Encouraging foliage to grow between hardscaping elements offers a unique aesthetic, softening the sharp lines of a patio or walkway. This technique creates a visually unified space and improves the surface stability of the pavers. Cultivating plants in these gaps transforms a rigid surface into a cohesive, partially permeable ground cover. This blends constructed elements with the natural environment, providing a verdant look that traditional concrete or stone surfaces lack.
Preparing the Paver Gaps
Proper substrate preparation is necessary for successful growth between pavers. First, thoroughly clear the joints of existing weeds, debris, and old paver sand. The goal is to create a clean, uniform channel for the new growing medium.
The gaps should be deep enough to support root establishment, requiring a minimum depth of 1 to 2 inches. This depth holds sufficient soil for plant growth, allowing roots space to anchor and access moisture. Fill the excavated gaps with a specialized soil mix, ideally combining high-quality topsoil and fine compost.
Mixing in compost provides the organic matter and nutrients necessary for healthy growth, which is often lacking beneath pavers. This amendment also improves drainage, preventing the material from becoming waterlogged. Proper preparation provides the foundational environment for the selected plant material to thrive.
Choosing the Right Plant Material
Selecting the appropriate material is important, as standard turfgrass often struggles in the narrow, shallow, and compacted environment between pavers. Focus on low-growing, durable, and drought-tolerant species adapted to limited soil volume. For a true grass look, Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Kyoto Super Dwarf’) is excellent. It offers a miniature, deep-green carpet that tolerates light foot traffic and dry conditions once established.
Alternatively, many prefer the resilience and low maintenance of non-grass alternatives which are often better suited for the harsh microclimate of a paved area. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum), especially varieties like Elfin or Woolly Thyme, is a favored choice due to its drought tolerance and ability to withstand moderate foot traffic while releasing a pleasant fragrance. For areas receiving less sun, plants like Irish Moss or Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) create a dense, mat-forming cover. These alternatives remain low to the ground and require less trimming than true grasses.
Sowing and Initial Care
Introducing the plant material requires precision to ensure maximum germination and establishment within the paver joints. If using seed, mix the fine seeds with a small amount of sand or fine soil before application. This aids in achieving a more even distribution. Gently scatter this mixture into the prepared gaps, ensuring the seeds make firm contact with the amended soil.
After sowing seed or planting plugs, lightly tamp the material down to secure it and eliminate air pockets. The initial watering regimen is the most important factor during establishment. Keep the top layer of soil consistently moist, but not saturated. This requires frequent, short watering sessions, such as 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times daily for the first two weeks, especially when warm.
Watering should ideally be done in the early morning and late afternoon to minimize evaporation. This helps maintain the surface moisture required for successful seed germination. Once the seedlings emerge, the watering frequency can be gradually reduced over the next few weeks. This encourages the developing roots to grow deeper into the soil for greater resilience. It is also beneficial to restrict all foot traffic on the newly seeded area until the plants are fully established.
Long-Term Care and Maintenance
Once the groundcover is fully established, the care routine shifts to sustained, long-term maintenance. Watering needs become less frequent but more substantial, requiring deeper soakings to encourage mature root systems to penetrate the substrate. Most established groundcovers, such as creeping thyme, are drought-tolerant and require minimal supplemental water unless extreme heat persists.
Managing the height of the material is an ongoing consideration, especially for true grasses, which may require periodic trimming to maintain a tidy appearance and prevent overgrowth onto the paver surface. Standard lawnmowers are impractical for this task, so string trimmers or heavy-duty utility shears are used to cut the foliage just above the paver level. Weeds will inevitably attempt to colonize the gaps, and these should be removed manually or with targeted spot treatments to avoid damaging the surrounding desired plants. Regular maintenance ensures the green joints remain a neat and attractive feature.