24 Ideal Fast-Growing Ground Cover Plants for Your Garden
Ground cover plants are nature's stunning carpet that transforms landscapes with their rapid spread and lush appearance.
These remarkable green companions effortlessly blanket garden spaces, creating vibrant and textured surfaces that capture the eye and imagination.
Gardeners and landscape enthusiasts appreciate these low-maintenance botanical wonders for their ability to quickly fill empty spaces and prevent soil erosion.
The diverse world of ground cover plants includes a spectacular range of colors, textures, and growth patterns that can suit almost any outdoor environment.
Their adaptability makes them perfect solutions for challenging garden areas like slopes, rocky terrains, and shaded regions where traditional grass might struggle to thrive.
Some ground covers bloom with delicate flowers, while others provide rich emerald or variegated foliage that adds visual interest throughout different seasons.
Selecting the right ground cover can dramatically enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of any outdoor space.
Bugleweed
Bugleweed creates a lush purple-flowered carpet that spreads quickly across garden spaces.
Its hardy nature allows growth in multiple light conditions from full sun to deep shade.
Delicate purple blooms emerge in spring, adding elegant color to ground areas.
Dense green foliage remains attractive throughout the year, providing consistent landscape coverage.
Spreading between 6 to 18 inches annually, Bugleweed fills empty garden spots with ease.
Landscape designers love its versatility and rapid growth potential.
Compact root systems help stabilize soil while preventing erosion in challenging garden environments.
Mexican Daisy
Mexican daisies bloom with charming white and pink flowers that spread rapidly across garden spaces.
Small delicate blossoms carpet rocky terrain or garden edges with minimal maintenance required.
Hardy Mexican Daisies tolerate drought and thrive in zones 6 to 9 with little intervention.
Their quick-spreading nature fills empty garden spots without overwhelming other plants.
Native to Mexico and parts of Central America, these ground covers establish themselves quickly and beautifully.
Compact green foliage provides continuous coverage throughout growing seasons.
Landscapers appreciate Mexican Daisies for their low-effort, high-impact garden solutions.
Sedum
Sedum are compact ground-hugging plants perfect for gardeners seeking low-maintenance landscape solutions.
Multiple color variations from green to burgundy make these stonecrop varieties visually striking.
Rock gardens and dry areas welcome their resilient nature without constant watering demands.
Thick succulent leaves spread quickly across terrain, creating dense protective ground coverage.
Hardy plants survive challenging environmental conditions with remarkable ease.
Zones 4-9 provide ideal growing environments for these versatile ground covers.
Minimal care requirements mean sedums thrive where other plants struggle.
Landscape designers appreciate their ability to fill empty spaces with elegant green textures.
Wedelia
Wedelia is a charming ground cover that spreads rapidly across landscapes with minimal effort.
Dense green foliage provides instant garden coverage while producing cheerful yellow flowers throughout seasons.
Sun or shade won't stop this hardy perennial from creating a lush green carpet.
Compact growth makes it perfect for filling empty spaces between larger plants or along walkways.
Its resilient characteristics help suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion.
Wedelia adapts easily to different soil conditions, making it an ideal solution for challenging garden areas.
Landscape designers love this plant for its simple beauty and robust performance.
Creeping Mazus
Creeping mazus spreads like a verdant green carpet that gardeners cherish for instant landscape coverage.
Low-growing perennials blanket ground areas with dense foliage and delicate purple-blue blossoms.
Mazus reptans flourishes in sunny spaces with minimal care requirements.
Small clusters of flowers peek through emerald leaves during spring and summer months.
Zones 5 through 8 provide ideal growing conditions for this resilient ground cover.
Compact plants reach just a few inches tall while expanding horizontally across garden beds.
Landscaping projects gain instant charm with these hardy, beautiful ground-hugging plants.
Asiatic Star Jasmine
Asiatic star jasmine sparkles as a ground cover champion spreading rapidly across landscapes with glossy emerald leaves.
Resilient plants thrive in USDA zones 7b to 10, adapting smoothly to different garden conditions.
Roots establish easily with consistent water and occasional trimming.
Landscapers appreciate its low-maintenance nature and ability to transform bland areas into verdant carpets.
Sunlight helps this jasmine variety grow dense and healthy without constant attention.
Compact growth patterns make it perfect for covering slopes or filling awkward garden spaces.
Versatile ground cover performs beautifully in multiple garden designs with elegant simplicity.
Rockcress
Rockcress are stunning low-maintenance ground cover plants that blanket rock gardens and slopes with dense colorful flowers.
Hardy perennials spread quickly across garden spaces, creating breathtaking purple, pink, and white floral carpets during spring blooming seasons.
Compact plants grow just 6-8 inches tall, making them perfect for covering awkward garden spaces.
These resilient plants flourish best in USDA Zones 6-8, tolerating sunny and partially shaded locations.
Drought-resistant attributes help rockcress survive in challenging environments where other plants struggle.
Landscapers appreciate how effectively rockcress fills garden gaps and prevents soil erosion.
