How to Grow Ground Cover Plants
Wikimedia Commons
Ground Cover Plants
Various species
ground coverGround cover plants are low-growing, spreading plants that blanket soil to prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and add visual interest to landscapes. They range from creeping herbs and mosses to low shrubs and flowering perennials. These versatile plants are essential for sustainable landscaping and can thrive in challenging areas where grass won't grow.
When should you plant Ground Cover Plants in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Ground Cover Plants timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Ground Cover Plants
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Ground Cover Plants
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ground Cover Plants dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Varies by species; most common ground covers thrive in zones 4-9, with options for colder and warmer regions
Sign up free to see if Ground Cover Plants grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Ground Cover Plants timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-12 weeksYoung plants are small and sparse, with limited coverage; root systems are developing
Water consistently to keep soil moist but not waterlogged; mulch around plants to suppress weeds; remove competing weeds manually; avoid foot traffic
Vegetative Spread
2-6 monthsPlants begin sending out runners, stolons, or lateral stems; coverage gradually expands across the planted area
Maintain moderate moisture; thin stems if growth becomes tangled or too dense; continue weeding between plants; begin fertilizing if slow to spread
Flowering
4-12 weeks (varies by species and season)Many ground covers produce flowers (some abundant, others sparse); blooms add color and attract pollinators
Deadhead spent flowers if desired to redirect energy to spread; allow some flowers to set seed for naturalization; enjoy wildlife activity
Mature Maintenance
Long-termEstablished ground cover creates a stable ecosystem; may require occasional rejuvenation pruning
Minimal input needed; occasional deep watering during droughts; light renewal pruning in early spring; monitor for pests or disease
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
and
Hand-pick, use copper barriers, encourage predators, beer traps, diatomaceous earth
-
Increase humidity, spray with water, insecticidal soap, neem oil
-
Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, beneficial insects
-
Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, fungicidal spray, sulfur dust
-
Improve drainage, reduce watering, remove affected plants, ensure proper spacing
Uses
Erosion Control & Slope Stabilization
HouseholdGround covers prevent soil erosion on slopes and embankments while their root systems stabilize soil and reduce runoff. This is particularly valuable on steep terrain where mowing is difficult or dangerous. [source]
Weed Suppression
HouseholdDense ground cover plants shade the soil and block sunlight, dramatically reducing weed germination and growth. This eliminates or greatly reduces the need for herbicides and manual weeding. [source]
Pollinator & Wildlife Habitat
WildlifeFlowering ground covers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Many also offer shelter for small animals, insects, and ground-nesting birds. [source]
Edible Ground Covers
CulinarySome ground cover species are edible, such as creeping thyme, wintercreeper, and nasturtium. These can provide both aesthetic appeal and culinary or medicinal ingredients. [source]
Low-Maintenance Landscaping & Aesthetic Appeal
CraftGround covers create attractive, textured landscapes with minimal ongoing care once established. They allow gardeners to replace water-hungry turf with beautiful, sustainable alternatives that reduce mowing, watering, and chemical inputs. [source]
Harvest Tips
Ground covers are not typically harvested for yield; instead, maintain by periodic trimming (spring or after flowering), removing dead growth, and clearing debris. Shear vigorously every 1-3 years to rejuvenate spreading varieties. Collect seeds from flowering types in late summer if desired for propagation.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Some ground covers like creeping phlox and moss can completely transform difficult areas—under trees, on rocky slopes, or in dense shade—where grass refuses to grow, solving longstanding landscaping challenges.
- 🌱 Established ground covers can reduce landscape water use by 50-70% compared to maintained lawns, making them an eco-friendly alternative in water-conscious regions.
- 🌱 Certain ground covers like clover and trefoil naturally fix nitrogen from the air, improving soil fertility and reducing or eliminating the need for fertilizer inputs.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Ground Cover Plants planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Ground Cover Plants seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Ground Cover Plants timeline →