24 Attractive Plants to Grow on a Slope or Hill

By Kelly Miller

The best plants to grow on a slope are low-maintenance varieties that help to cover and stabilize the soil.

In this guide, we’ll review all you need to know about gardening or landscaping on a slope, including erosion management, planting methods, and plant selection. Plus we’ve got recommendations for some of the best plants for growing on slopes, including groundcovers, grasses, and low-growing shrubs.

Challenges of Growing Plants on Slopes

Slopes present several challenges for gardeners. The steeper the slope, the more difficult it is to manage. The main issues with growing plants on a slope include:

• Erosion removes topsoil and destabilizes roots.
• Water flows down the slope before fully nourishing root systems.
• Slanted ground results in uneven lighting and watering for neighboring plants.
• Soil, debris, and water accumulate at the bottom of the slope.
• Operating a mower along slopes can be dangerous, while gardening on slopes can be physically challenging or uncomfortable.

Tips for Planting on Slopes

There are two approaches for working with a garden slope: modify it, or accept it.

A minor slope on a small space can be leveled with a shovel and a rake. For steeper, broader slopes, it’s not always possible to level out the ground. Doing so may require significant earth-moving, or may create steep cliffs or trenches around the area’s perimeter.

The most common way to reduce erosion and make gardening easier on a slope is terracing. Terracing involves creating a series of flat surfaces and retaining walls, forming a sort of staircase. To learn all about this technique, we recommend these guides from the US Department of Agriculture and wikiHow.

If your plan is to work with the slope as it is, rather than rearrange the earth, then the keys are plant selection (discussed below) and planting methods.

If your process begins with removing weeds or turf grass, then it’s important to cover the soil as quickly as possible to avoid erosion. For immediate erosion control, cover the ground with coconut coir matting, or a similar product. Porous or netted materials protect the ground while allowing seedlings to sprout through. Meanwhile, you can cut holes as needed to make space for transplants.

To avoid topsoil loss, it’s crucial to minimize bare earth. Matting groundcover plants are an ideal long-term solution, but mulch is also helpful, especially around larger plantings. Choose fibrous mulches that are less likely to slide down the slope. The best mulches for slopes are grass clippings, leaf mold, and shredded bark.

What Type of Plant Is Good for Growing on a Slope?

The ideal plants to grow on a slope are hardy perennials with multiple stems and stable bases. Single-stalk plants are more likely to collapse when grown on uneven surfaces.

Standing and walking on a slope can contribute to erosion, and is also physically uncomfortable. Thus, it’s preferable to use plants that require minimal maintenance, including watering. On uneven ground, water may drain quickly from the soil, making slopes a bad match for thirsty plants. Plus, excessive watering could lead to soggy ground at the bottom of the bank.

It’s helpful to establish plants that cover the ground via matting, clumping, or dense bunches of stems. This broad coverage helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. To find plants that offer these benefits, focus on these three groups:

• Groundcover plants
• Grasses
• Short shrubs

Be sure to consider plants that are a good fit for your particular slope, considering these factors:

• Hardiness zone.
• Sunny slopes vs shady slopes.
• Dry soil vs wet soil.
• When selecting species, you may choose to emphasize the use of native plants. Natives are often shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and adapted to rough conditions. Just be sure to select species native to your region, not just the broader continent.

Perennial Plant Suggestions for Sunny Slopes

Groundcover plants grow low to the ground and form carpets or mounds of foliage that thoroughly cover the soil. Perennial groundcover plants are perfect plants to grow on a slope, as they prevent erosion, require minimal care, and don’t require replanting every year.

Since many groundcover plants spread aggressively, be sure to use native or non-invasive species. 

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed’s brilliant orange flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. Butterfly weed, also known as orange milkweed, is a native perennial plant that can be found growing in prairies, fields, and along roadways over a wide range of North America. The only Asclepias species to have clear sap and alternate leaves. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings or flower borders.

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.

Reflexed Stonecrop, Blue Stonecrop (Sedum reflexum)

Reflexed stonecrop is an evergreen, mat-forming sedum with narrow gray-green leaves and cheery yellow blooms in the summer. This is a mountain native, well-suited to growing amongst rocks and in gritty soils. Also known as Sedum rupestre.  Classic plants for rock gardens! Looks great filling in between rocks and spilling over container edges. Perfect selection for filling in between paving stones.

