How To Plant Ground Cover

Ground cover plants offer an attractive, low-maintenance alternative to traditional lawns. These versatile plants can transform difficult-to-mow areas, control erosion on slopes, and add visual interest to your landscape. Learn how to plant ground cover, correctly water and maintain it, and troubleshoot common issues in our step-by-step guide below. Then watch the video above for tips from This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook.

Choosing the Right Ground Cover

Consider the factors below when you’re deciding which type of ground cover is most appropriate for your space:

Light Requirements

Different ground cover plants thrive in different light conditions. Some of the most popular options are below.

• Shady areas: Pachysandra, vinca minor, ajuga
• Sunny areas: Baltic ivy, creeping phlox, sedum

TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada recommends looking beyond the usual fallbacks of English ivy, pachysandra, and periwinkle. For sunny spots, consider ‘Rozanne’ hardy geranium (Zones 5–8), ‘Angelina’ stonecrop (Zones 6–9), or ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ears (Zones 4–9). For shaded areas, bunchberry (Zones 2–7) and wild ginger (Zones 2–8) are excellent alternatives. When shopping, check the plant labels for the terms vigorous, moderate, or slow-growing to help you choose according to your timeline.

Soil Type and Drainage

Make sure the ground cover you choose is compatible with your soil conditions. Some plants prefer well-draining soil, while others can tolerate moist environments.

Growth Rate and Spread

Consider how quickly you want to fill in your outdoor space. Fast-growing species such as ivy can provide quick coverage, while slower-growing options may take longer to establish, but require less maintenance.

Pro Tip: Randall Prostak, an invasive-plants specialist at University of Massachusetts Extension, cautions: “What makes a plant a great ground cover can also make it a garden thug.” When choosing ground covers for a small yard or garden, look for types that grow densely rather than those that send out runners to spread aggressively. Consider using steel or plastic edging sunk several inches into the ground to keep vigorous spreaders in check.

Preparing the Ground Cover Site

You must properly prepare your site to create successful ground cover. Follow the steps below to create an ideal planting environment:

1. Remove existing grass and weeds using a grub hoe or sod cutter.
2. Loosen the soil with a power tiller or cultivator to a depth of 2 or 3 inches.
3. Incorporate organic matter such as peat moss to improve soil quality.
4. Level the area with a garden rake to create an even planting surface.
5. Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer to provide nutrients without risking root burn.

Pro Tip: TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook recommends renting a sod cutter for efficient site prep: “A sod cutter is thorough and efficient, and homeowners can easily rent the machine. Around the trees, we worked by hand using a spade, being careful to not damage the tree roots.” He also notes that sod strips most easily when the soil is moist, so water the area a few days before tackling the task.

Ground Conver Planting Techniques

The planting process varies depending on the type of ground cover you’ve chosen, but you can start with the general guidelines below for any ground cover.

Spacing

• Space larger plants such as ivy about 10 inches apart.
• Space smaller plants such as pachysandra 4–6 inches apart.

Spacing by Pot Size: TOH landscape expert Jenn Nawada offers a handy rule of thumb: “If you buy groundcovers in 4-inch pots, space them about 6 to 8 inches apart.” Plants in 1-gallon containers need more room. For a TOH project featuring 15 different ground cover varieties, the crew adjusted spacing by growth habit — perennials like pachysandra and periwinkle went 6 to 8 inches apart, ferns 12 to 18 inches apart, and woody shrubs like junipers 2 to 3 feet or more apart.

Planting Process

1. Dig holes that are slightly larger than the root ball of each plant.
2. Place the plant in the hole.
3. Backfill with soil, and gently firm around the roots.
4. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.

Mulching and Edging Your Ground Cover

You can establish your plants successfully and improve the appearance of the ground cover by properly mulching and edging. 

Mulching Benefits

• Improves soil quality as it decomposes
• Retains soil moisture
• Suppresses weed growth

Mulching Process

1. Spread a 2–3 inch layer of bark mulch around the ground cover you’ve planted. 
2. Keep mulch away from the stems of the plants to prevent rot.

Edging

Create a defined border between your ground cover and other landscape elements by following the steps below.

• Install edging before you begin planting to avoid disturbing the new ground cover.
• Use landscape edging materials such as plastic, metal, or stone.

Watering and Maintenance of Ground Cover Plants

You must properly care for your plants to keep your ground cover healthy. Follow the steps below.

Watering Schedule

Water deeply 2–3 times per week during the first growing season. Adjust watering frequency based on rainfall and temperature.

During the first summer, plan to water twice a week. As Roger Cook advises on a recent TOH project: “During the summer, I want you to water twice a week. Not only will the ground cover benefit from it, but so will this beech tree from the added water.” Where water is scarce, consider drip irrigation — drip systems deliver precise amounts of water to individual plants and, by not wetting the entire area, help minimize weeds.

Weed Control

• Remove weeds immediately to prevent competition with the ground cover.
• Use mulch to suppress weed growth.

Pro Tip: TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook stresses the importance of staying on top of weeds early: “I’d rather weed more often so that they don’t get big or set seeds. I weed by hand so I can pull out the roots. Otherwise they grow right back.”

Fertilizing

• Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive growth and maintenance.

Combining Different Ground Covers

Combine different types of ground cover to enhance your landscape design.

Considerations for Mixing Species

• Choose plants that have similar growing requirements.
• Consider texture, color, and growth habits when pairing plants.
• Use curves or natural barriers to separate different species.

Expert Insight: Landscape designer Chassé, who has designed ground-cover gardens in both Boston and Bar Harbor, Maine, emphasizes the value of blending evergreen and deciduous ground covers: “Low-growing evergreens like dwarf junipers and Russian arborvitae are important structural bones in the ground-cover garden. They create sweeping drifts of greenery over the land. But to have all evergreens would be boring.” He recommends adding seasonal accents—such as Virginia sweetspire, which offers showy white flower clusters in early summer followed by purplish-red foliage in fall. In one woodland project, Chassé combined 15 different ground covers, massing together dozens of each type for a natural, layered look.

Troubleshooting Common Ground Cover Issues

You may encounter challenges even if you properly plant and care for your ground cover. Below are some common issues and solutions. 

Bare Patches

• Cause: Uneven growth or plant die-off
• Solution: Replant bare areas with new plants or encourage spreading by pinning down runners.

Invasive Growth

• Cause: Aggressive species that spread beyond the growth areas you’ve designated
• Solution: Install root barriers or choose less aggressive species for future plantings.

Pest and Disease Problems

• Cause: Various insects or pathogens
• Solution: Identify the specific issue and treat it with an appropriate organic or chemical control.