Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

lilac ground cover plants

Lilac ground cover plants bring a soft, whimsical touch to garden beds, borders, and even shaded corners, brightening the landscape with their calming pastel hues and delightful textures. Whether you're creating a seamless carpet under trees or adding interest along pathways, lilac ground covers offer a harmonious blend of colour and easy-care versatility, perfect for both beginner and experienced New Zealand gardeners. If you’re searching for enchanting ground cover options with lilac tones, you’ll find selections that thrive in a variety of conditions, all while supressing weeds and adding lasting beauty to your outdoor spaces.

Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.

Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is complemented with flower spikes in summer, which bear tiny, lilac flowers as it grows to 20 cm tall and 30 cm wide. Ophiopogon planiscapus is best showcased in mass plantings and is commonly added to rock gardens, used in borders, grown as a ground cover, planted around outdoor living areas, or simply maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
westringia-lilac-and-lace-2

Westringia Lilac and Lace

Westringia Lilac and Lace is a variety of the commonly known, Coastal Rosemary, and is a fast-growing, bushy shrub. It has fine and narrow leaves which are variegated cream and dark green and produces small and dainty, lilac-coloured flowers from late winter through until summer as it grows to 1.5 m tall and the same wide. Westringia Lilac and Lace is commonly included in a mixed planting, maintained in a container, included in coastal gardens, trimmed into a low hedge, or mass planted for an amazing display.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' stunning light blue flowers,

Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac'

Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' is an attractive evergreen perennial valued for its soft lilac purple flowers and tidy clumping habit. This reliable...

From$20.18
azalea-autumn-lilac-1

Azalea 'Autumn Lilac'

Azalea 'Autumn Lilac' is a stunning evergreen shrub known for its soft lilac purple blooms that appear across multiple seasons. It brings gentle...

From$26.93
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
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$19.58
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$21.53
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
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
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
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$20.18
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
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
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
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
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...

From$17.48
pimelea-mimosa--1

Pimelea mimosa

Pimelea mimosa is a mat forming, NZ native, ground covering plant. It has soft, blue-grey leaves which are held on stems that tend to climb over...

From$23.63
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$18.23
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
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$20.18
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
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
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
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$33.68
Ajuga 'Port Wine' plant in a pot for sale at The Plant Company.

Ajuga 'Port Wine'

Ajuga 'Port Wine' brings deep wine coloured foliage and vivid blue flower spikes to NZ gardens, creating a rich tapestry of colour in shaded and semi...

From$18.23
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$43.13
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$18.23
A lush Coprosma repens shrub growing in a shaded position.

Coprosma repens (Mirror Plant)

Coprosma repens, also known as Taupata or Mirror Plant, is a robust New Zealand native shrub featuring lush, glossy green foliage. Growing up to 3...

From$21.53
A strong and studry planting spade.

Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$158.00
pb-8-planter-bags-1

PB8 Planter Bags (Potting Bags For Plants)

These PB8 planter bags are 125 microns thick and hold 4.5 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for handling...

From$43.44
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-

Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$7.50
Moss pole for plants.

Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.53
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aechmea, Agapanthus, Ajuga, Azalea, Bergenia, Chlorophytum, Coprosma, Gardenia, Helichrysum, Isotoma, Juniperus, Muehlenbeckia, Ophiopogon, Pimelea, Pratia, Sedum, Selliera, Stromanthe Vinca and Westringia, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Acid Loving Plants, Moss Poles, Planter Bags, Spades, Mondo Grass, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Azaleas Evergreen Shrubs and Succulents.

Search lilac ground cover plants

Why Choose Lilac Ground Cover Plants?

Choosing lilac ground cover plants is more than just a colour preference—these graceful plants create a peaceful, cohesive look across your garden. Their cool-toned hues are ideal for softening hard lines, reflecting light in shadier spots, and forming a backdrop that makes other blooms pop. Many lilac-flowering varieties are also drought-resistant or evergreen, making them a year-round asset for low-maintenance gardens.

Top Varieties of Lilac Ground Cover Plants

Looking for the perfect lilac ground cover? While true ground-hugging, lilac-blooming plants are rare, there are several gorgeous options that showcase lilac foliage or flowers close to ground level:

How to Use Lilac Ground Cover Plants in Your Garden

Lilac ground cover plants have multiple garden uses. Plant them as living mulch under trees or tall shrubs to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. Layer them along pathways for a lush, textural transition between hard surfaces and larger perennial beds. Mass-planting varieties like Ophiopogon Black Dragon or Westringia Lilac and Lace can create dramatic sweeps of colour, while the unique tones of Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' brighten sunny borders.

Caring for Your Lilac Ground Cover Plants

Most lilac ground cover plants thrive with minimal attention. Ensure they’re planted in well-drained soil, and water them regularly during their establishing year. Apply organic mulch to maintain steady soil moisture, and prune spreading varieties in late winter to keep growth dense and healthy. In New Zealand’s variable climate, most of these options perform well in coastal or inland gardens with just a little extra care.

By choosing lilac ground cover plants, you’ll create serene, inviting spaces that flourish year after year. Explore our range of unique and colourful options to discover just the right hue and growth habit for your garden’s style and needs.


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.

Ficus Tuffi and Coprosma acerosa are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo), Ajuga 'Port Wine', and Feijoa 'Opal Star' that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews