Fast Growing Ground Cover

If you have a bare patch of soil or a problem area, you need a fast growing ground cover. These quickly spreading low plants are the perfect solution for filling space, suppressing weeds, and adding beauty with minimal effort.

They create a living carpet that can solve many common garden headaches. Let’s look at how to choose and care for the best options for your yard.

This category includes perennials, vines, and shrubs that grow horizontally. Their main job is to cover the ground densely. A good one will spread by itself, through runners, rhizomes, or self-seeding.

Why Choose a Fast Spreading Ground Cover?

There are many practical reasons to use these plants. They are workhorses in the landscape.

Weed Suppression: A thick mat blocks sunlight, stopping weed seeds from sprouting.
Erosion Control: Roots hold soil in place on slopes or banks, preventing washaway during rain.
Low Maintenance: Once established, they need much less care than a lawn or annual beds.
Visual Appeal: They provide a uniform green backdrop or add seasonal flowers and color.
Soil Health: They protect soil from drying out and can add organic matter.

Top Picks for Sun and Partial Shade

Your light conditions are the first thing to consider. Here are reliable choices for different spots.

For Full Sun Areas

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): Aromatic herb, tough, drought-tolerant. Produces tiny pink or purple flowers. Perfect between stepping stones.
Sedum (Stonecrop): Many low-growing varieties like ‘Dragon’s Blood’. Succulent leaves, incredible drought resistance. Offers great fall color.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata): A spring superstar. It creates a breathtaking carpet of pink, white, or purple flowers in early spring.
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans): Spreads quickly via runners. Has colorful foliage in burgundy or bronze and spikes of blue flowers. Tolerates some foot traffic.

For Shade and Partial Shade

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): Loves deep shade. Delicate white spring flowers and fragrant foliage. Ideal under trees.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia): Chartreuse leaves that brighten dark corners. Can be aggressive, so use where it can’t escape.
Vinca Minor (Periwinkle): Classic shade cover with glossy leaves and pretty blue flowers. Very vigorous and reliable.
Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge): A top choice for deep shade. Forms a tidy, evergreen carpet about 6-10 inches tall.

How to Plant for Quick Success

Proper planting gives your ground cover a head start. Follow these steps for the best results.

Clear the Area: Remove all existing weeds and grass. This is the most critical step—competing weeds will slow establishment.
Amend the Soil: Work in some compost or aged manure to improve drainage and fertility. Most groundcovers dislike soggy soil.
Plan Your Spacing: Check the plant tag. For fast coverage, you can place plants a bit closer, but don’t overcrowd them.
Plant and Water: Dig holes, place plants at the same depth they were in the pot. Water thoroughly right after planting.
Mulch: Apply a thin layer of mulch between plants to retain moisture and further supress weeds until they fill in.

Essential Care Tips After Planting

Initial care is crucial. Your plants need support in their first year.

Watering Schedule

Water deeply and regularly for the first growing season. The goal is to encourage deep roots. Once established, many are drought-tolerant, but they’ll still need water during extended dry spells.

Controlling the Spread

Fast growers can sometimes become too enthusiastic. To keep them in bounds, you can edge around the planting area with a physical barrier sunk into the soil. Simply trim back runners that venture into lawn or flower beds with a spade or shears a few times a year.

Fertilizing Needs

Most groundcovers don’t need heavy feeding. A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient. To much fertilizer can cause weak, leggy growth.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even tough plants can have issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

Bare Patches: Can be from foot traffic, pet urine, or poor soil. Rake the area lightly, add some compost, and replant a few divisions from elsewhere in the patch.
Insect Pests: Aphids or scale might appear. A strong spray of water from the hose often dislodges them. For severe cases, use an insecticidal soap.
Fungal Diseases (like Powdery Mildew): Improve air circulation by thinning dense areas. Water at the base, not on the leaves, and do it in the morning.
Winter Die-Back: Some are evergreen, others are not. For deciduous types, simply clean up dead foliage in early spring before new growth emerges.

Using Ground Covers in Your Landscape Design

Think beyond just filling space. These plants are versatile design tools.

On Slopes: Replace hard-to-mow grass with a erosion-controlling cover like creeping juniper or ivy.
Under Trees: Where grass struggles, use shade-loving pachysandra or sweet woodruff for a polished look.
Between Steppers: Soften a path with creeping thyme, sedum, or moss. They release lovely scents when brushed against.
As a Lawn Alternative: For low-traffic areas, consider a blend of clover, thyme, and chamomile for a bee-friendly, no-mow carpet.

FAQ: Fast Spreading Ground Covers

What is the fastest spreading ground cover?

For sun, creeping jenny or crown vetch spread extremly quickly. For shade, vinca minor or ivy are notably fast. Remember, fastest often means most aggressive, so choose carefully.

What is a good low maintenance ground cover?

Sedum and creeping thyme are top picks for sunny, dry areas needing almost no care. For shade, pachysandra is very low maintenance once it fills in.

What ground cover chokes out weeds best?

Dense, evergreen types are best. Vinca minor, pachysandra, and dense sedum varieties form mats that leave little room for weeds to start.

Can I walk on fast growing ground cover?

Some can tolerate light foot traffic. Creeping thyme, sedum, and corsican mint are good choices for stepping stones or light use. Most others are best admired, not walked on regularly.

How do I stop ground cover from spreading too much?

Install edging barriers when you plant. Regularly trim the edges with a spade or lawn edger. Choose less aggressive varieties if you have a small, contained space to fill.

Choosing the right fast growing ground cover can save you countless hours of weeding and mowing. By matching the plant to your light and soil conditions, and giving it a good start, you’ll have a beautiful, living solution that gets better each year. Just be sure to manage its spread so it stays a help, not a headache, in your garden.