Native Groundcover Plants

If you’re working toward a more natural, wildlife-friendly property, groundcover is a good area to focus on. Native groundcover plants can make a garden more drought-tolerant, lower-maintenance, and more intimately connected to the natural environment. Choosing native plants is also a great way to maintain the presence of certain species in the regional ecosystem.

We’ve compiled a few North American native groundcover plant recommendations specific to the North, Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest regions. Note: These plant recommendations are shade-tolerant species suitable for garden beds and small landscaping strips. They are not appropriate choices for replacing an entire turf grass lawn.

Uses and Benefits of Groundcover Plants

A groundcover plant is one that grows low to the ground and mostly or entirely covers a patch of earth. Groundcover is used as a living mulch in garden beds, along landscaping borders, or around tree roots. 

Many groundcover plants are creeping or mat-forming, growing horizontally over the ground and sending down new roots as they spread.

The uses and benefits of planting groundcover include:

• Weed suppression
• Stabilize slopes and prevent erosion
• Fill in shady areas
• Reduce water use
• Provide food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife

Many popular groundcover plants used in American landscaping are exotic species introduced from other parts of the world. Some plants, like hostas and creeping thyme, are harmless and offer some value to local ecosystems. Others, like ice plants and English ivy, can be harmful invasive plants. Fortunately, gardeners who prefer native plants have many widely available options to choose from, in every region of the country.

Native Groundcover Plants for Northern Regions

Ideal northern groundcover plants are shade-tolerant and cold-hardy. Many groundcover plants native to cool northern regions are associated with moist woodland environments, where they grow under tree canopy shade.

Here are a few excellent groundcover plants for northern zones:

Canada Anemone, Windflower (Anemone canadensis)

Canada anemone is an exceptionally attractive North American native plant that produces deeply lobed and toothed foliage, topped by cheerful white flowers in spring. A good choice for naturalizing in a moist woodland setting or along a stream or pond. Spreads quickly and makes a good groundcover under optimum conditions.

Wild Strawberry, Virginia Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

Wild strawberry is a charming native plant that can be found throughout much of North America. The low, spreading plants propagate by runners. Dainty white flowers appear in late spring followed by edible red berries with delicious, sweet flavor. A good choice for groundcover, window boxes, and containers. Grows naturally in meadows, glades, along roadsides, and woodland settings. Edible berries make a sweet snack or can be used in any recipe requiring strawberries.

Creeping Phlox, Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Spreading mats of fine textured, evergreen foliage earn Phlox subulata a multi-season supporting role in the garden. A profusion of tiny blooms boosts them to star status in spring & early summer. A quick shearing after blooming will assure lush mounds of foliage all season long. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Tumbles beautifully over rocks, slopes, and banks. Looks great spilling over container edges.

No results found.

Native Groundcover Plants for the Southeast

Landscapes in the Southeast are incredibly varied, ranging from coastal dunes to sweeping mountains and salty marshes. Much of the region, in its natural state, would be covered in prairies and savannas, full of tall native grasses.

If you have a larger property, you might consider participating in the grassland restoration movement. In a smaller home garden, consider these groundcover options:

Green and Gold, Goldstar (Chrysogonum virginianum)

Green and Gold, also known as Gold Star, is a native plant found mainly in shady woodland regions of the eastern and southeastern United States. This is a low-growing plant with lightly fuzzy leaves and stems and brilliant, star-shaped yellow flowers in the spring. The foliage forms a low, ground-hugging mat. A good native alternative to English ivy.

Common Violet, Woolly Violet (Viola sororia)

Common blue violets are one of the earliest flowers to bloom in the spring. Sometimes you can smell the flowers before you see them as their heavenly, sweet fragrance drifts in the air. This violet species is native to a large region of central and eastern North America. The heart-shaped foliage grows from a rhizome, and plants spreads mainly by seed since this species isn’t stoloniferous like some other Viola species. Early-season pollinators are attracted to the flowers. The seeds that follow will be a food source for birds and small animals later in the summer.

Lyre-Leaved Sage, Wild Sage (Salvia lyrata)

Unlike most of its Salvia relatives with dull, hairy foliage, the leaves of the lyrata species are glossy and a bit textured. Popular, named varieties have the added attraction a red to burgundy coloration to the leaves. All have upright spikes of dainty blooms. Wonderful for mixed borders and rock gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets. Plant in drifts or bands for best effect.

No results found.

Native Groundcover Plants for the Midwest

Huge swaths of the Midwest, from Texas up to Canada and between Indiana and Colorado, were once grassland. Today, conservation-minded landowners use native grasses like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) to restore Midwestern prairie land.

Small gardens can contribute to preserving Midwestern ecosystems, too. Low-maintenance native groundcover plants for gardens in the Midwest include:

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Wild ginger is a real standout in heavily shaded locations! Grown for its beautiful heart-shaped leaves. Purplish brown flowers appear in spring. Native to North America. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings. Combines well with Hosta in woodland gardens. Effective under trees where lawn has difficulty establishing.

Pussy Toes (Antennaria dioica)

Petite size and soft features are a charming disguise for this plant’s true nature. Antennaria is a very rugged plant capable of tolerating poor soil, dry conditions and cool, short summers. An ideal plant for dry locations that are difficult to maintain or anyone seeking to create a water-conservative garden. Perfectly sized for rock gardens, border fronts, and filling in between paving stones. Makes a good small scale groundcover. Flowers are great for drying.

Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pennsylvanica)

A fine texture and fountaining habit give this sedge a soft appearance. Makes a perfect underplanting for bolder perennials with its tough disposition and spreading habit. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Makes a good small scale groundcover. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings.

No results found.

Native Groundcover Plants for the Southwest

In the desert, groundcover plants offer welcome splashes of color along with food and shelter for critters. Here are a few drought-tolerant groundcover options for gardens in the southwest:

Southwestern Mock Vervain (Glandularia gooddingii)

Southwestern mock vervain is a lovely perennial plant native to southwestern regions of North America. The plants produce a soft mound of silvery-green foliage with clusters of lightly fragrant, lavender-purple flowers from spring into summer. This is a slow-spreader and a good selection for dry areas and sandy soils. Use on slopes, rock gardens, and sandy situations. Makes a good groundcover for drought-prone locations.

Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

Blackfoot daisy is a charming, yet durable, plant native to the plains and deserts of southwestern North America. Plants thrive in heat, drought, and poor soil and can be found growing in prairies, meadows, pastures, and along roadsides. The foliage forms a loose mound with small white and yellow, daisy-like flowers.

Trailing Indigo Bush (Dalea greggii)

This dense, low-growing subshrub spreads quickly to form a carpet of foliage that is tough, good-looking and care-free. Small purple flowers add a touch of color over a long season from spring into summer. Lovely groundcover, for slopes, or drift throughout the mixed border. Great for erosion control on steep banks and rough slopes. Looks great in rock gardens.

No results found.

Find More Native Plant Suggestions for Your Garden

Each region has its own beautiful abundance of native plant species. To discover more natives for your location, check out this native plant finder tool or get in touch with local community groups that advocate for wildlife-friendly gardening.  For a thorough introduction to native plant gardening, start here: Gardening with Native Plants – Growing Tips and 30 Perennial Native Plant Suggestions.