Choosing Groundcovers: Finding the Right Living Mulch for Your Garden

Groundcovers do much more than fill empty space. A good groundcover can suppress weeds, conserve moisture, reduce erosion, support pollinators, and protect soil much like traditional mulch.

Many gardeners think of groundcovers primarily as ornamental plants, but they can also function as a living mulch. Once established, they often reduce the need for annual mulch applications while helping keep soil covered year-round.

The challenge is choosing the right plant for your conditions. A groundcover that thrives in one region may struggle in another, and a plant that performs beautifully in dry sun may fail completely in shade or wet soil.

Start With Your Conditions

Before choosing a groundcover, consider the growing conditions in the area you want to cover.

Think about:

• Sun or shade
• Wet or dry soil
• Foot traffic
• Deer pressure
• Desired appearance
• Wildlife value
• Maintenance requirements

The best groundcover is usually one that naturally fits your site rather than one that requires constant watering, fertilizing, or pruning to survive.

Native or Non-Native?

Many gardeners start by looking at native plants, and for good reason. Native species evolved in local conditions and often provide valuable food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

However, non-native groundcovers can also be excellent garden plants when chosen carefully. Many are well-behaved, attractive, and widely adapted to garden conditions.

For most landscapes, there is no requirement to choose one category exclusively. Native and non-native plants can often work together successfully in the same garden.

A Word of Caution About Invasive Groundcovers

Groundcovers are selected because they spread. Unfortunately, some spread far beyond where gardeners intend.

Before planting any groundcover, check whether it is considered invasive in your state or region. A plant that behaves well in one climate may become highly aggressive in another.

Examples of groundcovers that are invasive or problematic in parts of the United States include English Ivy, Periwinkle (Vinca major and sometimes Vinca minor), Yellow Archangel, Bishop's Weed, Japanese Pachysandra, Wintercreeper, and certain non-native ornamental grasses.

Even some plants commonly sold in garden centers may be discouraged by local extension offices or conservation organizations.

When in doubt, consult your local extension office, native plant society, or reputable nursery before planting large areas.

Groundcovers for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Gardeners in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic have many excellent options.

Native choices include Wild Strawberry, Pennsylvania Sedge, Woodland Phlox, and Foamflower. These plants provide good ground coverage while supporting local wildlife and adapting well to regional conditions.

Popular non-native options include Creeping Thyme for sunny locations, Sweet Woodruff for shade, and certain low-growing sedums for dry areas. These plants generally remain well-behaved while providing attractive foliage and flowers.

Groundcovers for the Southeast

Heat, humidity, and seasonal rainfall patterns create unique challenges in the Southeast.

Native choices such as Green-and-Gold, Frogfruit, and regional sedges often perform well while supporting pollinators and beneficial insects.

Among non-native options, Asiatic jasmine is commonly used in warmer climates, although gardeners should verify its suitability for their specific region. Creeping thyme may also perform well in sunny locations with good drainage.

Because disease pressure can be higher in humid climates, selecting plants that tolerate heat and moisture is often more important than choosing the fastest spreader.

Groundcovers for the Midwest

Many Midwestern gardeners look to prairie ecosystems for inspiration.

Prairie Pussytoes, Wild Strawberry, and native sedges are excellent native choices. They tolerate a wide range of conditions and fit naturally into many Midwestern landscapes.

For non-native alternatives, creeping thyme and low-growing stonecrops (sedums) provide durable coverage in sunny locations and often require little maintenance once established.

Groundcovers for the West and Southwest

Water conservation is often a primary concern in western gardens.

Native options such as Creeping Oregon Grape, Kinnikinnick, and certain low-growing buckwheats provide attractive coverage while adapting to regional conditions.

Non-native sedums and ice plants are frequently used in dry climates because of their drought tolerance. However, gardeners should verify that specific varieties are appropriate for their area.

In many western landscapes, matching plants to natural rainfall patterns is far more important than attempting to force water-loving groundcovers to survive in dry conditions.

Groundcovers for the Pacific Coast

The Pacific Coast offers a wide variety of possibilities.

Native strawberries, Yerba Buena, and low-growing manzanitas are popular choices in many regions. These plants often provide excellent habitat value while covering soil effectively.

Gardeners also frequently use non-native creeping thyme, ornamental sedums, and other drought-tolerant groundcovers where conditions are appropriate.

Coastal gardens may require plants that tolerate wind, salt spray, and sandy soils in addition to providing soil coverage.

Groundcovers for Sun and Shade

Regional adaptation matters, but light conditions matter just as much.

Many flowering groundcovers perform best in full sun, where they produce dense growth and abundant blooms. Creeping thyme, sedums, and many native prairie plants fall into this category.

Shaded areas often require different choices. Pennsylvania Sedge, Foamflower, Sweet Woodruff, and Woodland Phlox are examples of plants that can thrive with less direct sunlight.

Before purchasing plants, observe the site throughout the day. A location that appears sunny in early spring may become heavily shaded once nearby trees leaf out.

Groundcovers and Water Use

One advantage of groundcovers is their ability to help conserve moisture.

By shading the soil and reducing evaporation, established groundcovers often help gardens retain water more effectively than bare soil. At the same time, living plants use water themselves, particularly during establishment.

Most groundcovers require regular watering during their first growing season while roots develop. Once established, many become surprisingly resilient.

A rain gauge can help you determine how much natural rainfall your garden is receiving and whether supplemental watering is actually needed.

Where to Find the Best Recommendations

National plant lists can provide ideas, but local recommendations are usually more valuable.

Native plant societies, extension offices, public gardens, conservation organizations, and knowledgeable nurseries can help identify plants that perform well in your specific area.

• Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States provides information about non-native plant species that invade natural areas 
• North American Native Plant Society is committed to preserving native plant habitat in wild areas and restoring indigenous flora to developed areas
• The Extension Foundation is a digital hub for a network of over 35,000 community-based educators and 112 land-grant universities across the country

You can also learn a great deal by observing nearby natural areas. Plants thriving in local woodlands, meadows, prairies, and open spaces often provide clues about what may succeed in your own landscape.

The Best Groundcover Is the One That Fits

There is no single best groundcover for every garden.

The most successful living mulches are those matched to local climate, soil, sunlight, and moisture conditions. When chosen carefully, groundcovers can reduce maintenance, improve soil health, support wildlife, and create a more resilient landscape.

Rather than asking which groundcover is best, ask which groundcover is best for your particular site. The answer will almost always lead to better results.