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

plants for a sloped bank

Landscaping a sloped bank can feel like a challenge, but with the right plant choices, you can transform even the steepest hillside into a stunning, low-maintenance feature. Using well-chosen plants for a sloped bank not only helps prevent erosion and improve soil stability, but also brings year-round beauty and encourages biodiversity in your garden. Whether you’re dealing with a sun-soaked slope or a tricky shady bank, a selection of hardy, deeply rooting and spreading varieties will help to hold the soil and create an attractive living carpet.

Coprosma kirkii green foliage held on yellow stems.

Coprosma kirkii

5 from 3 customers

Coprosma kirkii, commonly known as Creeping Coprosma, is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub valued for its dense, trailing habit and small glossy green leaves. This evergreen plant spreads across the ground, suppressing weeds and providing year round greenery.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Shade, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.

Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

5 from 1 customers

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal environments, it performs exceptionally well in exposed sites and challenging conditions.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 75 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Parks, Paths & Steps, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Rock
Hedera 'Golden Ingot' plant with green and yellow foliage.
Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

Hedera helix ‘Golden Ingot’ is a striking evergreen ivy admired for its bright golden-yellow foliage edged with soft green tones. This compact and...

From$17.95
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$17.95
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$20.01
coprosma-repens-green-rocks-
Coprosma 'Green Rocks'

Coprosma 'Green Rocks' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its dense compact growth habit and fresh green glossy foliage. This attractive New...

From$17.95
juniperus-conferta-2
Juniperus conferta

Juniperus conferta, commonly known as Shore Juniper, is a hardy evergreen conifer valued for its dense, spreading habit and fresh green foliage. It...

From$192.51
Cerastium tomentosum ground cover with grey foliage and elegant white flowers.
Cerastium tomentosum

Cerastium tomentosum is an herbaceous perennial featuring tiny, white, star shaped flowers through spring and summer. These are complemented with...

From$18.63
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$16.95
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
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green...

From$20.63
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
Grevillea 'Ignite' plant.
Grevillea Ignite (Ignite Grevillea)

Grevillea Ignite, commonly known as Spider Flower, is a fast growing, dense shrub which is grown for its spikes of exquisite, bright red and yellow...

From$24.95
hebe-buxifolia-
Hebe buxifolia (Boxleaf Hebe)

Hebe buxifolia is a NZ native shrub with glossy leaves that are green with yellow edges. These are adorned by masses of fragrant and showy, white...

From$22.01
Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.
Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

From$11.50
cotoneaster-dammeri--1
Cotoneaster dammeri

Cotoneaster dammeri (Bearberry Cotoneaster) is a low growing evergreen shrub valued for its spreading habit, glossy green foliage, and seasonal...

From$24.77
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Chrysopogon zizanioides grass plants growing alongside a stream.
Chrysopogon zizanioides

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver Grass) is a hardy, evergreen clump forming grass renowned for its deep root system, attractive upright foliage, and...

From$20.63
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$19.25
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$7.50
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' pink flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha'

Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' is a popular evergreen groundcover shrub admired for its dense, spreading habit and masses of pink and cream...

From$24.95
An elegant Dietes 'Lemon Drops' flower.
Dietes 'Lemon Drops'

Dietes 'Lemon Drops' is a variety of Iris that produces exquisite white flowers that have three distinct, yellow spots. These are made on slender...

From$17.87
Grevillea 'Aussie Crawl' plant with pink flowers and colourful foliage.
Grevillea Aussie Crawl

Grevillea 'Aussie Crawl' is a hardy evergreen groundcover valued for its dense spreading habit, attractive finely divided foliage, and masses of...

From$24.95
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.
Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.25
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' is a low growing ground cover rose that delivers a bright display of golden yellow blooms across a long flowering season...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' stunning pink flowers.
Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' is a low growing ground cover rose loved for its masses of clear pink flowers, spreading habit, and dependable garden...

From$34.43
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading...

From$33.81
Juncus effusus plants growing in water.
Juncus effusus (Soft Rush Plant)

Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) is an eye catching rush valued for its distinctive twisting green stems, compact clumping habit, and strong...

From$16.49
zamioculcas-black-knight-
Zamioculcas Black Knight (Zamioculcas Plant)

Zamioculcas Black Knight is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

From$41.33
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$6.90
Coprosma kirkii

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Cerastium, and Coprosma, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Groundcover Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search plants for a sloped bank

Why Choose Plants for a Sloped Bank

Steep banks are prone to erosion, especially during periods of heavy rain. The best plants for a sloped bank have extensive root systems that anchor the soil, reducing runoff and weed growth. Dense groundcovers, sedges, grasses, and prostrate shrubs provide practical solutions for tricky areas and require less maintenance than regular lawns or bark mulch.

Top Groundcover Options for Erosion Control

One of the best ways to stabilise a bank is by planting fast-spreading groundcovers. For a traffic-stopping display of ruby red foliage with cascading growth, Grevillea 'Royal Mantle' is a standout choice. This native Australian groundcover forms a dense mat, smothering weeds while tolerating poor soils and dry conditions.

Another excellent option is Coprosma prostrata, a New Zealand native with tiny evergreen leaves and a prostrate habit. It not only knits together loose soils but also withstands wind and salt spray, making it a popular choice for coastal banks.

Grasses and Vines for Stability

Deep-rooted grasses are superb for holding soil on a sloped bank. Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver) has an extraordinary root structure that grows vertically to stabilise steep soil. Vetiver thrives in a variety of conditions and works particularly well on banks next to driveways or waterways, where erosion risk is highest.

For a lower-growing and highly ornamental option, Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine) forms a dense, wiry carpet with chocolate stems and small, glossy leaves. It slips between rocks and creates a natural, softening effect on retaining walls.

Unique Native Choices

If you’re seeking a groundcover with a difference, Carpodetus serratus prostrata offers graceful, wiry stems and masses of tiny, attractive leaves, making it an excellent New Zealand native for stabilising shady or semi-shaded banks.

Getting the Best Results

When planting a sloped bank, prepare the soil by removing weeds and working in compost. Plant densely, allowing groundcovers to knit together quickly. Water new plantings regularly until established, especially during dry spells, and mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

By choosing resilient, spreading varieties like Grevillea 'Royal Mantle', Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver), and Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine), you’ll have a thriving, attractive solution for your sloped bank that protects your landscape for years to come. Explore our full range to find the perfect plants for a sloped bank and achieve a lush, stable garden feature.


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

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

466 Google reviews