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green ground cover plants

If you're searching for green ground cover plants to enhance the beauty and functionality of your garden, you're in the right place. Green ground cover plants are the unsung heroes of landscaping in New Zealand, offering lush foliage, easy-care options, and year-round appeal. Whether you want to fill bare spots, reduce maintenance, curb weeds, or add texture to your outdoor spaces, these versatile plants create a vibrant, inviting carpet of greenery. With many native and exotic choices available, you can easily find a ground cover that suits your garden's conditions—sun, shade, moisture, or dry spots. Explore the best green ground cover plants below to transform your landscape with timeless softness and lasting colour.

juniperus-conferta-2

Juniperus conferta

Juniperus conferta, commonly known as the Shore Juniper plant, is an impressive, ground hugging conifer which is often used as a groundcover. It features fine, green-grey foliage held on slender, sprawling stems. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and 2 m wide as a somewhat dense mat. Juniperus conferta is commonly used as a groundcover, allowed to spill over the side of a wall or across steps, or planted around the base of larger trees.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Ground covering, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern
vinca-elizabeth-cran-1

Vinca Elizabeth Cran

5 from 1 customers

Vinca Elizabeth Cran is a variety of the commonly known, Lesser Periwinkle, features small, dark green leaves which are held densely on stems that creep along the ground. Semi-double, purple flowers adorn the plant in spring as it grows to about 10 cm tall and 1 m wide. Vinca Elizabeth Cran is commonly included in cottage gardens and used where a hardy groundcover is required. It is also often grown in a container or hanging basket and allowed to cascade over the edges.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 10 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
Isotoma fluviatilis plants grow as a ground cover, featuring lush, green foliage and attractive, blue flowers.

Isotoma fluviatilis

Isotoma fluviatilis features small, dark green leaves that give the appearance of a lush, green carpet. The foliage is adorned with masses of small...

From$19.58
Pratia angulata (Panakenake) plants growing as a dense ground cover with lush green leaves and pretty, white flowers.

Pratia angulata

Pratia angulata, commonly known as Panakenake, is a fast-growing, NZ native ground cover plant. It has small, rounded, green leaves that are held...

From$19.58
A Gardenia radicans shrub looking amazing with lush foliage and white flowers.

Gardenia radicans

Gardenia radicans is a compact, low-growing shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers. Blooming from late spring...

From$25.58
Selliera 'Sundrops' plant with variegated yellow and green, fleshy leaves.

Selliera 'Sundrops'

Selliera 'Sundrops' is a tough low growing ground cover valued for its glossy green foliage and cheerful yellow daisy flowers that appear through the...

From$19.58
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$20.18
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' ground cover shrub with brown stems and leaves.

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy'

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' is a unique ground covering evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate brown foliage and naturally spreading form. Well...

From$21.53
coprosma-repens-green-rocks-

Coprosma Green Rocks (Mirror Bush)

Coprosma Green Rocks, commonly known as Mirror Bush, is a NZ native shrub that carries glossy green leaves on spreading stems. This evergreen...

From$24.98
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.

Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width...

From$20.93
bergenia-cordifolia-3

Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant)

Bergenia cordifolia is a hardy evergreen perennial admired for its large glossy leaves and clusters of pink flowers in late winter and spring. This...

From$21.53
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.

Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$15.53
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.

Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$19.58
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.

Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$13.43
chlorophytum-curly--2

Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

From$21.53
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' is a robust New Zealand native shrub prized for its vibrant green foliage and dense growth. Perfect for creating privacy...

From$21.53
cupressus-green-spire-2

Cupressus Green Spire

Cupressus Green Spire is a conifer valued for its slender, upright habit that brings an architectural effect. It carries fine, dark -green foliage...

From$28.28
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.

Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$20.93
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' trees standing 5 m tall as a lush, green screen.

Thuja 'Green Giant'

Thuja 'Green Giant' is a smaller variety of Cedar and bears sprays of glossy, dark green foliage held on slender stems. The result is a tree with a...

From$33.68
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' hedge with bright green foliage.

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (Green Cedar)

Thuja 'Smaragd', commonly known as the Green or Emerald Cedar, grows with a narrow, dense, and columnar habit. The foliage is rich green, sometimes...

