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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$16.95
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$16.95
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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
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
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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
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Geranium Tiny Monster (Cranesbill Geranium)

Geranium Tiny Monster features lush, mid-green foliage which becomes adorned with masses of small, magenta-pink flowers through summer and autumn...

From$22.01
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$12.95
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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
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Scutellaria Snowflakes (Scutellaria Skullcap)

Scutellaria Snowflakes, commonly known as Scutellaria Skullcap or the Skullcaps plant, is grown for its foliage and flowers. This versatile and...

From$12.95
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
Fuchsia procumbens plant growing across the ground with green foliage and yellow-green flowers.
Fuchsia procumbens (Creeping Fuchsia)

Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as Creeping Fuchsia, is a low-growing, NZ native plant valued for its unique yellow-red flowers and ornamental...

From$14.50
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
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Vinca 'Elizabeth Cran'

Vinca 'Elizabeth Cran' is an attractive evergreen perennial valued for its rich green foliage, spreading habit, and colourful seasonal flowers. Its...

From$20.01
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
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$14.95
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$34.95
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
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
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Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
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
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
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Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$44.09
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
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PB2 Planter Bags (Plastic Plant Bags)

These PB2 planter bags are 80 microns thick and hold 1.2 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for handling...

From$20.54
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PB18 Planter Bags (Grow Plant Bags)

These PB18 planter bags are 125 microns thick and each bag holds 10 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$77.47
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PB¾ Planter Bags (Planting Bags)

The PB ¾ Planter Bags are 80 microns thick and ags hold 0.5 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$15.47
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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$51.69
Coprosma kirkii

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Coprosma, Geranium, and Grevillea, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Groundcover Plants, and Perennials.

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

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