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Seven ground covers can be worth considering for a lower-water landscape: creeping thyme, creeping juniper, sedums, Angelina stonecrop, red ice plant, dymondia, and lantana. None is drought-tolerant or low-maintenance in every climate, and most need water while becoming established. Match your choice to local growing conditions, sun, drainage, foot traffic, and whether you want evergreen foliage or flowers.
How to choose a ground cover that will actually be low maintenance
Start with your site, not the plant’s label. Extension recommendations for these options come from regions as different as Nevada, California, Virginia, and Florida; treat them as candidates to verify against local guidance rather than a universal planting list. The University of Maryland Extension’s ground-cover guide organizes options by exposure, drainage, and drought tolerance, a useful way to narrow the field.
- Sun and drainage: Check whether the site is sunny or shaded and whether water drains freely. Creeping juniper, for example, is recommended for full sun and well-drained soil.
- Establishment: Drought tolerance usually describes a plant after it is established, not immediately after planting. Some ground covers need preparation, spacing, and regular watering during their initial growth.
- Use: “Light foot traffic” is not the same as repeated heavy traffic. These plants should not be assumed to perform like turf in a busy path.
- Appearance and upkeep: Decide whether you want evergreen foliage, seasonal color, flowers, or a mat that may need occasional trimming or weeding.
- People and pets: Account for bees around flowering thyme and the animal-toxicity warnings for lantana.
There is no comparable measured water-use figure or head-to-head trial in the cited guidance, so the options below are not ranked by water savings.
Seven drought-tolerant ground-cover candidates
1. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum and related creeping thymes)
Creeping thyme is a low-growing, aromatic option for sunny areas with little foot traffic. Nebraska Extension describes it as drought-tolerant and suitable for sunny spaces; UC Cooperative Extension says it tolerates light foot traffic and recommends spacing plants 6–12 inches apart. Its Ventura County guidance also calls for site preparation and says that, once established, it needs little mowing, fertilizer, or water. Nebraska Extension notes that occasional trimming may be needed. Flowers attract bees, so consider that when placing it beside a path used by children or pets.
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Sources: University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Alternative Turf; UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County (Zone 10) Turf Alternatives.
2. Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
This evergreen is a candidate for sunny, well-drained slopes. Virginia Cooperative Extension notes that shade and poor drainage can contribute to disease and poor health. Its low-growing forms can also leave openings where weeds take hold, so “low maintenance” does not mean weed-proof. ‘Blue Rug’ (also known as ‘Wiltonii’) is one named low-growing cultivar.
Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Creeping Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis.
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- Inoculated with Rhizobium; Encourages Mycorrhizal Fungi populations to explode, which literally help deliver nutrients to the roots of the plants
- Bio-diverse array of cover crop varieties attracts wide variety of beneficial organisms & predators which contribute to soil fertility and humus quality
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3. Sedums and stonecrops
Sedum is a varied group, not one uniform ground cover. Nebraska Extension describes sedums as drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, with uses in sunny areas, rock gardens, and green roofs. Choose a species or cultivar suited to your local conditions rather than assuming every sedum has the same growth habit or site needs.
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4. Angelina stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
For Southern Nevada, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension describes Angelina stonecrop as a low-growing mat with yellow summer flowers that tolerates full sun to light shade. The guide calls it a particularly low-maintenance alternative. That is regional guidance, not a guarantee of performance in other climates.
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- FAST GROWING COVER FOR SPRING & FALL: Establishes quickly to protect bare soil, suppress weeds, and improve soil between planting seasons
- NATURAL NITROGEN FIXATION: Winter peas and hairy vetch work together to naturally add nitrogen back into the soil, reducing fertilizer needs
- WEED SUPPRESSION & SOIL PROTECTION: Dense growth shades out weeds and helps reduce erosion while keeping your soil covered
5. Red ice plant (Malephora crocea)
The same Southern Nevada guide describes red ice plant as an evergreen succulent with blue-green foliage and red-orange flowers from spring into late summer. Its hardiness recommendation is attributed to Master Gardener testimonials, rather than a quantified trial, so use it as region-specific guidance and check local suitability.
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- ADVANCED NITROCOATED & INOCULATED SEEDS: Specially treated to support superior germination rates and enhance soil health, these ground cover seeds promote robust plant growth. They naturally boost soil nitrogen by fixing nitrogen from the air into the soil, making them a great clover seed choice for lawns, gardens, pastures, cover crop mixes, and agricultural applications.
- ADAPTABLE TO USDA ZONES 3-10: Thriving in a wide range of climates, from full sun to partial shade, this white clover seed for lawns is suitable for various regions across the country. Great for spring or fall planting, lawn renovation, pasture improvement, and sustainable ground cover, this resilient clover provides lush growth and reliable coverage.
- EASY & EFFECTIVE SEEDING: Simply disperse the white flower seeds on prepared soil, lightly rake them in, and keep them continually moist. Plant alone or mix with grass seed, pasture blends, or cover crop mixes. Expect quick germination within 14 days at 65-70°F, with a seeding rate of 1/4 lb to 1/2 lb per 1,000 square feet or 8 to 10 lbs per acre.
