Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread horizontally, creating a dense, living layer over the soil. They serve as a green alternative to traditional lawns or mulch, unifying different areas of a landscape. The primary attraction of these plants is their ability to significantly reduce the labor required for yard maintenance. A well-chosen ground cover minimizes or eliminates the need for mowing, frequent weeding, and constant watering.
Defining Low Maintenance Criteria
A ground cover earns the “low-maintenance” label by possessing specific biological traits that reduce the need for human intervention. The ability to endure dry periods is a defining characteristic, as the plant develops natural drought tolerance once established, requiring little supplemental watering. This trait is often linked to succulent foliage or deep, fibrous root systems that efficiently access and retain moisture.
Effective weed suppression is achieved through a dense, mat-forming growth habit that blocks sunlight, inhibiting weed seed germination. The ideal low-maintenance plant also exhibits strong resistance to common pests and diseases, avoiding the need for chemical treatments. Finally, a suitable ground cover should have a manageable growth rate, spreading consistently but not aggressively, which reduces the labor of frequent trimming or containment.
Top Recommendations by Light Conditions
Matching the plant to the light conditions of your space is the most important step for ensuring low-maintenance success. Plants thriving in their preferred environment are naturally more resilient and require less care. Ground covers are typically categorized by their tolerance for full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight daily) or various levels of shade.
Full Sun/Drought Tolerant Options
For areas receiving intense, direct sunlight, succulents and creeping herbs are the most reliable choices. Sedum, commonly known as stonecrop, is hardy due to its fleshy leaves that store water, making it highly drought-tolerant. Varieties like ‘Angelina’ sedum grow only a few inches high, offering chartreuse, needle-like foliage that brightens sunny, dry spots and is resistant to deer and rabbits.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) forms a dense, low-growing mat, typically staying under four inches tall, making it an excellent choice for planting between stepping stones or along paths. This aromatic herb thrives in full sun and poor, well-draining soil, releasing a pleasant scent when lightly walked upon. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is an evergreen shrub that forms a sprawling, dense cover, particularly effective on slopes for erosion control, offering year-round color.
Partial Sun/Moderate Moisture Options
Areas that receive a mix of sun and shade, often under deciduous trees, suit plants that prefer moderate moisture. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) is a semi-evergreen perennial that produces a dense carpet of needle-like leaves and colorful flowers in spring. It tolerates full sun but performs well in partial shade, requiring well-drained soil and minimal maintenance after establishment.
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen option that forms a tight mat of foliage, effectively suppressing weeds. Cultivars like ‘Chocolate Chip’ are low-growing, typically only a few inches high, providing a dark, rich color that contrasts well with the blue flower spikes produced in spring. Liriope (Liriope spicata), or creeping lilyturf, offers a grass-like texture and is adaptable to a variety of soils and light conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
Shade Tolerant Options
For deeply shaded areas where turf grass struggles, ground covers provide a dense, living mulch. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) is a widely used, low-growing evergreen that thrives in full shade and challenging conditions, such as dry soil under large trees. It forms a uniform, dark green carpet, spreading by rhizomes to cover bare ground, and requires little attention once established.
Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a vigorous, vining evergreen that tolerates a range of conditions, including dry shade. It produces glossy, dark green leaves and features blue or purple flowers in the spring, making it a reliable option for year-round coverage. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a shade-loving plant that forms a delicate, fragrant carpet of foliage with small white flowers, performing best in partial to full shade with soil that retains some moisture.
Preparing the Site and Installation Techniques
The initial effort in site preparation directly correlates to reduced long-term maintenance. The most important step is the complete removal of all existing weeds and turf grass before planting. Failure to do so results in a continuous battle against weeds competing with the new ground cover. Clearing the area of all debris and existing vegetation prevents the ground cover from having to fight for resources as it establishes.
After clearing, the soil should be loosened to a depth of six to eight inches to encourage root establishment. While many low-maintenance plants tolerate poor soil, mixing in a two-inch layer of organic material like compost can improve drainage and fertility, giving the plants a strong start. Proper spacing is crucial for minimizing maintenance, as it allows the plants to spread and close the gaps quickly, initiating effective weed suppression. Plants should be set out in a staggered, diamond-shaped pattern at the recommended spacing, ensuring the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Ongoing Management for Minimal Effort
Once the ground cover is planted, the goal shifts to establishing its independence to fulfill the low-maintenance promise. For the first growing season, consistent watering is necessary to help the roots take hold, but this should be deep and infrequent to train the roots to grow downward. After this initial establishment period, reduce supplemental watering significantly, allowing the plant’s natural drought tolerance to take over.
Weed control efforts should focus on spot treatment and hand-pulling any weeds that emerge before they can establish a strong root system or set seed. Applying a thin layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark, around newly planted plugs will help suppress weeds and retain moisture until the ground cover forms a dense mat. For more aggressive varieties, like Bugleweed or Periwinkle, using a string trimmer on a high setting after the main bloom period can selectively remove old flower spikes and encourage denser, more lateral growth without painstaking hand-pruning.