Erosion can quickly turn your beautiful landscape into a muddy mess. When rainwater washes away soil, it takes your garden dreams with it. Ground covers offer a practical solution by holding soil in place while adding beauty to challenging spots in your yard.
These low-growing plants create a living carpet that protects the soil from the elements. They spread their roots to anchor soil particles and slow down rushing water. And the best part? They look stunning while doing their erosion-fighting job.
1. Creeping Juniper: The Drought-Tolerant Problem Solver
Creeping juniper excels at controlling erosion on slopes and hillsides with its extensive root system that firmly grips the soil. This evergreen ground cover spreads horizontally rather than vertically, creating a dense mat that prevents soil from washing away during heavy rains.
Its blue-green foliage maintains its color year-round, adding consistent visual interest to your landscape. This juniper variety thrives in challenging conditions where other plants struggle to survive.
Once established, it requires minimal water, making it perfect for drought-prone areas or regions with watering restrictions. Its tough nature also means it can handle foot traffic, poor soil, and extreme temperatures without losing its erosion-fighting capabilities.
Creeping Juniper Varieties for Different Landscape Needs
Blue Rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii') offers silvery-blue foliage, creating a stunning contrast against darker plants or hardscape elements. This variety grows only 4 to 6 inches tall but spreads up to 8 feet wide, quickly covering problem areas on slopes.
Its dense growth habit effectively blocks weed growth while preventing soil erosion. For smaller spaces, consider Juniperus horizontalis 'Mother Lode' with its golden foliage that takes on coppery tones in winter.
Green Mound juniper provides a more traditional green color while still offering excellent erosion control. All varieties share the same low-maintenance qualities and erosion-fighting capabilities, making creeping juniper a top choice for problem slopes.
2. Creeping Phlox: Spring Color Explosion
Creeping phlox creates a stunning seasonal display while its shallow, fibrous root system effectively prevents soil erosion. This low-growing perennial forms a dense mat that covers the ground completely, leaving no bare soil exposed to rain or wind.
During spring, it produces a breathtaking carpet of flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, or white that can transform an ordinary slope into a showstopper. The plant's woody stems help stabilize soil on inclines where erosion typically occurs.
Its evergreen foliage continues to provide ground protection year-round, even after flowering ends. Creeping phlox works particularly well on gentle slopes and rock gardens, where its cascading growth habit can showcase its flowers.
Managing Creeping Phlox for Maximum Erosion Control
Proper planting is crucial for creeping phlox to establish effectively as an erosion control solution. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow room for spreading while providing initial coverage.
Water regularly during the first season to help roots establish, after which the plant becomes more drought-tolerant while maintaining its soil-holding abilities. Light shearing after flowering encourages denser growth and prevents the center from becoming too woody and sparse.
This maintenance step improves the plant's appearance and erosion control capabilities. Adding a light layer of mulch between young plants helps prevent soil loss until the phlox fills in completely, creating its living mulch effect.
3. Vinca Minor: The Shade-Loving Solution
Vinca minor, commonly called periwinkle, offers excellent erosion control in shady areas where many other ground covers struggle. Its extensive root system places soil on slopes and banks under trees or along north-facing areas.
The plant's glossy, dark green foliage creates a dense mat shielding the soil from rain impact year-round. This adaptable ground cover produces pretty blue-purple flowers in spring that add visual interest to otherwise challenging areas.
Its evergreen nature ensures continuous soil protection through all seasons, even in winter when erosion risk often increases. Vinca grows quickly to fill bare spots where soil might otherwise wash away.
Controlling Vinca's Vigorous Growth
Vinca's aggressive spreading habit makes it superb for erosion control, but requires thoughtful placement to prevent it from becoming invasive. Install physical barriers like landscape edging where you want to restrict its growth.
Regular trimming of runners that extend beyond your desired growing area helps maintain boundaries while keeping the plant dense and effective. In regions where Vinca is considered invasive, native alternatives with similar erosion control benefits should be considered.
However, in contained areas where spreading is desirable for maximum soil protection, few plants match Vinca's ability to stabilize soil in deep shade conditions quickly. Its low maintenance requirements make it practical for large-scale erosion control projects.
4. Sedum: Drought-Resistant Ground Cover
Sedum varieties offer outstanding erosion control for dry, sunny slopes where water conservation is important. Their succulent leaves store moisture, allowing them to thrive in harsh conditions while their shallow, fibrous roots spread quickly to hold soil in place.
Most sedum varieties stay under 6 inches tall but spread widely to create adequate ground coverage. Once established, these plants require minimal irrigation, making them sustainable choices for erosion control.
Their drought resistance means they continue holding soil even during dry periods when other plants might struggle. Many varieties, like Sedum spurium and Sedum album, form tight mats that do not expose soil to erosive forces.
Colorful Sedum Options for Erosion-Prone Areas
Dragon's Blood sedum (Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood') offers reddish-green foliage that turns deeper red in fall, creating visual interest while fighting erosion. Its star-shaped pink flowers attract pollinators during summer, adding ecological benefits to its erosion control capabilities.
This variety spreads quickly to fill bare areas where soil might otherwise wash away. For a golden option, consider Sedum acre 'Aureum', which has bright yellow flowers and chartreuse foliage.
The sesum album Coral Carpet provides white flowers and foliage that shifts from green to reddish-bronze in cool weather. All these varieties share the same tough, erosion-fighting qualities while offering different aesthetic options for your landscape design.
