Are you struggling with unsightly soil erosion on your property? Ground covers are the unsung heroes of landscaping. They can save your soil and beautify your yard at the same time.
These hardy plants spread horizontally rather than vertically, creating a living carpet that holds soil in place while requiring minimal maintenance.
When heavy rain, wind, or flowing water threatens to wash away your precious topsoil, the right ground cover plants create a natural defense system with their intertwining root structures.
And the best part? Many of these plants stay green year-round, providing constant protection and visual appeal no matter the season.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping phlox creates a stunning carpet of star-shaped flowers in spring that transitions to evergreen foliage for the rest of the year. This hardy ground cover thrives in zones 3 to 9 and grows just 3 to 6 inches tall while spreading up to 2 feet wide.
Its dense mat of fine roots excels at gripping soil on slopes and hillsides. The plant prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Once established, creeping phlox becomes drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance beyond an occasional trimming to maintain its shape.
Its ability to cascade over walls or rocks makes it perfect for erosion control in decorative landscape features.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy offers year-round protection with its glossy, deep green leaves that form a dense ground cover in shady areas. This vigorous grower can spread up to 50 feet if left unchecked, making it excellent for large-scale erosion control projects.
Its strong, clinging roots firmly anchor soil even on steep inclines. This adaptable plant thrives in zones 4 to 9 and performs best in rich, moist soil with good drainage.
Once established, English ivy requires minimal care, though regular trimming prevents it from climbing trees or structures. Its shade tolerance makes it ideal for erosion control under large trees where grass struggles to grow.
Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)
Pachysandra creates a lush carpet of evergreen foliage that effectively prevents soil erosion in shady locations. This slow-growing plant reaches 6 to 12 inches in height and spreads through underground runners to form dense colonies.
Its extensive root system excellently stabilizes soil on slopes and hillsides. Also known as Japanese spurge, pachysandra thrives in zones 4 to 8 and prefers rich, slightly acidic soil with consistent moisture.
It's particularly valuable for erosion control in woodland or beneath large trees. Once established, pachysandra requires little maintenance and stays attractive year-round with minimal care.
Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Vinca minor combines pretty blue-purple flowers with glossy evergreen foliage that effectively controls erosion. This tough ground cover grows 4 to 6 inches tall and spreads indefinitely through trailing stems that root wherever they touch soil.
Its dense growth habit effectively prevents soil washout. Thriving in zones 4-9, Vinca minor adapts to various soil conditions and tolerates everything from full sun to deep shade.
Once established, the plant's drought tolerance makes it excellent for low-maintenance erosion control on banks and slopes. Its early spring blooms add seasonal interest, while its foliage remains attractive year-round.
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
Cotoneaster creates a dramatic erosion control solution with its distinctive herringbone pattern of branches covered in small, round leaves. This woody ground cover grows 2 to 3 feet tall and spreads up to 8 feet wide.
Its extensive root system firmly anchors soil on slopes and embankments. This versatile plant thrives in zones 5 to 7 and produces white flowers in spring, followed by bright red berries that persist through winter.
Cotoneaster prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Its ability to tolerate poor soil conditions makes it ideal for challenging erosion-prone sites where other plants might struggle.
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping juniper offers exceptional erosion control with its dense, low-growing evergreen foliage, which forms a virtually impenetrable ground cover. This coniferous plant grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads 6 to 8 feet wide.
Its extensive root system excels at stabilizing soil on slopes and hillsides. This drought-tolerant ground cover thrives in zones 3 to 9 and performs best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Once established, creeping juniper requires almost no maintenance and maintains its attractive blue-green or gray-green foliage year-round. Its ability to thrive in poor soil makes it perfect for erosion control in challenging sites.
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga creates a dense mat of colorful foliage that effectively prevents soil erosion while adding visual interest to the landscape. This fast-spreading ground cover grows 3 to 6 inches tall and produces striking blue flower spikes in spring.
Its tight growth habit leaves little room for soil to wash away between plants. Thriving in zones 3 to 10, ajuga performs well in part shade to full shade and adapts to various soil conditions. The plant spreads quickly through runners, filling in bare areas prone to erosion.
Its colorful foliage varieties, including burgundy, chocolate, and variegated forms, make it an attractive solution for erosion-prone areas that need a decorative touch.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearberry offers exceptional erosion control with its dense, spreading growth habit and extensive root system that firmly anchors soil. This native ground cover grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads 3 to 6 feet wide with leathery evergreen leaves that turn bronze-red in winter.
Its adaptability to poor, sandy soils makes it ideal for erosion-prone sites. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in zones 2 to 6 and produces small white or pink flowers in spring, followed by bright red berries.
