When your garden faces long dry spells you need solutions that keep it looking lush without constant watering. Drought tolerant ground cover plants offer a smart way to maintain vibrant landscapes even when rain is scarce. These tough beauties add color and texture while helping you save time and resources.

You don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability. With the right choices your outdoor spaces can thrive through hot summers and unpredictable weather. Whether you’re updating a sunny yard or searching for low-maintenance options these plants make gardening easier and more rewarding.

What Are Drought Tolerant Ground Cover Plants?

Drought tolerant ground cover plants survive and spread with low water input, holding soil and filling gaps in gardens with persistent foliage or blooms. These plants endure long dry spells, using deep roots or water-retentive leaves for survival.

Diverse species exist, including succulents like Sedum, flowering perennials such as Lantana, and aromatic herbs like Thyme. Succulents store water in their fleshy leaves, an example being Sedum spurium. Flowering perennials handle heat with tough root systems, such as Lantana camara. Aromatic herbs resist drought with small, hairy leaves, like Thymus serpyllum.

Growth covers bare soil, limiting weed formation and soil erosion. Spreading stems or close growth from plants like Dymondia margaretae help form dense mats across dry garden spaces.

Visually, these plants offer low-growing shapes, fine textures, or colorful flowers, as seen in creeping rosemary or ice plant. This ground-hugging characteristic maintains soil moisture and stabilizes areas with little care.

By grouping drought tolerant ground cover plants, you create a unified garden base that remains attractive during dry periods, reducing dependence on constant watering or fertilizer.

Benefits of Using Drought Tolerant Ground Cover Plants

Using drought tolerant ground cover plants gives you several garden management benefits while improving outdoor aesthetics. These plants cover exposed soil with dense growth, reducing evaporation and conserving soil moisture during prolonged dry periods.

You reduce maintenance since species like Sedum, Lantana, and Thyme thrive without frequent watering or fertilizing, supporting consistent color and coverage even when rainfall is scarce. By planting these ground covers, you significantly minimize weed invasion and soil erosion, since their roots stabilize the ground and their leaves form a physical barrier.

You also create an energy-efficient landscape, since these plants can moderate soil temperature and prevent rapid water loss. Insects and pollinators visit ground covers like Lantana and Creeping Thyme, so you support garden biodiversity while benefiting from continuous ground protection.

With drought tolerant choices, gardens remain attractive and productive in low-water conditions, making your outdoor space easier to sustain regardless of changing weather patterns.

Top Drought Tolerant Ground Cover Plants to Consider

You gain better garden coverage and sustained color by choosing drought tolerant ground cover plants that use minimal water and thrive through long dry spells. Select low-growing plants with deep roots or succulent leaves to increase drought resistance and optimize maintenance.

Succulent Ground Covers

You get strong drought protection with succulent ground covers, as their thick leaves store water efficiently.

• Sedum: Sedum spreads fast, forms a dense mat, and offers yellow, pink, or white blooms in summer.
• Delosperma (Ice Plant): Delosperma grows in rocky spots, bringing carpet-like coverage and daisy-shaped flowers in shades like magenta or yellow.
• Dymondia: Dymondia creates a silver-green blanket that tolerates both foot traffic and intense heat.

Flowering Ground Covers

You introduce lasting curb appeal and pollinator interest with flowering drought tolerant ground covers.

• Lantana: Lantana offers clusters of pink, yellow, or orange flowers while handling full sun and poor soils.
• Gazania: Gazania displays bold, daisy-like blooms in orange, gold, or white, thriving in sandy or dry locations.
• Thyme (Creeping Thyme): Thyme forms a scented, purple-tinged carpet, attracting bees and resisting dry periods.

Evergreen Ground Covers

You maintain soil cover in any season with evergreen drought tolerant ground covers.

• Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping Juniper): Juniperus horizontalis delivers dense blue-green foliage that stops erosion and persists in drought.
• Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ (Creeping Rosemary): Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ keeps glossy, aromatic leaves year-round and grows over walls or slopes.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry): Arctostaphylos uva-ursi establishes in poor, sandy soils, with tough leaves and small red berries that draw wildlife.

