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ground cover plants for walkways

Ground cover plants for walkways bring beauty, resilience, and practicality to garden paths. Whether you dream of a lush, green carpet underfoot or a splash of colour edging your stone walkway, choosing the right ground cover plants creates a welcoming and low-maintenance look. In New Zealand gardens, these plants thrive in our unique climate, offering both ornamental value and functional benefits. Explore below how ground cover plants for walkways can transform your outdoor spaces, and find inspiration to suit every garden style.

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

5 from 3 customers

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green leaves that create dense coverage. Growing up to 4 m wide and 2 m high, it’s perfect for fences, banks, or walls. Pohuehue tolerates wind, salt spray, and dry conditions once established. Small, white flowers are followed by black berries, attracting birds and making it an excellent choice for both erosion control and biodiversity.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Topiary, Walls
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.

Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it produces showy clusters of blue flowers as it grows to 20 cm in height and 50 cm in width. Ajuga reptans' Variegata' is an excellent variety for quickly covering large areas and is often used in borders, allowed to spill out over a path, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Woodland
Coprosma kirkii green foliage held on yellow stems.
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...

From$16.95
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

From$16.95
Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' plants with elegant blue flowers and lush green leaves growing as a ground cover.
Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty'

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' (Carpet Bugle) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy green leaves flushed with bronze and its...

From$18.63
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$20.01
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$20.01
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...

From$20.63
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.
Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', commonly known as the Prostrate Juniper, is a ground-hugging conifer that forms a carpet of blue-green, needle-like...

From$34.43
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...

From$18.63
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' plants with fine and elegant, blue foliage.
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter', commonly known as Pinatoro or the NZ Daphne plant, is a mat-forming, NZ native, ground cover plant. It has small...

From$23.39
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$20.01
helichrysum-petiolare--3
Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) is a popular evergreen plant valued for its soft silver foliage and trailing growth habit. The attractive...

From$24.77
Westringia Low Horizon with lush grey foliage as a groundcover plant.
Westringia Low Horizon

Westringia 'Low Horizon' is a variety of the commonly known Coastal Rosemary, and is a fast-growing shrub. It features narrow grey-green leaves held...

From$20.63
Westringia 'Mundi' with lush green-grey foliage and white flowers in a pot.
Westringia Mundi

Westringia 'Mundi' is a variety of the commonly known Coastal Rosemary, and is grown for its lovely foliage and great form. It grows as a spreading...

From$20.63
Coprosma acerosa growing on a sand dune.
Coprosma acerosa

Coprosma acerosa, also known as Sand Coprosma or Tātaraheke, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover well-suited to exposed and coastal...

From$7.50
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$16.95
vinca-elizabeth-cran-1
Vinca Elizabeth Cran

Vinca Elizabeth Cran is a variety of the commonly known, Lesser Periwinkle, features small, dark green leaves which are held densely on stems that...

From$20.01
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$20.01
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Lockwood de Forest' plants trailing over a wall.
Rosmarinus 'Lockwood de Forest' (Creeping Rosemary)

Rosemary 'Lockwood de Forest' is a creeping or prostrate variety of Rosemary that features petite, blue flowers through winter and spring. These are...

From$22.01
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$14.95
Ajuga 'Pink Elf' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery featuring with elegant spikes carrying pink flowers.
Ajuga 'Pink Elf'

Ajuga 'Pink Elf' is a charming ground cover that brings soft pink flower spikes and compact, vibrant foliage to NZ gardens. This petite and hardy...

From$18.63
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$22.01
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose Flower Carpet Gold is a popular ground cover rose that features masses of showy, yellow flowers. Flowering begins in spring and will continue...

From$34.43
rose-flower-carpet-scarlet-
Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.81
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$21.39
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$26.91
aechmea-fasciata-
Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)

Aechmea fasciata is a colourful Bromeliad that features thick and leathery leaves that are striped with silver and dark green. They are borne as a...

From$44.09
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$33.05
sansevieria-hahnii-
Sansevieria Hahnii (Bird's Nest Snake Plant)

Sansevieria Hahnii, commonly known as the Dwarf Snake Plant or Serpent Plant, is a very popular indoor plant. It features upright and fleshy leaves...

From$38.57
A Spearmint plant with lush, green leaves.
Mint Plant

Mint Plant (Spearmint) is a popular herb grown for its fresh fragrant leaves and versatile use in cooking drinks and home remedies. Well suited to...

From$16.49
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$499.80
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aechmea, Ajuga, Carex, Chlorophytum, Coprosma, Gardenia, Helichrysum, Isotoma, Juniperus, Mint, Muehlenbeckia, Pimelea, Pratia, Rose, Rosmarinus, Sansevieria, Sedum, Selliera, Stromanthe Vinca and Westringia, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials Carpet Roses and Succulents.

Search ground cover plants for walkways

Why Choose Ground Cover Plants for Walkways?

Ground cover plants for walkways provide practical solutions for busy garden areas. These plants suppress weeds, prevent soil erosion, and soften hard edges of paving or gravel, blending functional spaces with natural beauty. Many varieties tolerate foot traffic, making them ideal for pathway borders and stepping stone gaps. Selecting ground covers also reduces maintenance, as they often require less mowing and watering than traditional lawn.

Popular Ground Cover Plants for Walkways

Ajuga reptans variegata

Known for its striking foliage and adaptability, Ajuga reptans variegata delivers vibrant ground coverage that handles partial shade and moderate foot traffic. The variegated leaves offer both texture and colour, making this plant ideal for walkway edges or between pavers.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

With glossy, creamy-edged leaves, Coprosma kirkii 'variegata' brings year-round interest to garden paths. This New Zealand native is tough and tolerant, thriving in most conditions and offering a neat, low-growing form that won’t intrude on foot traffic.

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty'

For a deeper flush of colour, Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' features lush, dark foliage and striking blue flower spikes in spring to early summer. Its spreading habit quickly fills gaps along walkways, creating a rich, inviting scene.

Isotoma fluviatilis

Delicate and dense, Isotoma fluviatilis is a favourite for covering shaded walkway areas. Tiny blue flowers add charm during warmer months, while its carpet-like growth withstands moderate use and resists weeds.

Pratia angulata

If you want a native alternative for lawn substitute and pathway coverage, Pratia angulata is perfect. This tiny-leaved ground cover produces white star-shaped flowers and creates a soft, mossy look between stepping stones or bordering paths.

Planting and Caring for Ground Cover Plants

To ensure your ground cover plants for walkways thrive, select varieties suited to your soil and light conditions. Most ground covers are best planted in well-draining soil. Keep young plants watered as they establish and fertilise sparingly. Prune or divide as needed to maintain shape and encourage dense growth, especially around walkways where spreading is desirable. Mulching around newly planted ground covers helps suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Transform Your Walkways Today

Ground cover plants for walkways in New Zealand gardens reward you with beauty, practicality, and easy care. From vibrant ajugas to native options like pratia, you’ll find lasting solutions for every garden path. Browse our range of ground cover plants to find the perfect match for your outdoor spaces and create walkways that invite you to linger and explore.


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.

Aesculus 'Briotii' and Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi) are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm), Miscanthus 'Zebrinus', and Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

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