16 Durable Ground Cover Varieties You Can Actually Walk On

Using ground cover plants to fill cracks in your pavers, blanket your plant beds, and even as a no-mow grass alternative is a simple way to add beauty to your yard, as well as suppress weeds, aid soil fertility, and prevent erosion. But a yard is meant to be played in, strolled in, lived in. You want your yard to be functional, not just beautiful. Luckily, several ground cover plants have similar durability to grass, and some even offer flowers.

Of course, you still want to enhance your yard's appearance. You also need to consider your climate and the level of care you are willing to devote to your new plants. These ground covers vary in water, sunlight, and space needs, with a few requiring little to no maintenance at all. From the thick, sprawling vines of English ivy to the dainty white flowers of snow-in-summer, there are options for every style and backyard need. Try any of these 16 ground cover varieties for a gorgeous yard that you can actually walk on.

Creeping gold buttons (Cotula 'Tiffindell Gold') are a sturdy plant tolerant of light foot traffic. With evergreen foliage and little golden flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer, it's also a beautiful addition to any lawn. This ground cover is resistant to drought and deer. It thrives in full sun and only grows to about 4 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Creeping gold buttons grow as perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 10.

Thyme-leaf speedwell (Veronica oltensis) is a member of the plantain family. It grows just 1 inch tall, spreads up to 24 inches wide, and blooms with an abundance of tiny purple flowers. Plant thyme-leaf speedwell in full sun. It's drought-resistant, tolerates light foot traffic, and is a good option to fill the cracks between flagstone and pavers. In Zones 4 to 9, thyme-leaf speedwell will bloom from early to mid-spring.

Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) blankets the ground with dainty white flowers. It can tolerate high foot traffic, making it a great option to replace grass. It thrives in sandy, dry soil and requires full sun to partial shade. Snow-in-summer grows to about 6 to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. You can expect snowy blooms in late spring and green foliage all year. Snow in summer grows as a perennial in Zones 3 to 7.

Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) forms a dense, woody mat that can stand up to frequent foot traffic. "Thymus" is a Greek word meaning "perfume", a possible nod to creeping thyme's spicy fragrance. Creeping thyme does well in full sun and well-draining soil. It blooms with purple flowers from late summer to early fall. Creeping thyme grows as a perennial in Zones 5 to 8.

Woolly speedwell (Veronica pectinata) forms a thick, sturdy carpet that's resistant to deer and tolerates heavy foot traffic. Wooly speedwell blooms with bright blue flowers from early to mid-spring. It thrives in full sun, dry soil, and grows to 2 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Woolly speedwell grows as a perennial in Zones 4 to 9 and should ideally be planted in the fall. Division is not essential, but if desired, you can divide these plants in spring or early fall.

Native to the mountains of Turkey, Turkish speedwell (Veronica liwanensis) tolerates harsh conditions and is a low-maintenance alternative to grass. Like woolly speedwell, this low-growing ground cover blooms with bright blue flowers from mid to late spring. Turkish speedwell needs full sun and dry to moderately moist soil. It grows to 3 inches tall and 2 feet wide. Tolerating a wide range of conditions, Turkish speedwell grows as a perennial in Zones 4 to 9.

Bugleweed's (Ajuga reptans) bronze to burgundy leaves tolerate mild foot traffic and can be used as an alternative to grass. Growing just 3 to 6 inches tall, bugleweed sprouts blue or purple flowers in mid to late spring. It is a versatile plant that tolerates all light levels. It prefers moist soil, but it will tolerate moderately dry soil as well. Bugleweed is an evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial that grows in Zones 3 to 10.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) boasts unique chartreuse to gold-colored foliage. It is a very low-growing ground cover at only 3 inches tall. Creeping Jenny grows best in partial shade and moist soil. It can spread aggressively, so make sure you have ample space, and avoid planting this vibrant ground cover in Connecticut, Delaware, and Wisconsin, as it is considered invasive. It should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart when first planted. Creeping Jenny grows as a semi-evergreen perennial in Zones 3 to 8.

English ivy (Hedera helix) is a tough, hardy ground cover that requires almost no maintenance. It can creep quickly up trees and fences, and while it won't steal nutrients directly from trees, it can impede their access to sunlight and even weigh them down. It will need to be pruned often if you don't want English ivy to take over your garden. English ivy is an evergreen plant that is perennial in Zones 4 to 9. Ivies are known to be invasive in the midwestern United States.

Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spicata) is a spreading grassy plant identifiable by its blue or white flowers that bloom from summer to fall and green foliage that turns deep and bronzy in the winter. It grows to 6 to 18 inches tall and spreads 1 to 2 feet wide. Maintaining it is simple, as it is tolerant of drought and most soil types. You will need to mow it high or cut it down in the spring before new leaves develop. Creeping lilyturf is perennial in Zones 4 to 10.

Contrary to its name, mondo grass, or monkey grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), is not a grass, but a member of the lily family. This dense, thin-bladed ground cover tolerates clay soils and full to partial shade and grows in clumps about 8 to 12 inches tall and wide. It is relatively low maintenance, but it may need supplemental water during dry periods. Mondo grass is perennial in Zones 7 to 10.

Native to Japan, pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) is a tough, fast-spreading ground cover packed with glossy, deep green leaves. It gives a rich tone to a yard and blooms with tiny, almost unnoticeable white flowers in early spring. It thrives in shade and moist soil. In the right conditions, it will grow to 8 to 12 inches tall. Pachysandra grows as a perennial in Zones 5 to 9, but keep in mind that this plant is considered invasive in Delaware.

Don't underestimate periwinkle's (Vinca minor) delicate leaves and tiny pale blue flowers. This evergreen ground cover can stand up to foot traffic and grows only 6 inches tall. To care for a periwinkle flower, give it partial shade and moist, humus-rich soil. It blooms from late spring to mid-summer, but it may also bloom sporadically in summer and fall. Periwinkle grows as a perennial in Zones 4 to 8, but it should be noted that it is considered invasive in Delaware and potentially invasive in Alabama.

Silver edged horehound (Marrubium rotundifolium) is a truly unique plant with its pale green, silver-trimmed foliage. This plant is a taller ground cover option, growing up to 10 inches tall at its peak. It tolerates moderate foot traffic. Silver edged horehound sprouts tiny white flowers in dense clusters on its upper stems. It thrives in hot, dry environments with little water. This plant grows as a perennial in Zones 4 to 9.

Silver nail wort (Paronychia kapela ssp. serpyllifolia) is a low-growing ground cover at only 1 inch tall, and stands up easily to moderate foot traffic. This plant has thyme-like leaves, boasts small white flowers, and is more durable and tolerant to drought than white thyme, making it a low-maintenance alternative. Its flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Silver nail wort is an evergreen plant that grows as a perennial in Zones 4 to 8.

If you want vibrant purple hues, look no further than dead nettle (Lamium maculatum). This plant is a tough, fast-growing ground cover with varieties that bloom with pink, purple, or white flowers from late spring to mid-summer. Dead nettle thrives in heavy shade and moist soil, but it can also tolerate periods of drought. It grows 4 to 6 inches tall and 12 to 15 inches wide. Dead nettle grows as a perennial in Zones 3 to 8.