Ground covers are low-growing plants used to blanket bare soil, providing a dense, living layer across the landscape. Seeking the fastest-spreading varieties is motivated by practical functions, such as preventing soil erosion on slopes or suppressing weed growth across large areas. Quick coverage also offers an immediate aesthetic benefit, transforming barren spots into lush green spaces rapidly. This article identifies the most aggressive ground covers and details the specific environmental factors and management techniques needed to successfully establish and manage them.
The Fastest Spreading Ground Covers
The speed of a ground cover is largely determined by its growth habit, which typically involves producing horizontal stems that root easily as they spread. Certain species are quick because they use stolons, or runners, above ground or rhizomes beneath the soil surface to colonize new territory. This rapid rooting allows them to quickly form a thick mat that can fill in significant space, sometimes within a single growing season.
For areas that receive full sun, various sedums, such as Dragon’s Blood Sedum, offer exceptionally fast coverage, even thriving in poor, shallow soil conditions. These succulents are drought-tolerant once established, creating a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds while requiring minimal maintenance. Another aggressive sun-loving option is Ajuga (Bugleweed), which spreads rapidly via runners and is prized for its glossy foliage and spring flower spikes.
In shadier environments, Vinca minor (Periwinkle), is highly effective, rapidly spreading through long, trailing stems that root at the nodes. This evergreen plant is resilient and can tolerate deep shade, quickly filling in areas beneath trees where turfgrass often struggles. Similarly, Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is known for its vigorous, trailing growth and bright yellow-green foliage, making it a favorite for quickly covering moist, shaded, or partially shaded areas.
Creeping Liriope (Liriope spicata) is another plant known for its speed, spreading through rhizomatous roots to form grass-like foliage. This plant is frequently used for quick erosion control due to its spreading nature. However, the aggressive nature of these fastest-spreading plants means they can easily outcompete slower-growing neighbors or move beyond their designated boundaries.
Optimizing Soil and Light for Quick Establishment
Maximizing the speed of establishment requires careful preparation of the planting site. Before planting, all existing weeds and turfgrass must be completely removed, as competition for water and nutrients will significantly slow the ground cover’s initial growth. The soil should then be amended with organic matter, such as compost, which improves drainage, water retention, and nutrient availability.
Proper soil amendment supports the rapid development of a robust root system, which is the foundation for quick horizontal spread. Using plant plugs or small divisions, rather than seeds, provides a quicker start, as the plants already possess an established root structure. Ground covers planted too deeply can suffer from crown rot, while those planted too shallowly may struggle to establish adequate contact with the soil for proper rooting.
Consistent, deep watering is important during the first one to two growing seasons while the plants are actively establishing themselves. Even drought-tolerant varieties require this moisture to drive the intense growth needed to cover the area quickly. Furthermore, ensuring the plant’s light requirements are perfectly matched—placing sun-lovers like Sedum in full sun and shade-lovers like Vinca in low light—is essential for maximizing photosynthetic efficiency and the growth rate.
Controlling Aggressive Growth
The characteristics that make a ground cover fast-spreading necessitate management to prevent it from becoming problematic. Since aggressive spreaders like Vinca and Ajuga use runners or rhizomes to colonize new ground, physical containment is the most reliable method of control. Installing deep edging or a root barrier, such as plastic or metal edging sunk several inches into the ground, provides a clear boundary to prevent the plant from migrating into lawns or adjacent garden beds.
For plants that spread via underground rhizomes, like certain Liriope varieties, establishing a trench barrier can help sever the spreading roots and contain the plant’s spread. Routine maintenance through pruning is also necessary, particularly for trailing plants like Creeping Jenny. Cutting back the runners that extend beyond the desired area prevents them from rooting and establishing new plants. This regular trimming maintains the plant’s density within its designated space.
A long-term consideration when choosing fast-spreading varieties is their invasive potential in the local ecosystem. Many non-native, aggressive covers can outcompete native flora, reducing local biodiversity. If a ground cover becomes uncontrollable, methods such as solarization may be necessary. Solarization involves covering the area with clear plastic during the summer to heat the soil and kill the plant, though this can take months to be effective.