Decorative ground cover plants establish quickly and provide immediate visual interest with their dense, colorful flowering displays.
Herbaceous Clematis
Versatile vine varieties spread effortlessly through garden spaces, connecting different landscape areas with lush greenery.
Compact growth patterns allow these plants to fill awkward garden gaps smoothly and efficiently.
Summer flowering brings delicate bell-shaped blossoms in soft purple, blue, and white hues that dance among green foliage.
Surprisingly low-maintenance, these plants thrive in both sunny and shaded garden locations without demanding constant attention.
Winter dormancy means they naturally retreat underground, preparing for spectacular spring regeneration.
Landscape designers love how herbaceous clematis weave visual interest through garden spaces with minimal intervention.
Bunchberry
Bunchberry spreads magical woodland carpet ground cover with delicate white flower clusters dancing above emerald leaves.
Native forest floors welcome these compact plants that grow happily in shaded areas.
Northern gardens embrace bunchberry's low-spreading habit and elegant texture.
Cool woodland environments provide perfect conditions for this charming plant.
Shade-loving landscapes gain stunning visual interest with bunchberry's gentle growth pattern.
Acidic soil environments help these plants thrive naturally.
Regions with moderate temperatures from zones 2-7 support bunchberry's remarkable adaptability.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff spreads lush green carpets across shaded garden spaces with remarkable speed and elegance.
Cool woodland environments welcome its gentle growth pattern and delicate leaf structure.
USDA zones 4 to 9 provide perfect conditions for this charming ground cover to thrive.
Woodland landscapes transform as sweet woodruff weaves between rocks and tree roots with graceful determination.
Fragrant leaves release a gentle vanilla-like scent when brushed against or crushed.
Landscapers appreciate its ability to prevent soil erosion and suppress unwanted weed growth.
Minimal maintenance ensures this ground cover remains a low-effort solution for challenging garden locations.
Creeping Wire Vine
Creeping wire vine bridges landscape challenges with elegant ground coverage.
Dense green tendrils spread rapidly across challenging terrain, stabilizing soil and preventing erosion.
Strong root networks help this plant thrive in zones 7-10, establishing quick ground protection.
Robust foliage creates a smooth, uniform surface perfect for slopes and difficult terrain.
Trimming helps control its enthusiastic growth and maintain desired shape.
Landscape designers value its ability to adapt to multiple environmental conditions.
Plant this vine for instant green coverage with minimal gardening effort.
Japanese Spurge
Japanese spurge emerges as a garden champion with unbeatable shade tolerance and adaptable growth patterns.
Lush green leaves spread quickly across garden floors, forming a dense protective mat.
Cool woodland areas become instantly transformed by its smooth carpet-like appearance.
Small delicate white blossoms peek through emerald leaves during springtime, adding subtle elegance.
Dark corners of gardens suddenly feel alive with its rich green coverage.
Minimal maintenance requirements make this ground cover a perfect solution for challenging landscape spaces.
Low-growing and persistent, Japanese Spurge conquers difficult terrain with quiet determination.
Irish Moss
Irish moss spreads quickly into a dense emerald carpet that gardeners treasure for rock gardens and pathway spaces.
Small white star-shaped flowers punctuate its rich green surface during spring and summer months.
Compact growth reaches only 2 inches tall, making this ground cover perfect for filling spaces between stepping stones.
Tolerant of partial shade and cool temperatures, Irish moss grows best in well-draining soil with moderate moisture.
Its delicate texture resembles fine green velvet that softens garden hardscapes with natural charm.
Resilient plants survive light foot traffic without damage, adding elegant ground coverage to landscape designs.
Minimal maintenance keeps these plants healthy and attractive throughout growing seasons.
Trailing Periwinkle
Trailing periwinkle spreads magic across garden landscapes with its lush green carpet and delicate lavender-blue blossoms.
Small glossy leaves create dense coverage quickly in shady garden areas.
Native to woodland regions, periwinkle thrives in zones 7 to 9 with minimal care requirements.
Springtime reveals clusters of soft blue flowers dancing above rich green foliage.
Growth happens rapidly, reaching 6-12 inches annually without much intervention.
Shaded garden spots benefit most from its spreading habit and resilient nature.
Landscapers appreciate periwinkle's ability to fill empty spaces while providing consistent visual appeal throughout different seasons.
Fern Moss
Fern moss spreads a lush green carpet across shaded garden spaces with delicate fronds that whisper woodland charm.
Silent performers, these tiny plants thrive under tree canopies and along dim pathways.
Compact and resilient, fern moss transforms bare ground into a verdant landscape without demanding constant attention.
Soil health improves as these small plants establish their gentle root systems.
Wildlife finds shelter among the intricate green layers, creating miniature ecosystems.
Minimal maintenance makes fern moss an excellent choice for gardeners seeking natural, low-effort beauty.
Landscaping becomes easier and more enchanting with this soft, green ground cover that blends seamlessly into shadowy garden corners.
Lantana
Lantana are colorful flowering plants perfect for gardeners seeking low-maintenance ground coverage in warm regions.