Bearberry requires full sun to light shade and well-drained, acidic soil. Its ability to thrive in harsh conditions makes it perfect for erosion control in challenging environments like coastal areas and sandy slopes.
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Mondo grass creates a dense, grass-like ground cover that effectively prevents soil erosion with its fibrous root system. This evergreen plant grows 6-12 inches tall and spreads slowly to form solid colonies.
Its slender, arching leaves create a textural carpet that's both functional and attractive. In zones 6 to 10, mondo grass performs best in partial to full shade and rich, moist soil. In summer, it produces inconspicuous white or lavender flowers, followed by blue-black berries.
The plant's shade tolerance makes it ideal for erosion control under trees or in woodland settings where many other ground covers might struggle.
Sedum (Stonecrop)
With its drought-tolerant nature and spreading growth habit, Sedum provides exceptional erosion control for sunny, dry slopes. This succulent ground cover has numerous varieties, ranging from 2 to 24 inches tall, with diverse foliage colors.
Its shallow but extensive root system effectively holds soil in place. In zones 3 to 9, sedum performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. Many varieties produce attractive flower clusters in summer that attract pollinators.
The plant's ability to store water in its fleshy leaves makes it remarkably drought-resistant, perfect for erosion control in hot, dry sites where irrigation is limited or unavailable.
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
Wintercreeper creates a dense evergreen ground cover that effectively prevents soil erosion on slopes and banks. This versatile plant grows 6 to 18 inches tall as a ground cover while spreading indefinitely through trailing stems that root where they touch the soil.
Its extensive root system firmly anchors the soil in place. Available in various foliage colors, including green, variegated, and purple-tinged varieties, wintercreeper thrives in zones 5 to 9.
It adapts to sun, shade, and various soil conditions, though it prefers moist, well-drained sites. The plant's year-round foliage ensures continuous erosion protection regardless of season.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping thyme creates a fragrant, flower-covered mat that effectively controls erosion while attracting pollinators. This low-growing herb reaches just 2 to 3 inches tall and spreads up to 24 inches wide.
Its dense growth habit and fine root system effectively barrier soil washout on gentle slopes. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in zones 4 to 9 and performs best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Creeping thyme produces abundant summer pink, purple, or white flowers that attract bees and butterflies. The aromatic foliage releases a pleasant scent when walked upon, making it ideal for erosion control along pathways.
Liriope (Liriope muscari)
With its clumping growth habit and fibrous root system, Liriope creates a tough, grass-like ground cover that effectively prevents soil erosion. This evergreen perennial grows 12 to 18 inches tall and gradually spreads to form dense colonies.
Its arching foliage provides year-round erosion protection. Also known as lilyturf, liriope thrives in zones 5 to 10 and adapts to sun or shade and various soil conditions.
It produces spikes of purple, lavender, or white flowers in late summer, followed by black berries. The plant's versatility and low maintenance requirements make it excellent for erosion control in various landscape settings.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet woodruff is a deciduous perennial that grows 8 to 12 inches tall and spreads through underground runners to form dense colonies. It is delicate-looking but adequate ground cover for erosion control in shady areas.
Its whorled leaves and starry white spring flowers create an attractive carpet while its root system stabilizes the soil. Thriving in zones 4 to 8, sweet woodruff performs best in partial to full shade and rich, moist soil.
The plant's dried leaves emit a pleasant vanilla-like fragrance, which has been historically used in potpourris and sachets. Its ability to thrive in difficult, shady conditions makes it valuable for erosion control in woodland settings.
Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Kinnikinnick provides outstanding erosion control with its dense, spreading growth habit and extensive root system that firmly anchors soil. This native evergreen ground cover grows 6 to 12 inches tall while spreading 3 to 15 feet wide.
Its leathery leaves and trailing stems create a living mat that prevents soil washout. Also known as bearberry, kinnikinnick thrives in zones 2 to 6. In spring, it produces small pink flowers, followed by bright red berries.
The plant performs best in full sun to light shade and well-drained, acidic soil. Once established, its exceptional cold hardiness and drought tolerance make it perfect for erosion control in challenging northern environments.
Choosing the Right Erosion-Fighting Ground Cover for Your Yard
Selecting the perfect ground cover depends on your specific site conditions, including sunlight, soil type, and moisture levels. For sunny, dry slopes, drought-tolerant options like sedum, creeping juniper, or bearberry offer the best performance.
Shadier areas benefit from pachysandra, vinca minor, or sweet woodruff, which thrive with less direct sunlight. When making your selection, consider your climate zone and maintenance preferences.
Most ground covers require regular watering during establishment, but become more self-sufficient after their root systems develop. Remember that combining several types of ground covers creates biodiversity that enhances erosion control and visual appeal in your landscape.