Ground cover plants not only add visual appeal to your yard but also serve practical purposes like preventing soil erosion and suppressing weeds. If you’re looking to transform your outdoor space quickly, opting for fast-growing ground cover plants is a smart choice. Here are eight varieties that will carpet your garden in lush greenery in no time.

1. Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme, with its fragrant foliage and delicate flowers, is an excellent choice for sunny areas. It spreads quickly, forming a dense mat that suppresses weeds and adds a pop of color to your landscape. This drought-tolerant plant requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for busy gardeners.

2. Sedum

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a versatile ground cover that thrives in various conditions, including poor soil and drought. Its succulent leaves store water, making it exceptionally resilient during dry spells. Sedum comes in a range of colors and textures, adding visual interest to rock gardens, slopes, and borders.

3. Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny, with its vibrant chartreuse foliage, brightens shady areas of the garden. This low-maintenance perennial spreads rapidly via trailing stems, creating a lush carpet along paths and around ponds. Its cascading habit makes it an attractive option for hanging baskets and containers as well.

4. Ajuga

Ajuga, or bugleweed, is prized for its striking foliage and spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers. This fast-spreading ground cover thrives in both sun and partial shade, making it adaptable to various garden conditions. Ajuga is ideal for filling in gaps between stepping stones or under trees where grass struggles to grow.

5. Vinca Minor

Vinca minor, commonly known as periwinkle, is valued for its glossy evergreen leaves and delicate blue flowers. This vigorous ground cover tolerates shade and dry soil, making it a reliable option for difficult areas. Vinca minor forms a dense carpet that suppresses weeds, making it perfect for woodland gardens and slopes.

6. Japanese Spurge

Japanese spurge, or Pachysandra, is a low-growing evergreen that thrives in shade and partial shade. Its glossy leaves provide year-round interest, while its white flowers add a touch of elegance in spring. Japanese spurge spreads slowly but steadily, forming a dense ground cover that’s resistant to deer and rabbits.

7. Ice Plant

Ice plant, with its fleshy, shimmering foliage and colorful flowers, creates a striking ground cover in sunny, dry areas. This drought-tolerant plant is well-suited for coastal gardens and rockeries, where it adds a splash of color while conserving water. Ice plant spreads quickly, forming a dense mat that thrives in poor soil.

8. Corsican Mint

Corsican mint, prized for its delightful fragrance and tiny, round leaves, is an excellent choice for filling gaps between stepping stones and in rock gardens. This creeping herb thrives in moist, shady conditions, forming a dense mat that releases its refreshing scent when crushed. Corsican mint is also well-suited for container gardening and indoor herb gardens.

Conclusion

Incorporating fast-growing ground cover plants into your landscape design is a surefire way to achieve quick, beautiful results. Whether you’re looking to fill in bare patches, suppress weeds, or add visual interest to your garden, these eight varieties offer a range of colors, textures, and growth habits to suit any outdoor space. With proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy a lush, vibrant garden year-round.