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low ground cover plants nz

Looking for low ground cover plants NZ gardeners love for effortless, year-round beauty? Low-growing ground cover plants are ideal for creating lush, weed-suppressing carpets, filling awkward spaces, softening borders, and adding texture to your outdoor spaces. If you’re after easy-care options to enrich your garden, there are many hardy and attractive varieties perfect for New Zealand conditions.

Carpodetus serratus prostrata plant with horizontal stems and marbled leaves.

Carpodetus serratus prostrata

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Carpodetus serratus prostrata, commonly known as prostrate Marble Leaf or prostrate Putaputaweta, is a low-growing, NZ native shrub that is often used as a groundcover. Its spreading and somewhat tangled branches carry small leaves which are variegated green and lime green as it grows to 50 cm tall and 1 m wide. Carpodetus serratus prostrata is ideal for planting around the base of larger trees and shrubs, as a groundcover on damp sites, or for inclusion in border plantings.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy, Shade, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Ground covering, Paths & Steps, Ponds
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Rock
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 warmer months. This hardy plant performs exceptionally well in New Zealand gardens, especially in coastal and exposed sites. It is ideal for gardeners wanting a reliable low maintenance ground cover with colour. Selliera 'Sundrops' spreads neatly to suppress weeds while adding brightness and texture to garden spaces.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 10 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Wet
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
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
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
rubus-pentalobus-2
Rubus pentalobus (Creeping Raspberry)

Rubus pentalobus is a hardy, low growing groundcover known for its attractive textured foliage, small white flowers, and bright red berries. This...

From$35.81
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
Grevillea prostrata 'Aurea' yellow flower.
Grevillea prostrata Aurea

Grevillea 'Prostrata Aurea' is a low growing evergreen shrub admired for its finely divided foliage and masses of golden yellow spider flowers that...

From$28.91
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
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
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$18.95
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
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
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
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
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
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
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
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$18.95
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
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
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
Acaena novae-zelandiae colourful foliage.
Acaena novae-zelandiae (Piripiri)

Acaena novae-zelandiae is a hardy NZ native groundcover commonly known as Bidgee Widgee. It is admired for its fine green foliage and small burr like...

From$9.95
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
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
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$19.95
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$17.87
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
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
sorbus-scarlet-king-
Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$387.55
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
A large Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) in a garden with lush, green leaves.
Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese or Fruit Salad Plant, is a popular indoor tropical plant loved for its striking, holey leaves and...

From$44.09
Carpodetus serratus prostrata

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carpodetus, Coprosma, and Gardenia, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants.

Search low ground cover plants nz

Why Choose Low Ground Cover Plants in NZ?

Low ground cover plants are a smart choice for home gardens, lifestyle blocks, and landscaping projects. They not only deliver visual appeal but also help with weed suppression, moisture retention, and soil protection. Their height makes them perfect for planting beneath trees, alongside paths, between paving stones, or on banks to reduce erosion. Low maintenance requirements mean these plants are perfect for both busy households and keen landscapers wanting to cut down on chores.

Top Picks for Low Ground Cover Plants in New Zealand

Browse our collection of outstanding low ground cover plants NZ gardeners recommend for diverse conditions:

Design Inspiration for Low Ground Cover Plants

Low ground cover plants NZ-wide suit numerous landscaping situations. Plant them as “living mulch” under shrubs and trees, weave them throughout rockeries, or cascade them over retaining walls for low-maintenance drama. Interplanting several species can provide a tapestry of different textures, leaf shapes, and seasonal interest. For tough spots like driveways or beneath established trees, try mixing hardy natives like Selliera 'Sundrops' and Coprosma 'Flat Freddy'.

Shop NZ’s Best Low Ground Cover Plants

From resilient native species to vibrant creepers and modern architectural varieties, New Zealand gardeners can select the perfect low ground cover plants for every climate and design style. Explore our full range, including top choices like Scleranthus biflorous, Isotoma fluviatilis, and more to transform your garden into a beautiful, easy-care sanctuary.


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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.

Our most famous blooms include Griselinia 'Broadway Mint' and Rosmarinus prostratus (Creeping Rosemary), but some of our best-kept secrets are Dypsis baronii, Hoya pubicalyx 'Red Button', and Loropetalum 'Fire Dance' — underrated beauties ready to shine.
–The Plant Company

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