Groundcover plants are versatile, attractive, and perfect for adding lush colour to garden beds, pathways, and borders. From hardy natives to flowering creepers, these plants thrive in New Zealand conditions, offering easy care and reliable coverage. Discover practical tips and inspiration for choosing the best groundcover plants to suit your garden's needs.
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...
Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...
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...
Ajuga reptans, commonly known as Bugleweed, Common Bugle, or Carpet Bugle, forms a spreading mound of dark green leaves which often take on bronze...
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...
Carpodetus serratus prostrata, commonly known as prostrate Marble Leaf or prostrate Putaputaweta, is a low-growing, NZ native shrub that is often...
Cerastium tomentosum is an herbaceous perennial featuring tiny, white, star shaped flowers through spring and summer. These are complemented with...
Coprosma acerosa, also known as Sand Coprosma or Tātaraheke, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover well-suited to exposed and coastal...
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its deep near black foliage and compact growth habit. Well suited to New Zealand...
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' is a unique ground covering evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate brown foliage and naturally spreading form. Well...
Coprosma 'Green Rocks' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its dense compact growth habit and fresh green glossy foliage. This attractive New...
Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma) is a hardy New Zealand native shrub valued for its fine foliage and excellent tolerance to coastal conditions. The...
Coprosma kirkii, commonly known as Creeping Coprosma, is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub valued for its dense, trailing habit and small glossy...
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...
Coprosma 'Poor Knights' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy lime green foliage and compact rounded habit. This NZ native selection...
Correa 'Dusky Bells' is a compact evergreen shrub known for its attractive dusky pink bell shaped flowers and soft grey green foliage. It brings year...
Correa 'Limelight' (Australian Fuchsia) is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its soft green foliage and lime tinged creamy flowers that appear over a...
Cotoneaster dammeri (Bearberry Cotoneaster) is a low growing evergreen shrub valued for its spreading habit, glossy green foliage, and seasonal...
Dymondia margaretae (Silver Carpet) is a hardy low growing groundcover valued for its attractive silver green foliage and dense spreading habit. This...
Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as Creeping Fuchsia, is a low-growing, NZ native plant valued for its unique yellow-red flowers and ornamental...
Gardenia radicans is a compact, low-growing shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers. Blooming from late spring...
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' is a popular evergreen groundcover shrub admired for its dense, spreading habit and masses of pink and cream...
Grevillea 'Prostrata Aurea' is a low growing evergreen shrub admired for its finely divided foliage and masses of golden yellow spider flowers that...
Groundcover plants are ideal for transforming bare soil into vibrant, living carpets. These low-growing varieties play a key role in preventing erosion, suppressing weeds, and creating visual appeal in difficult spaces. From sunny slopes to shaded underplanting, groundcover plants adapt to a wide range of environments. Many selections require minimal maintenance, making them a favourite for both beginner and experienced gardeners in NZ.
If you are searching for fast-spreading options, consider native species like Pratia angulata. This delicate creeper features pretty blue-white flowers and thrives in moist, shaded borders. For tougher spots, Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine) offers remarkable resilience, covering rocky areas with wiry stems and tiny leaves.
Selecting the right groundcover plants depends on your site’s sunlight, moisture, and soil type. Flowering groundcovers, such as Gardenia radicans or Ajuga 'Catlins Giant', provide seasonal colour along walkways and garden edges. If you require evergreen foliage coverage, native options are uniquely adapted to local conditions and deliver year-round interest.
Not sure where to start? Our plant finder tool helps you browse the best groundcover selections for your location and garden style. Discover plants with specific traits, sizes, or functions that suit every corner—from sun-drenched terraces to damp woodland patches. For more detailed care advice or propagation tips, explore our expert gardening advice articles written by local nursery specialists.
Groundcover plants can be used creatively in lawns, beneath trees, between paving stones, or as bold feature plantings. Mix textures and colours to achieve natural-looking coverage and highlight garden focal points. Consider blending two or three varieties for a dynamic, layered effect that supports both biodiversity and low-maintenance gardening. Whether you need to fill gaps or create living mulch, groundcover plants provide beauty and functionality in NZ landscapes.
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.