Small clustered blooms attract pollinators like butterflies and bees to your garden landscape.
Drought-resistant properties make these plants incredibly resilient during hot summer months.
Vibrant flower clusters range from yellow and orange to pink and purple, providing visual excitement across garden beds.
Heat tolerance means lantana survive where other plants struggle to grow.
Hardy perennials spread easily, creating natural green carpets with minimal effort.
Blue Plumbago
Blue plumbago brings stunning azure flowers that cascade across garden spaces with incredible beauty.
Mediterranean garden lovers appreciate this ground cover's remarkable spreading capabilities.
Soft blue clusters blanket garden areas with elegant charm throughout late summer and autumn.
Pollinators swarm around delicate petal arrangements, making this plant a garden favorite.
Zones 5 to 9 provide perfect growing conditions for this low-maintenance plant.
Landscape designers recommend blue plumbago for its impressive color and rapid growth patterns.
Compact root systems help this ground cover establish quickly in multiple garden environments.
Caraway Thyme
Caraway thyme spreads like a delicious green carpet across garden spaces with remarkable speed and resilience.
Robust plants thrive in USDA zones 4 to 9, adapting effortlessly to different landscape conditions.
Small purple flowers emerge during summer, adding subtle color to its rich foliage.
Kitchen lovers appreciate its aromatic leaves for seasoning various culinary creations.
Drought-tolerant characteristics help caraway thyme survive in challenging environments.
Landscapers appreciate its ability to fill empty garden spaces with lush, textured greenery.
Ground Elder
Ground elder spreads like wildfire across garden spaces with its lush green foliage.
Native to Europe, ground elder quickly colonizes shaded areas with minimal effort.
Its underground runners enable rapid expansion through garden beds and woodland edges.
Careful placement helps you manage its aggressive growth pattern effectively.
Strategic pruning prevents ground elder from overwhelming other delicate plants nearby.
Shade gardens benefit most from this resilient ground cover's dense, low-growing habit.
Experienced gardeners appreciate ground elder's ability to fill challenging landscape spaces with minimal maintenance.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping jenny spreads rapidly across garden spaces with brilliant lime-green foliage that shimmers like a living carpet.
Low maintenance requirements mean minimal effort yields maximum visual impact in landscape designs.
Dense leaves quickly cover bare ground, preventing weed growth and adding texture to garden beds.
Seasonal color shifts from vibrant green to golden yellow provide dynamic visual interest throughout the year.
Excellent drainage and partial shade conditions help this ground cover thrive effortlessly.
Strategic trimming prevents aggressive spreading while maintaining its attractive appearance.
Landscapers and home gardeners appreciate its resilient nature and decorative potential in diverse outdoor settings.
Lamium Flowers
Lamium flowers burst with delicate beauty in shaded garden spaces.
These low-growing perennials spread rapidly across woodland areas and garden beds.
Soft silver-streaked leaves complement delicate blooms in white, pink, and purple.
Shade-loving plants thrive under trees and along dark garden edges.
Compact growth patterns make Lamium perfect for rock gardens and border regions.
Resilient flowers bloom from spring through early summer, adding gentle color to darker landscape areas.
Minimal maintenance ensures these charming ground covers remain healthy and stunning throughout the growing season.
English Ivy
English ivy spreads rapidly across challenging garden spaces with remarkable resilience.
Dense green leaves cascade elegantly over walls, slopes, and shaded areas, creating a natural ground cover solution.
Versatile growth patterns help fill empty landscape spots quickly and efficiently.
Robust climbing characteristics allow ivy to transform bland outdoor surfaces into verdant green tapestries.
Hardy roots establish themselves firmly, preventing soil erosion on sloped terrain.
Minimal maintenance requirements make this plant perfect for busy homeowners seeking beautiful landscaping options.
Adaptable nature ensures successful growth across multiple USDA hardiness zones.
Wintercreeper
Wintercreeper spreads rapidly across landscapes, filling empty garden spaces with dense green coverage.
Its chameleon-like nature allows growth in full sun or deep shade without compromising visual appeal.
Climbing capabilities mean wintercreeper beautifully drapes walls, fences, and trellises with minimal gardener intervention.
Small leaves form tight carpets that block unwanted weed growth effectively.
Resilient plant characteristics help it survive in multiple soil conditions and climate zones.
Minimal maintenance requirements make wintercreeper perfect for busy gardeners seeking low-effort landscaping solutions.
Deep green color remains consistent throughout seasons, providing continuous visual interest.
Versatile ground cover transforms bland outdoor areas into lush, green environments with surprising ease.
Crown Vetch
Crown vetch spreads rapidly across landscapes with delicate pink and white flower clusters dancing among fern-like green foliage.
Seeds establish quickly in poor soil conditions where other plants struggle.
Zones 3-9 provide ideal environments for its robust development.
Root systems work hard to stabilize soil while creating beautiful natural carpets.
Drought tolerance makes crown vetch an excellent low-maintenance option for landscaping.
Pollinators love the small elegant blossoms throughout summer months.