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best ground cover plants nz

If you’re searching for the best ground cover plants NZ has to offer, you’re in the right place. Ground covers are essential for New Zealand gardens, providing weed suppression, erosion control, and lush greenery in tricky spots. Whether you’re landscaping a sunny slope, shady border, or coastal path, choosing the right ground cover can transform your outdoor spaces. Let’s explore top options that thrive in our unique climate and soil, with easy-care natives and resilient exotics for every situation.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris growing as a ground cover.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as Creeping Wire Vine, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover with wiry stems and small, dark green leaves. It forms a dense, mat-like spread ideal for covering banks, rockeries, or underplanting.

Buy Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

From $20.01

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 20 cm

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Ground covering, Paths & Steps

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native

Coprosma kirkii

Coprosma kirkii, commonly known as Creeping Coprosma, is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub valued for its dense, trailing habit and small glossy green leaves. This evergreen plant spreads across the ground, suppressing weeds and providing year round greenery.

Buy Coprosma kirkii

From $11.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 80 cm

Spread: 2.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Shade, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian

Why Choose Ground Cover Plants?

Ground cover plants do more than just fill gaps—they help keep moisture in the soil, reduce maintenance, and create a polished, cohesive look for your garden. Their dense growth habit also plays a key role in suppressing weeds organically. Many ground covers are tolerant of dry conditions, coastal winds, and varying soil types, making them ideal for New Zealand’s diverse gardens.

Top 5 Ground Cover Plants for NZ Gardens

1. Coprosma kirkii

Coprosma kirkii is a popular native choice for New Zealand gardens. Its low, spreading form and glossy green foliage make it excellent for bank planting or as a tidy, low-maintenance lawn alternative. This hardy evergreen tolerates drought and coastal conditions, making it a favourite for exposed sites.

2. Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

With its wiry stems and tiny leaves, Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine) is ideal for trailing over walls, covering bare earth, and filling in rocky spaces. This NZ native handles tough conditions, from heat to frost, and thrives in full sun to part shade.

3. Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

For a splash of colour, Coprosma kirkii 'variegata' offers an attractive twist on the classic with its silvery-green foliage edged in creamy white. It’s a superb choice for brightening up shaded borders or adding interest to mass plantings.

4. Pimelea mimosa

Pimelea mimosa, known for its low, spreading habit and delicate white flowers, is perfect for seaside gardens and poor soils. This resilient native provides excellent ground coverage and attracts beneficial pollinators to your garden.

5. Pratia angulata

Looking for a ground cover that thrives in damp, shady spots? Pratia angulata, also called Panakenake, grows quickly into a dense mat of small, glossy leaves and produces charming white flowers in spring and summer. It’s ideal for boggy sites or filling in gaps between pavers.

Planting and Care Tips

To get the best from your ground cover plants in NZ, prepare the area with good drainage, remove existing weeds, and mulch well. Water regularly during establishment, especially through dry spells. Most ground covers benefit from a light trim after flowering to maintain dense growth, but they’re generally low-maintenance once settled in.

Find the Best Ground Cover Plants for Your NZ Garden

Choosing the best ground cover plants NZ gardeners love means healthier soil, less weeding, and a stunning, cohesive landscape. Explore native options like Coprosma kirkii, Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine), and Pimelea mimosa to enjoy beautiful, resilient coverage year-round. Visit our plant catalogue for inspiration and trusted advice on transforming any tricky space in your garden.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

best ground cover plants nz

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Coprosma kirkii

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Why Choose Ground Cover Plants?