- OPTIMAL GROWTH & AESTHETIC APPEAL: Growing to a manageable height of 8-12 inches, this perennial clover seed features beautiful white blooms that enhance your landscape. Perfect for customers interested in eco-friendly lawn alternatives, soil improvement, reduced yard maintenance, and a drought-tolerant lawn alternative that naturally supports healthier soil.
6. Dymondia or silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae)
UC Cooperative Extension’s Ventura County (Zone 10) sheet describes dymondia as extremely drought-tolerant once established, suitable for full sun or light shade, and not needing mowing. It tolerates light foot traffic, but requires regular watering during its first six months. Those establishment needs and the sheet’s regional scope matter when deciding whether it fits your project.
Source: UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County (Zone 10) Turf Alternatives.
7. Lantana (Lantana species)
UF/IFAS describes lantana as drought-, heat-, and salt-tolerant and low-maintenance in Florida, with full sun preferred. Regular watering can improve flowering. Species and cultivars vary, so Florida guidance should not be treated as a recommendation for every region. UF/IFAS also warns that lantana leaves are highly toxic to animals and unripe berries are poisonous; avoid planting where animals may eat them.
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- LOW-GROWING LAWN ALTERNATIVE: Growing only 1-2 inches tall, Irish Moss seeds offer a compact, low-maintenance ground cover that is perfect for lawn replacement, pathway edging, patio makeovers, rock garden design, and filling gaps between stepping stones or pavers for a seamless finish.
- ADAPTABLE TO SHADE & SUN: Irish Moss can thrive in both partial shade and full sun, making it versatile for shaded pathways, bright patios, rock gardens, and border plantings. This perennial favorite is a dependable choice for customers interested in shade-tolerant ground cover, lawn alternatives, and low-maintenance outdoor design.
- MOISTURE-RETAINING & SOFT TEXTURE: Irish Moss ground cover grows well in moist, well-drained soils and forms a soft, carpet-like surface. It pairs well with stepping stones, pavers, patio borders, rock gardens, and other low-growing ground cover plants while helping retain soil moisture in shaded areas and cooler gardens.
- COLD-HARDY PERENNIAL FOR ALL SEASONS: With cold tolerance and perennial growth, Irish Moss returns each year to add low-growing greenery to your landscape. Perfect for shaded gardens, rockery, patio ground cover, and low-traffic areas, this deer-resistant ground cover adds delicate white spring-to-summer blooms and enhances outdoor spaces year-round.
Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension, Lantana – Gardening Solutions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to expect during establishment and afterward
Plan for planting work before counting on reduced maintenance. Prepare the site and space plants according to the guidance for your chosen variety; for creeping thyme, UC Cooperative Extension recommends 6–12 inches between plants. Keep up with establishment watering even when the plant is described as drought-tolerant: the Ventura County dymondia guidance specifically calls for regular watering during the first six months.
After establishment, needs still depend on the plant and site. Creeping thyme may need occasional trimming; creeping juniper’s low stature can allow weeds to establish; and flowering lantana may flower better with regular watering. Ground cover can reduce mowing in some cases, but it does not eliminate site-specific care.
Which option fits your site?
| Plant | Guidance and site fit | Establishment or ongoing considerations | Appearance and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creeping thyme | Sunny, low-traffic sites; light foot traffic is tolerated. | Prepare the site; space 6–12 inches apart; occasional trimming may be needed. | Low-growing and aromatic; flowers attract bees. |
| Creeping juniper | Full sun and well-drained soil; recommended as a slope candidate. | Weeds may establish in openings in low-growing forms. | Evergreen; ‘Blue Rug’/‘Wiltonii’ is a named low-growing cultivar. |
| Sedums / stonecrops | Some options suit sunny sites, rock gardens, and green roofs; choose for local conditions. | Needs vary across the group. | Forms and traits vary by species or cultivar. |
| Angelina stonecrop | Southern Nevada guidance; full sun to light shade. | Described as particularly low-maintenance in that regional guide. | Low mat with yellow summer flowers. |
| Red ice plant | Southern Nevada guidance; local suitability should be checked. | Hardiness is described through Master Gardener testimonials, not a quantified trial. | Evergreen blue-green foliage; red-orange flowers from spring into late summer. |
| Dymondia / silver carpet | Ventura County (Zone 10) guidance; full sun or light shade; light foot traffic. | Regular watering during the first six months; drought-tolerant once established. | Does not need mowing according to the regional sheet. |
| Lantana | Florida guidance; full sun preferred; species and cultivars vary. | Flowering can improve with regular watering; toxic to animals as described by UF/IFAS. | Flowering ground-cover candidate; foliage and unripe berries pose animal-poisoning risks. |
The table summarizes extension guidance, not a controlled comparison. Verify a plant’s hardiness and performance with a local extension service or knowledgeable local nursery before selecting it for a construction or landscape project.
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