English Thyme, Common Thyme, Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

An evergreen herb, with dainty but flavorful leaves most popular in cooked dishes. Harvest thyme sprigs as needed and cut back to about 3″ (1cm) two or three times per season to encourage thicker growth. Easily dried for long-term storage. Commonly used for seasoning meats, fish, poultry, soups and vegetables. Plant near walkways, decks and patios where scent can be enjoyed.

Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

Bloody cranesbill is a bushy species of perennial geranium with deeply cut, almost ferny foliage. It produces an abundance of vibrant pink, saucer-like blooms over a long season in the summer. The foliage turns a rich, deep red in the fall. Excellent for borders, rock gardens, or mass plantings. A reliable groundcover for any location. Best planted in groups.

Ajuga, Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Ajuga is a quick-spreading, thick leaved groundcover suited to sunny or shady gardens. A multitude of varieties allows for the choice of green, purple or multi-hued foliage. All varieties have the added bonus of petite stalks of flowers early in the season. A reliable groundcover for any location. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Effective under trees where lawn has difficulty establishing.

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Perennial Plants for Shady Slopes

Bunchberry Dogwood, Canadian Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

Bunchberry is a beautiful, low-growing native plant that thrives in the cooler regions of North America. It spreads by rhizomes with a creeping habit that is ideal for use as a groundcover. In the spring, each bunchberry plant produces a ball (umbel) of tiny flowers surrounded by four white bracts. Blooms are followed by showy clusters of orange-red berries that the wildlife will enjoy. Foliage turns a deep burgundy-red in the fall.

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.

Golden Variegated Hakone Grass ‘Aureola’ (Hakonechloa macra)

Golden variegated Hakone grass forms a mound of narrow, brilliant yellow leaves with thin green stripes. The foliage turns an intense pinkish-red in autumn. Provides dramatic color and form for autumn and winter landscapes. The weeping foliage looks great cascading over the side of a container placed on the patio or accenting a doorway. A very carefree choice for mixed borders, edging pathways, or planted near water.

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.

Foamflower (Tiarella wherryi)

An impressive show of airy white flowers in spring and early summer. Continues blooming on and off the rest of summer until frost. Handsome maple-like foliage turns a beautiful red color in autumn. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Especially nice in waterside gardens. Best planted in groups.

Lamium, Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

Lamium is a vigorous, spreading plant that produces silver-marbled leaves with great texture. Short spikes of colorful, dainty blooms are an added bonus. A real standout in heavily shaded locations! A reliable groundcover for any location. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Effective under trees where lawn has difficulty establishing.

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Ornamental Grasses to Grow on Slopes

Standard turf grass is a challenge to maintain on a slope, since lawnmowers are difficult to operate on uneven ground. Turf grass also requires irrigation, which can lead to erosion and pooling.

An alternative to turf grass is to plant native or ornamental grasses. These typically don’t require regular mowing or watering, and they grow deep roots that help stabilize the soil. 

Depending on the species, grasses can be organized in tidy rows, or grow dense and free across an entire slope. To establish a naturalized meadow, plant native species, such as blue grama. For more of a formal landscaped look, use clumping ornamentals, such as blue oat grass.

Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis)

Prairie dropseed is one of the most popular North American native grasses for use in home landscapes. Clumps of narrow green foliage produce pale pink, fragrant seed heads in late summer. The foliage turns golden yellow in autumn and then to a creamy white in winter. Makes a dependable mixed border plant and a great filler among flowering plants.

Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)

Blue grama grass is a North American native grass that forms dense clumps of narrow green leaves. Brownish purple flower spikes appear in summer. This grass provides an important food source for many birds, animals, and butterfly larvae. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings. Provides dramatic color and form to autumn and winter landscapes.

Silky Wild Rye Grass (Elymus villosus)

Silky wild rye grass produces nodding, silky spikes over clumps of blue-green foliage in summer. Plant near evergreens or bright flowers to create great contrast. Choose the location with care; this is a very vigorous grower that needs some space. Provides dramatic color and form to autumn and winter landscape. Makes a beautiful specimen, border, or rock garden plant. Very effective planted in masses, and makes a good groundcover for a large area.

Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)

Blue oat grass produces a very tidy mound of shimmering, spiky blue-green foliage. The distinctive plant form is great for creating structure in the garden. Blue oat grass grows in just about any type of soil and once established is very drought tolerant. Excellent for contrast with bright-flowered plants or create a cool look by planting with purple, white or pastel flowers. Provides dramatic color and form to autumn and winter landscape. Makes a beautiful specimen, border, or rock garden plant. Very effective planted in masses, and makes a good groundcover for a large area.

Sweet Grass (Hierochloe odorata)

Sweet grass is native to both North America and Europe. The leaves emit a delightful vanilla scent. This grass was, and still is, important to Native Americans for a wide variety of applications, including basket weaving and burning as an incense. Give this grass plenty of room to grow, it spreads by underground rhizomes and is quite vigorous. Especially nice in waterside gardens. Interesting addition to fresh or dried floral arrangements. The leaves can be dried, made into braids and burned as incense.

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.

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Low Shrubs to Grow on Slopes

Shrubs have deep, broad root systems that help to stabilize soil. Ideal shrubs for slopes are low-growing varieties that won’t shade out neighboring plants or overwhelm their position on a terrace.

Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata)

Everything you love about a big leaf hydrangea but in a rounded, compact form that is perfect for small space gardens, patio planters, or grouped for a mass planting. Mountain hydrangea produces clusters of florets that range in color from blue to pink depending on the pH of the soil. Acid soil results in blue florets, more alkaline soil results in pink. This shrub is native to the moist, mountainous regions of Japan. Ideal for borders, hedges or as a specimen plant. Excellent for planting along fences and walls.

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)

Sweetspire is an incredible sight in the summer landscape; draped with long, narrow clusters of white flowers. Autumn brings a brilliant display too as the foliage turns rich shades of red. This is a very adaptable deciduous shrub that tolerates sun or shade, and just about any type of soil, even wet conditions along streams or ponds. A magnificent specimen, accent plant, or addition to shrub borders. Very effective along streams, ponds, or in woodland gardens.

Shrubby Cinquefoil, Golden-hardhack (Potentilla fruticosa)

Compact and finely branched shrubs; varieties of the Potentilla fruticosa species combine fine, dark green foliage with long-flowering blooms in a wide range of colors. A top choice for adding color to sites with dry, poor soil. Excellent for use in difficult spots where nothing else can survive. Wonderful for mixed borders and rock gardens. Beautiful grouped or massed in a shrub border or on a slope or hillside for erosion control.

Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

Creeping juniper is a tough, North American native that provides a finely textured mat of evergreen color throughout the year. Makes an excellent underplanting for solo specimens of other evergreens. Fairly adaptable to various soils as long as drainage is good. Lovely groundcover for slopes or drift throughout the mixed border. Useful in small gardens where season long interest is needed. Beautiful grouped or massed in a shrub border.

Common Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

The sempervirens boxwood species is the most common boxwood shrub and a classic choice for evergreen hedging, edging and topiary. Very long-lived, and well suited to pruning for size and shape, Boxwood are a plant investment with long term returns. A classic favorite for landscape focal points. Looks beautiful in the garden as a specimen or clipped hedge. Excellent for planting along fences and walls.

Perovskia, Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian sage is a bushy, perennial subshrub with a multitude of upright stems. Has a delicate yet definite presence with its fine, silvery leaves and dainty lavender colored blooms. A striking companion to broad-leaf plants or plants with golden foliage or flowers. Not a true herbal sage. Not a true herbal sage. Makes a dependable mixed border plant. Ideal for specimen, foundations, and mass plantings. Combines beautifully with small ornamental grasses.

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Native Plants for Slopes

One of the best ways to tackle a tricky slope is to embrace groundcover species that are native to your region. Native groundcovers are adapted to your area’s natural conditions and can thrive along hillsides with minimal watering or care.

To find recommendations for your part of the US, consult our Native Groundcover Plants guide, which includes lists of species recommendations organized by region.

Flowering Bulbs for Slopes and Hillsides

Flowering bulbs are a carefree addition to large scale plantings on hillsides. They add a welcome burst of color in the spring, return year after year, and grow very well planted among groundcovers. Planting bulbs takes some initial effort to get the bulbs in the ground, but once established require very little maintenance. For suggestions on flowering bulbs to grow on your hillside see our article, Spring Flowering Bulbs for Groundcover or Filler.