Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Shade — 7 to Consider

The right ground cover in the right area is essential, and a good, low-maintenance ground cover for shade is a great way to green up areas where grass just won’t grow—after all, most types of grass need four to six hours of sun per day.

Known for spreading quite quickly, ground covers are a fun way to add color and foliage to your landscape. They’re also great for decorative purposes, require little maintenance, and are ideal for enriching the soil. But how do you choose the right grass alternatives for shade?

“When choosing low-maintenance groundcover plants for shady areas, it’s important to consider their shade tolerance, preferred soil conditions, and suitability for your local climate and hardiness zone,” Andrew Gaumond, horticulturist and editorial director of Petal Republic, tells us. “I also recommend opting for plants with appropriate growth rates and non-invasive habits to complement your larger garden design. The great thing is, you can also prioritize ones that have minimal watering, pruning, and pest resistance needs.”

If you want your lawn to be easy to maintain or just want to try another lawn option, we’ve got you covered. Here are 7 low-maintenance ground covers for shade, chosen by an expert.

What ground covers thrive in a shady yard?

Ornamental flowers of the lesser periwinkle Vinca minor in bloom

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Whether you’re looking for the best ground cover to keep weeds at bay or you’re looking for walkable ground covers, there are a range of choices out there, but when it comes to ground covers for shade, we asked horticulturist and gardening expert Andrew Gaumond of Petal Republic to explain.

Ready to share his top picks, Andrew says: “These plants not only look fantastic, but are also low maintenance and offer a range of benefits including weed suppression and soil erosion control.”

Without further ado, here are 7 low-maintenance ground covers for shade.

1. Fern

Fern leaves up close

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Green, graceful and remarkably versatile for both indoor and outdoor use, Andrew says the fern is an ideal low-maintenance groundcover plant for shade.

“The great thing about ferns is that they offer lush, feathery foliage and thrive in shady, moist environments,” Andrew tells us. “Plus, many varieties provide year-round texture and greenery to shady areas and are generally low maintenance once established.”

To get the most out of these leafy greens, be sure to care for your ferns properly!

Hardiness zone: Depending on the variety
Soil type: Well drained, moist
Height: Can grow up to 12 inches tall

Ostrich fern

2. Sweet woodruff

Flowers of Our Lady's Lace or Sweet Woodruff under soft sunlight on a green background in spring

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Known for its small, delicate white flowers, sweet woodruff is a must-have ground cover. These delicate flowers will undoubtedly give your garden a fuller appearance.

Andrew tells us: “I love the bright white flowers and fragrant leaves of sweet woodruff. One of its main benefits is that it spreads quickly in shady areas of the garden and thrives in moist to damp soil.” He adds that this ground cover is also great for deterring pests.

Hardiness zone: Depending on the variety
Soil type: Well drained, moist
Height: 6 to 12 inches tall

Sweet woodruff

3. Lamier

Medicinal flowering plant Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) growing on the lawn

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Also ideal as a filler plant for sparse flower beds, Lamium maculatum thrives best in partial shade.

“These shade-loving plants feature intriguing variegated foliage and small pink, white or purple flowers,” Andrew adds. “They also adapt to moist soil types, adding visual interest with their foliage and flowers.”

Hardiness zone: 3-8
Soil type: Well-drained, rich soil
Height: 6 to 9 inches tall

Frosted Lamium Orchid

4. Ajuga

Purple bugle flowers. Ajuga reptans or blue bugle plants growing in a spring garden

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Ajuga, also known as Bugleweed, this colorful flower with a variety of foliage colors reaching deep burgundy and sometimes even pink – is perfect for ground covers.

Andrew seems to agree and says, “This fast-growing ground cover plant offers a beautiful selection of blue, white, and even purple flowers. It adapts well to different soil types and can even help prevent soil erosion.” Depending on the type, this plant can bloom in both spring and summer.

Hardiness zone: 3-9
Soil type: Well drained
Height: 1 to 6 inches tall

Chocolate Chip Ajuga - Carpet Bugle

Chocolate Chip Ajuga – Carpet Bugle – Miniature Leaves 8 Plants – 1 3/4″ Pot

5. Epimedium

Horny goat weed (Epimedium) leaves, Botanical Garden

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Epimedium or horny goat weed is a lovely foliage plant that will grow to a spreading shape and will wrap itself beautifully around your garden. It is also ideal for landscape borders, so you can enhance your garden however you like.

“Horsewort has beautiful heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers and grows more than well in shady areas. Once established, it is drought tolerant and provides abundant ground cover under trees,” says Andrew.

Hardiness zone: 3-9
Soil type: Well drained, loamy
Height: 8 to 10 inches tall

Perennial Farm Market Epimedium x 'Frohnleiten' (Epimedium officinale)

Perennial Farm Market Epimedium x ‘Frohnleiten’ (Epimedium officinale)

6. Vinca Minor

Vinca minor flowers in a backyard

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

“Periwinkle is a lovely evergreen ground cover with lovely white or blue flowers,” says Andrew. “These hardy plants are drought tolerant and their dense growth can also help suppress weeds.”

Periwinkle (Vinca Minor) is probably one of my favorites, as it has gorgeous purple flowers with airy green foliage. But as beautiful as these flowers are, they can become invasive in some parts of the world, especially North America and New Zealand.

Hardiness zone: 4-9
Soil type: Loamy, sandy
Height: 6 inches tall

Vinca minor 'Bowles' (Periwinkle) Perennial

Vinca minor ‘Bowles’ (Periwinkle) Perennial

7. Liriope

Liriope muscari, commonly called lily grass, which appears next to dark green leaves

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Also known as one of the best plants for front walkways, Liriope or Lilyturf is sure to add character and color to any space.

Andrew tells us: “Liriope offers beautiful grassy foliage and purple to white flowers that thrive in shady gardens. Once established, they require very little maintenance.”

Hardiness zone: 4-19
Soil type: Well-drained, moist soil
Height: 12 to 18 inches tall

Variegated Liriope Plant

Variegated Liriope plant Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’

FAQ

What are ground covers used for?

Fern leaves in a garden, wood fern Dryopteris felix-mas

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

There are many reasons to add ground covers to a garden. Whether you are looking to add color to your landscape or beautify your space, ground covers are an ideal choice to achieve this.

You can also use ground covers to cover hot, dry areas of your garden, to block out daylight, or to help cover large slopes.

Are any of these ground covers invasive?

Before planting ground covers in your garden, it is important to understand which plants can become more than just aggressive and invasive.

You can check your state’s list of invasive and noxious plants on the United States Department of Agriculture website before adding them to your outdoor living space.

Some ground cover plants known to be invasive include: chameleon plant, evening primrose, English ivy, and last but not least, goutweed.