Ground cover plants can transform a garden quickly and beautifully. They spread fast, filling in bare spots and creating a lush, green carpet. If you’re looking to enhance your yard with some of the best fast-growing ground cover plants, here are ten excellent choices that provide quick and stunning results.
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a delightful perennial that not only covers ground rapidly but also releases a pleasant fragrance when walked upon. Its aromatic leaves and small, colorful blooms in pink, purple, or white make it an attractive option for borders and pathways.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Watering: Moderate
- Growth: Spreads quickly, ideal for filling crevices
2. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a vigorous, low-growing perennial with bright green, heart-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers in the summer. It forms a dense mat-like cover, spreading rapidly and adding a splash of color to your yard.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
- Watering: Regular
- Growth: Quickly covers large areas
3. Irish Moss
Irish Moss (Sagina subulata) is an evergreen perennial with dense, moss-like foliage and tiny, star-shaped white flowers in spring. It’s perfect for planting around pavers or garden pathways, as it handles light foot traffic well.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
- Watering: Regular
- Growth: Forms a soft, dense carpet
4. Bugleweed
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a low-maintenance perennial with glossy, rounded leaves and spikes of small tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. It spreads quickly via creeping stems, making it a great choice for rapid ground coverage.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
- Watering: Moderate
- Growth: Spreads aggressively
5. Creeping Raspberry
Creeping Raspberry (Rubus calycinoides) is a vigorous grower with trailing stems, glossy dark green leaves, and small white to pink flowers that turn raspberry red in autumn. It forms a dense mat of foliage, perfect for covering large areas.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Watering: Regular
- Growth: Rapid spread, dense coverage
6. Blue Daze
Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus) is a fast-growing ground cover known for its beautiful blue flowers and small green leaves. It is often grown as an annual in zones 9 to 11 and adds a vibrant splash of color to any garden.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Watering: Regular
- Growth: Quick spread, ideal for warmer climates
7. Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) is one of the fastest-growing ground covers, with varieties that come in different colors and leaf shapes. This plant can quickly cover large areas, though it is worth noting that deer are quite fond of it.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Watering: Regular
- Growth: Very fast spread
8. Wedelia
Wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata) features small yellow flowers and spreads aggressively. It is ideal for confined urban areas but can be invasive, so it’s important to control its growth and check local regulations.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Watering: Moderate
- Growth: Rapid and aggressive
9. Asiatic Jasmine
Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) is an evergreen ground cover that creates a dense mat, often planted under large trees. It’s low maintenance and great for preventing weeds in shady areas.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to full shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Watering: Moderate
- Growth: Dense, weed-preventing coverage
10. Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) is a native perennial with a dense, mat-like forming habit. It offers multiple seasons of interest with clusters of dainty flowers, usually in shades of purple, that bloom from spring to the first frost.
Planting and Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Watering: Regular
- Growth: Spreads quickly, provides seasonal color