Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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list ground cover plants

Searching for a comprehensive list ground cover plants to transform your garden? Ground covers are essential for landscaping, offering solutions for erosion control, weed suppression, and beautiful foliage or flowers. Whether you're tackling a sloped bank, seeking greenery between stones, or creating a lush tapestry for shady corners, we've curated a list of reliable ground cover plants suited to New Zealand conditions. Explore our expert recommendations and discover the perfect varieties for sun, shade, and everything in between.

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. Thriving in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, it tolerates drought, wind, and coastal conditions once established. Its low-growing habit, adaptability, and resilience make it a popular, low-maintenance option for a wide range of garden settings.

Buy Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

From $20.18

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

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.

Buy Ajuga reptans variegata

From $17.48

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

Why Choose Ground Cover Plants?

Ground cover plants play a crucial role in New Zealand gardens. They help fill bare spots, protect soil, and add visual interest beneath trees, along pathways, or in tricky patches where grass struggles. Many varieties are hardy, low-maintenance, and provide year-round appeal with their foliage, flowers, or berries. Incorporating ground cover plants can also foster biodiversity and improve overall garden health.

Top List Ground Cover Plants for NZ Gardens

If you're looking for dependable options, start with these proven ground cover plants:

Evergreen Ground Covers

Grevillea Bronze Rambler (Groundcover Grevillea): Vigorous and drought-tolerant, this Grevillea forms a dense mat of finely divided foliage and produces showy red flowers from late winter into spring, attracting nectar-loving birds.
Grevillea Gaudichaudii (Grevillea x gaudichaudii): Another Australian native, ideal for sunny banks and rocky areas. Its sprawling stems display spidery crimson blooms and create a striking foliage carpet.

Colourful Foliage Ground Covers

Ajuga reptans variegata: This hardy perennial adds year-round colour with its purple and cream variegated leaves, complemented by blue flower spikes in spring. Ajuga thrives in moist, shaded areas and spreads readily without becoming invasive.

Hardy Native Ground Covers

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine): Perfectly suited for New Zealand gardens, this native forms a network of wiry stems and small round leaves, creating a unique texture. It's ideal for ground cover beneath shrubs, along rockeries, or spilling over walls.

Flowering Ground Covers

Vinca Elizabeth Cran: Known for persistent glossy foliage and abundant violet flowers, Vinca thrives in shady spots and provides reliable cover for difficult garden spaces.

How to Plant Ground Cover Plants

Ground covers should be spaced according to their growth habit—often closer for rapid coverage. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and adding compost. Water regularly until plants are established, then enjoy the benefits of low-maintenance greenery that enriches your garden’s beauty and resilience.

Explore More Ground Cover Solutions

This list ground cover plants covers a range of species ideal for New Zealand climates, from native beauties like Muehlenbeckia to versatile imports such as Grevillea and Ajuga. With the right selection, you can transform any area into a vibrant, living carpet. Browse our full range of Grevillea Bronze Rambler (Groundcover Grevillea), Grevillea Gaudichaudii (Grevillea x gaudichaudii), Ajuga reptans variegata, Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine), and Vinca Elizabeth Cran to discover ground cover plants that suit your style and site.

Ready to create a thriving, weed-free garden? Start with this curated list ground cover plants and enjoy the results for seasons to come.

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.