From$33.68
Stromanthe triostar plant.

Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$32.33
grevillea-cream-and-green-

Grevillea 'Cream and Green'

Grevillea 'Cream and Green' is an attractive evergreen shrub known for its soft cream flowers and lush green foliage. Flowering over a long period...

From$28.28
Dodonaea viscosa small tree with green foliage.

Dodonaea viscosa (Green Ake Ake)

Dodonaea viscosa, commonly known as the Green Ake Ake, features lush, bright green leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$18.83
Coprosma 'Green and Gold' lush and glossy variegated foliage.

Coprosma 'Green and Gold'

Coprosma 'Green and Gold' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its striking variegated foliage in bright green edged with golden yellow. Well...

From$24.98
cupressocyparis-leightons-green-1

Cupressocyparis Leightons Green

Cupressocyparis Leightons Green is a versatile plant ideal for New Zealand gardens, featuring unique qualities and year-round appeal.

From$28.28
Griselinia 'Gecko Green' plants growing as a hedge.

Griselinia 'Gecko Green'

Griselinia' Gecko Green' is an evergreen shrub with thick, glossy foliage that is deep green and held densely. It typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m...

From$22.88
Euonymus 'Green Spires' plant with dense, dark green foliage.

Euonymus 'Green Spire'

Euonymus 'Green Spire' is a narrow, upright evergreen shrub admired for its strong vertical form and glossy green foliage. Compact and tidy, it...

From$24.23
helichrysum-petiolare--3

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice plant, is a popular, evergreen shrub that is often used as a groundcover. It produces long...

From$24.23
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.

Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$16.13
70-windbreak-2

Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$420.00
Corokia 'Geenty's Green' hedge.

Corokia 'Geenty's Green'

Corokia 'Geenty's Green' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears narrow, olive-green leaves that have a silver underside. Masses of small, star-like...

From$22.88
buxus-green-gem-

Buxus 'Green Gem'

Buxus 'Green Gem' is a compact, evergreen boxwood plant that is ideal for low hedges, borders, and topiary in New Zealand gardens. It forms a dense...

From$12.08
Juniperus conferta

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Bergenia, Buxus, Carex, Chlorophytum, Coprosma, Corokia, Cupressocyparis, Cupressus, Dodonaea, Euonymus, Gardenia, Grevillea, Griselinia, Helichrysum, Isotoma, Juniperus, Lomandra, Phormium, Pittosporum, Pratia, Sedum, Selliera, Stromanthe Thuja and Vinca, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Conifer Trees, Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Succulents.

Search green ground cover plants

Why Choose Green Ground Cover Plants?

Green ground cover plants provide practical and aesthetic benefits for home gardeners. They’re ideal for suppressing weeds and keeping soil cool, making them incredibly popular in both residential and commercial gardens. Many varieties are drought-tolerant and thrive in a variety of conditions. Whether you have a shaded area beneath a tree or a sunny border, there’s a green ground cover plant perfectly suited for your needs. You’ll enjoy effortless greenery, improved soil health, and a garden that’s easier to maintain—all while creating a harmonious backdrop for your feature plants.

Top Green Ground Cover Plants for New Zealand Gardens

Let’s introduce some standout green ground cover plants available at our nursery:

How to Plant and Maintain Green Ground Cover Plants

Planting green ground cover plants is simple and rewarding. Prepare your site by clearing weeds and loosening the soil. Space ground covers as recommended for each variety—this ensures healthy growth and quick coverage. Mulch around new plantings to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Most green ground cover plants need only occasional watering and a light feed in spring. Prune or trim annually to maintain density and prevent spreading beyond desired boundaries. Regular care will keep your ground cover lush, vibrant, and thriving throughout the seasons.

Discover the Best Green Ground Cover Plants

For more information or to explore our full range, browse our nursery's collection of green ground cover plants. Whether you choose Juniperus conferta, Vinca Elizabeth Cran, Isotoma fluviatilis, Pratia angulata, or Gardenia radicans, you'll enjoy enduring greenery and effortless beauty 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.

–The Plant Company

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