How to Select the Right Drought Tolerant Ground Cover for Your Garden

Start with your location’s climate and soil

Review local rainfall patterns and average temperatures before picking ground cover plants. Check your soil’s texture and drainage using a quick percolation test—dig a hole, fill it with water, then see how fast it drains. Sandy soils suit Delosperma or Sedum, while heavier, clay-rich soils support Creeping Thyme or Lantana.

Match plant growth habits with garden needs

Select dense, spreading species if your goal is weed suppression or erosion control. Use compact, slow-growing types such as Blue Star Creeper for stone paths or patios. Group faster spreaders, for example, Lantana, in open areas that need quick cover.

Prioritize sun or shade compatibility

Plant sun-loving choices, such as Gazania or Sedum, in open beds. Place shade-tolerant types, like Vinca minor, under trees or along north-facing walls. Confirm each plant’s light requirements on nursery tags or in detailed gardening guides.

Review height, texture, and appearance

Match ground cover color and bloom time with your preferred garden style. Choose low-growing options, for example, Creeping Thyme, along edges. Use taller choices, such as Creeping Rosemary, for soft boundaries or raised beds. Select varieties with evergreen foliage if you want all-season coverage.

Balance maintenance with purpose

Pick low-maintenance, drought tolerant ground cover if you want fewer tasks and reduced irrigation. Choose hardy perennials—examples include Sedum and Creeping Juniper—if you want lasting results through changing weather.

Check compatibility with existing plants

Select ground cover that coexists with your established shrubs or perennials by matching root depth and water needs. Avoid combining thirsty plants with drought adaptable ones, since mismatched water requirements could compromise garden health.

Compare common drought tolerant ground covers using key criteria:

Select the right drought tolerant ground cover by assessing climate, soil, garden purpose, existing plantings, sun exposure, and maintenance preference. This ensures successful ground coverage, minimal care, and lasting garden appeal.

Planting and Maintenance Tips

Spacing and Soil Preparation

Space drought-tolerant ground cover plants based on their mature spread—for example, Sedum and Delosperma need 12–18 inches between each plant. Prepare soil by loosening it to a depth of 8 inches and amending with coarse sand or grit if drainage is poor. Remove rocks and weeds before planting to limit competition for water.

Watering Practices

Water newly planted ground covers every 3–4 days for two weeks, then switch to every 10–14 days once roots establish. Apply water in the early morning to limit evaporation loss. Mature plants like Thyme or Creeping Juniper tolerate dry spells for several weeks, needing water only if leaves wilt or soil becomes completely dry.

Mulching Techniques

Apply a 2-inch thick layer of gravel mulch around base stems, keeping it clear of crowns to avoid rot. Use stone or bark for plants such as Lantana and Gazania, which prefer warm root zones. Mulch suppresses weed growth and reduces moisture loss.

Fertilizing and Feeding

Feed drought-resistant ground covers sparingly. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once during spring to avoid excessive foliage at expense of deep ruddy roots. Skip additional feeding if plants look healthy and grow well in poor soils.

Pruning and Grooming

Trim sprawling stems after flowering to control spread and improve appearance. Remove dead or damaged foliage from Sedum, Delosperma, and Lantana in spring. Thin out crowded patches every 2–3 years to maintain airflow and control mold.

Weeding and Pest Control

Hand-pull weeds from under low-growing ground covers before they seed. Monitor for pests such as aphids on Lantana or scale on Creeping Rosemary. Treat localized infestations with insecticidal soap for best results.

Overwintering and Long-Term Care

Add an extra mulch layer for extra root insulation in regions where winter dips below 20°F. Clip foliage back to a few inches above soil for deciduous types like some perennials. Check each spring for winter damage and prune out dead growth before new shoots emerge.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Poor Soil Drainage

Dense or clay-heavy soil blocks water movement, causing root damage for drought-tolerant ground cover plants like Sedum and Gazania. Amend soil with coarse sand or organic matter, using amounts based on soil texture, to increase drainage and aeration. Test soil by filling a hole with water and observing drainage over a few hours before planting.

