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding wildlife interest to your garden.
A quirky fact: Bugleweed is part of the mint family, which explains its vigorous growth habit.
Vinca Minor
Vinca minor, also known as periwinkle, is a robust groundcover with evergreen leaves and charming blue flowers. It excels in shaded areas, making it perfect for under trees or along slopes.
Its trailing habit allows it to cover ground quickly, reducing the need for maintenance. The plant’s flowers bloom in spring, adding seasonal interest to your garden.
Did you know? Vinca minor is often used in traditional medicine for its various healing properties.
Japanese Spurge
Japanese spurge thrives in shaded areas, forming a dense, evergreen carpet with its glossy green leaves and small white flowers. It’s ideal for suppressing weeds under trees or in other low-light spots.
Once established, it requires little care, making it a favorite for gardeners seeking effortless beauty. This plant maintains its rich color all year, providing continuous visual interest.
A fun fact: Japanese spurge is often used in formal gardens for its neat, tidy appearance.
Liriope
Liriope’s grass-like foliage and spikes of purple flowers make it a popular choice for borders and edging. It thrives in sun to partial shade and withstands a variety of soil conditions.
This hardy plant is drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal upkeep. Its flowers bloom in late summer, adding a pop of color when many plants are fading.
Interesting tidbit: Liriope is sometimes called “monkey grass” due to its tufted appearance.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra’s glossy green leaves provide a rich, verdant cover that thrives in shady areas. It’s perfect for creating a seamless groundcover under trees or in other low-light spots.
This plant is slow-growing but forms a dense mat that suppresses weeds effectively. Once established, pachysandra requires little care, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardeners.
Did you know? Pachysandra is often used in Japanese gardens for its serene, calming appearance.