What Are Ground Covers?
Ground cover plants form dense mats that protect soil from erosion, suppress weeds, retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, and provide habitat for ground-dwelling beneficial insects. Living ground covers are a regenerative alternative to mulch, constantly growing and self-renewing while fixing nitrogen and building soil organic matter.
Benefits
- Suppresses weeds without herbicides or heavy mulching
- Prevents soil erosion on slopes and bare areas
- Reduces soil temperature extremes and retains moisture
- Many ground covers fix nitrogen or accumulate minerals
- Creates microhabitats for beneficial insects and soil life
- Some provide edible leaves, flowers, or tubers
Example Plants
White Clover
Trifolium repens
Low-growing nitrogen-fixing groundcover. Tolerates foot traffic. Flowers feed bees. Fixes 100+ lbs nitrogen/acre. Stays green in drought.
Creeping Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Aromatic herb groundcover. Tolerates light foot traffic. Purple flowers attract bees. Edible leaves. Drought tolerant. Evergreen in mild climates.
Strawberry
Fragaria spp.
Edible groundcover producing sweet berries. Spreads via runners. Tolerates shade. Evergreen foliage. Flowers attract pollinators.
Vetch
Vicia spp.
Nitrogen-fixing annual/perennial groundcover. Fixes 100-200 lbs N/acre. Excellent cover crop or living mulch. Flowers support pollinators.
Ajuga
Ajuga reptans
Shade-tolerant evergreen groundcover. Spreads quickly via runners. Blue flower spikes attract bees. Tolerates foot traffic. Low maintenance.
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Implementation Tips
Establish ground covers in spring or fall when moisture is reliable
Mulch heavily when planting until plants fill in
Use ground covers under fruit trees as living mulch
Choose plants appropriate for light levels (sun vs shade)
Combine nitrogen-fixers with non-legume groundcovers
Allow ground covers to flow between stepping stones in pathways
Cut back periodically if plants become too vigorous
Ready to Explore More?
Discover the other 13 functional plant categories and build your regenerative garden.