8 Low-maintenance Ground Covers For Effortless Landscaping
You want a gorgeous yard without clocking in weekend after weekend? Same. Ground covers earn their keep by smothering weeds, cooling soil, and stitching your landscape together with zero drama.
Plant them once, give them a drink while they settle in, and then let them do their thing. Ready to retire the mower and still have a stand-out yard?
Why Ground Covers Are a Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend
Ground covers act like living mulch. They keep soil cool, conserve moisture, and block weeds so you spend less time on maintenance and more time sipping something cold.
They also quit the whole “mow me every Saturday” routine.
Plus, they fill tricky spots—slopes, awkward gaps, under trees—where lawn grass sulks. Think of them as the set-it-and-forget-it crew that actually delivers.
How to Choose the Right Ground Cover (Without Overthinking It)
Match the plant to your space, and you can’t go wrong. Consider sunlight, foot traffic, and how fast you want it to spread (read: how aggressive you’ll allow).
Also think about your climate and soil drainage.
- Sun vs. shade: Don’t throw a sun-lover under a maple and expect miracles.
- Traffic tolerance: Need to walk on it? Pick tough guys.
- Spread speed: Fast spreaders fill space quickly but can wander. Balance is key.
- Water needs: Drought-tolerant varieties = fewer reminders on your phone.
8 Low-Maintenance Ground Covers That Actually Stay Low-Maintenance
1) Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Why you’ll love it: It forms a fragrant, flower-dotted carpet that laughs at drought and foot traffic.
Pollinators load up on the blooms in early summer.
- Light: Full sun
- Foot traffic: High tolerance
- Water: Low once established
- Bonus: It releases a herby scent when you step on it—instant outdoor aromatherapy.
2) Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
Why you’ll love it: Tiny, lush leaves that pack a minty punch and fill gaps between pavers. It stays short and super cute.
- Light: Partial shade to sun (likes a bit of shelter)
- Foot traffic: Light to medium
- Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist in heat
- FYI: Not for dry, exposed hot spots. Treat it nice and it rewards you.
3) Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)
Why you’ll love it: It creates a soft mat sprinkled with tiny blue flowers.
It looks delicate but handles light foot traffic beautifully.
- Light: Sun to part shade
- Foot traffic: Light
- Water: Moderate; appreciates consistent moisture
- Note: Great for lawns you never wanted to mow in the first place.
4) Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Why you’ll love it: Lime-green or golden cascades that brighten shady corners and spill over edges like a chartreuse waterfall.
- Light: Part shade to sun (color pops in sun with enough water)
- Spread: Fast; can be assertive
- Water: Moderate; thrives in moist soil
- Pro tip: Use in containers or edging beds if you want boundaries. It follows orders… mostly.
5) Sedum “Angelina” (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
Why you’ll love it: Neon, spiky foliage that shrug-offs heat, drought, and poor soil. Winter adds coppery tones for all-season interest.
- Light: Full sun
- Foot traffic: Low
- Water: Low; thrives in dry spots
- IMO: The easiest splash of color you’ll ever plant.
6) Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Dwarf Mondo
Why you’ll love it: Tidy, grass-like clumps that handle shade and look polished year-round.
Dwarf mondo makes a perfect, tiny turf look.
- Light: Shade to part sun
- Foot traffic: Light
- Water: Low to moderate once established
- Best for: Under trees, along paths, between stepping stones.
7) Ajuga (Ajuga reptans, aka Bugleweed)
Why you’ll love it: Glossy leaves in shades of bronze, burgundy, or variegated green, plus spring flower spikes that bring the bees.
- Light: Part shade to sun
- Spread: Moderate to fast via runners
- Water: Moderate; tolerates some drought once established
- Heads-up: Give it space to roam or edge beds—ajuga means business.
8) Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Why you’ll love it: Springtime turns into a pastel avalanche—pink, purple, white—then it settles into low, evergreen mats.
- Light: Full sun
- Foot traffic: Low
- Water: Low once established
- Perfect for: Rock gardens, slopes, front-of-border color.
Where They Shine: Matching Plants to Problem Spots
- Sunny, dry slopes: Sedum ‘Angelina’, creeping thyme, creeping phlox
- Shady under trees: Mondo grass (or dwarf mondo), ajuga, creeping jenny (with moisture)
- Between pavers: Creeping thyme, Corsican mint, blue star creeper
- Rain gardens or damp edges: Creeping jenny, ajuga
Soil and Prep (The Only Work You’ll Do)
Clear weeds first, or they’ll crash the party. Loosen soil 4–6 inches, add compost if it’s sad and compacted, and ensure good drainage unless your plant likes it wet. Water weekly until rooted, then ease off. That’s the whole deal.
Design Moves That Look Effortless (Because They Are)
Ground covers work best when you use them like paint.
Sweep them through beds, tuck them between stepping stones, and let them soften edges.
- One color, big impact: A broad swath of creeping thyme looks clean and intentional.
- Contrast textures: Pair spiky mondo with soft phlox. Your eyes will say thank you.
- Layer heights: Taller perennials in back, ground covers in front—no gaps, no weeds.
- Contain the explorers: Use edging or containers for faster spreaders like creeping jenny. FYI, wood or steel edging works great.
Easy-Care Routine (Spoiler: There Isn’t Much)
Once the plants settle, you mostly watch them do their thing.
Water during extreme droughts, and trim the edges if they start freelancing into paths. Fertilizer? Usually unnecessary—too much can make them floppy or invasive.
Seasonal Touch-Ups
- Spring: Shear thyme after bloom, tidy ajuga runners if needed.
- Summer: Spot-water newbies, pull the rare weed intruder.
- Fall: Divide mondo or ajuga clumps if they get crowded.
- Winter: Admire evergreen heroes like sedum ‘Angelina’ and creeping phlox foliage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these ground covers replace my entire lawn?
Some can, but set your expectations.
Creeping thyme works for sunny, low-traffic lawn alternatives. Dwarf mondo creates a tidy, lawn-like look in shade. If you need a kid-and-dog soccer field, mix hardscape with durable turf patches instead.
How fast will they fill in?
Most spread noticeably in one growing season.
Creeping jenny and ajuga can fill gaps fast, while dwarf mondo and creeping phlox take their time. Plant closer spacing (8–12 inches) if you want instant-ish gratification.
Do ground covers attract pests?
Not more than other plants, and often less. Good airflow and proper spacing keep problems minimal.
Avoid heavy mulch over them—let the plants be the mulch.
Can I walk on them?
Yes, but choose the right ones. Creeping thyme tolerates frequent steps; Corsican mint and blue star creeper handle light traffic. Sedum, phlox, and ajuga prefer admiring over stomping.
Will they become invasive?
“Vigorous” doesn’t equal “invasive,” but always check your local guidelines.
Creeping jenny and ajuga spread fast; edge them or use contained areas. IMO, if you maintain borders a couple times a year, you’ll be fine.
Do I need to fertilize ground covers?
Usually no. Most thrive in average soil.
Compost at planting gives them a great start, and that’s often enough for years.
Wrapping It Up
Ground covers deliver big style with tiny effort—exactly the vibe we’re going for. Pick a few that match your light, soil, and traffic, then let them knit your landscape together while you reclaim your weekends. Plant once, water a bit, trim occasionally, and boom: effortless curb appeal unlocked.
IMO, that’s the best gardening hack out there.