Weed Invasion

Weeds outcompete species such as Thyme and Lantana for available nutrients. Remove weeds before planting, using a hoe or hand pulling. Use a 2-inch mulch layer with bark or gravel around new ground cover to blank out light and suppress emerging weeds.

Patchy Coverage

Sparse or uneven growth weakens the weed barrier and exposes soil. Space plants like Delosperma or Creeping Juniper by manufacturer-recommended distances, typically 12–18 inches apart, to prevent bare spots and promote quick coverage. Fill gaps with low-growing plugs if a section remains bare in the first growing season.

Water Stress After Planting

Young plants experience water loss before developing deep roots. Water new ground cover deeply once after planting, then reduce frequency over the next three weeks, only adding water if soil dries out two inches below the surface.

Pest Outbreaks

Aphids or mites feed on lush new foliage, affecting low-growing species such as Lantana and Gazania. Inspect leaves weekly during warm months, smashing clusters by hand if limited or spraying with horticultural soap as needed. Avoid over-watering, as it creates favorable conditions for pest populations.

Root Rot

Over-irrigation or poor drainage leads to root decay in drought-adapted plants such as Sedum and Creeping Rosemary. Dig up and discard affected plants. Reduce watering of unaffected patches, and modify soil as listed above to restore aeration.

Winter Damage

Unexpected frost injures semi-evergreen ground covers like Lantana. In autumn, prune dead stems and cover root zones with a 2-inch mulch layer of straw or pine needles if frost threatens before full acclimation. Uncover in spring to restore normal conditions.

Conclusion

Choosing drought-tolerant ground cover plants lets you enjoy a beautiful and resilient landscape while using less water and effort. With so many options available there's a perfect fit for every garden style and condition. By making smart plant choices you'll create a garden that stays lush and colorful even when rain is scarce. Embrace these hardy ground covers and watch your outdoor space thrive—saving you time and supporting the environment at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are drought-tolerant ground cover plants?

Drought-tolerant ground cover plants are low-growing species that survive and spread with minimal water. They often have deep roots or water-retaining leaves, allowing them to thrive in dry conditions and cover soil effectively while requiring little maintenance.

Why should I use drought-tolerant ground cover in my garden?

Using drought-tolerant ground cover saves water, reduces maintenance, and keeps your garden looking vibrant even during dry spells. These plants also prevent weed growth, minimize soil erosion, and help support local pollinators.

Which drought-tolerant ground cover plants are most popular?

Popular choices include succulents like Sedum and Delosperma, flowering plants such as Lantana and Gazania, and evergreens like Creeping Juniper or Creeping Rosemary. Each offers unique color, texture, and drought resistance.

How do I choose the right drought-tolerant ground cover for my yard?

Select plants based on your garden’s sunlight, soil type, and climate. Consider the plant’s growth habit, height, color, and texture to match your garden’s look and your maintenance preferences.

Do drought-tolerant ground covers need any watering at all?

While established drought-tolerant ground covers need little water, young plants will require regular watering until their roots are established. After that, deep but infrequent watering works best.

Can these plants help with weed control?

Yes. The dense, spreading nature of drought-tolerant ground covers forms a living mulch that suppresses weed growth and reduces the need for chemical weed killers.

Will drought-tolerant ground cover plants survive cold winters?

Some species, like Creeping Juniper, tolerate cold better than others. For less hardy plants, provide winter protection with mulch or select varieties suited to your climate zone.

What challenges might I face when growing drought-tolerant ground covers?

Common issues include poor soil drainage, patchy growth, weed invasion, pests, root rot, and winter damage. These can often be managed with good soil preparation, mulching, proper spacing, and appropriate care methods.

How do drought-tolerant ground covers affect garden wildlife?

These plants can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping support local biodiversity, while their dense cover provides habitat for beneficial insects.

Do I need to fertilize drought-tolerant ground cover plants?

Most drought-tolerant ground covers need little or no fertilizer once established, making them a low-maintenance and eco-friendly choice for sustainable gardens.