5. Liriope: The Versatile Border Plant
Liriope, sometimes called lilyturf, combines a grass-like appearance with exceptional erosion control capabilities. Its robust root system effectively holds soil on slopes while tolerating sun and shade conditions.
The plant forms dense clumps that prevent water from carrying away soil during heavy rains. This versatile ground cover produces spikes of purple or white flowers in late summer, followed by black berries that add visual interest.
Its arching foliage remains attractive year-round in mild climates, providing continuous soil protection. Liriope muscari and Liriope spicata are excellent choices for preventing erosion in different landscape settings.
Liriope Varieties for Specific Erosion Challenges
Liriope spicata spreads more aggressively through underground rhizomes, making it ideal for large erosion-prone areas that need quick coverage. Its ability to fill spaces rapidly helps stabilize soil before erosion occurs.
This variety works particularly well on banks and slopes where its spreading habit becomes an advantage rather than a concern. For more controlled growth, Liriope muscari offers clumping varieties that stay in bounds while providing excellent erosion control.
'Big Blue' features wider leaves and larger flower spikes, while 'Variegata' adds visual interest with white-striped foliage. Both stabilize soil effectively while allowing more predictable placement in designed landscapes where containing the plant's spread matters.
6. Mondo Grass: The Low-Profile Performer
Mondo grass creates a low, dense carpet that effectively prevents soil erosion while requiring minimal maintenance. Its fine-textured foliage grows just 4 to 6 inches tall but develops a thick root system that holds soil firmly in place.
This ground cover works well on gentle slopes and between stepping stones, where soil often washes away. Unlike some aggressive ground covers, mondo grass spreads slowly and stays where planted, making it suitable for designed landscapes.
It thrives in partial shade but tolerates full sun with adequate moisture, offering versatility for different erosion-prone areas. Its year-round green appearance ensures continuous soil protection regardless of season.
Black Mondo Grass for Dramatic Erosion Control
Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') provides the same erosion control benefits as its green counterpart, but with dramatic black foliage. This striking variety creates visual interest while holding soil in place.
Its unusual color makes it particularly effective when contrasted with lighter plants or hardscape elements. This specialty variety grows slightly slower than standard mondo grass but offers identical erosion control capabilities.
Its distinctive appearance allows you to create visually interesting erosion solutions rather than merely functional ones. The plant performs best in partial shade, perfect for erosion control under trees or on north-facing slopes.
7. Ajuga: Rapidly Spreading Ground Cover
Ajuga, commonly called bugleweed, quickly covers bare soil with its dense foliage and extensive root system. This fast-spreading ground cover forms a thick mat that prevents soil erosion even on relatively steep slopes.
Its ability to fill in quickly makes it ideal for areas needing immediate erosion control solutions. In spring, ajuga produces spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers that rise above the foliage, attracting pollinators while continuing to protect the soil.
Its evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves provide year-round coverage in most climates. Ajuga thrives in partial shade but tolerates full sun in cooler regions, making it versatile for different erosion-prone locations.
Colorful Ajuga Varieties for Problem Slopes
Ajuga 'Black Scallop' features unusually dark, glossy foliage, creating dramatic ground coverage while fighting erosion. Its near-black leaves form a striking backdrop for the bright blue flower spikes in spring.
This variety spreads quickly to stabilize soil on slopes and banks where erosion typically occurs. For brighter options, consider 'Burgundy Glow' with its tricolor foliage in cream, pink, and green, or 'Chocolate Chip' with its compact growth and brown-purple leaves.
All ajuga varieties share the same excellent erosion control properties while offering different aesthetic choices. Their rapid spread through runners ensures quick soil stabilization in problem areas.
8. Lamb's Ear: The Textural Solution
Lamb's ear prevents erosion with its dense growth habit and ability to thrive in poor soil conditions. Its thick, velvety leaves create a continuous ground cover that shields soil from rainfall impact, while its extensive root system helps hold soil particles in place.
This drought-tolerant perennial works particularly well on dry slopes where irrigation is limited. The plant's distinctive silvery-gray foliage adds unique textural interest to the landscape while performing its erosion control function.
Tall spikes of purple flowers attract pollinators during summer, adding ecological value. Lamb's ear tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil conditions that would challenge many other ground covers.
Lamb's Ear Maintenance for Long-Term Erosion Control
Removing flower stalks after blooming helps lamb's ear maintain dense foliage coverage for better erosion control. The flowering stems can sometimes flop over, creating bare spots where erosion might occur.
Cutting them back redirects the plant's energy into producing more low-growing, soil-protecting foliage. Proper spacing between plants in humid climates improves air circulation and reduces disease problems that could compromise the plant's erosion control capabilities.
Dividing older plants every few years maintains vigor and ensures consistent ground coverage. Despite these minor maintenance needs, lamb's ear remains one of the more carefree options for controlling erosion in challenging dry sites.
9. Ornamental Grasses for Slope Stabilization
Ornamental grasses combine deep root systems with dense top growth to prevent erosion on slopes and banks effectively. Their fibrous roots penetrate deeply into the soil, creating a natural anchor that holds the earth in place during heavy rains.
Many varieties form spreading clumps that quickly fill in bare areas where erosion might otherwise occur. These grasses add movement and texture to the landscape while performing their soil-stabilizing function.
Varieties like blue fescue, fountain grass, and switchgrass offer different heights and appearances while providing similar erosion control benefits. Their adaptability to other soil types makes them a versatile solution for various erosion challenges.
Selecting the Right Ornamental Grass for Your Erosion Control Needs
For smaller spaces or gentler slopes, compact varieties like blue fescue (Festuca glauca) provide erosion control without overwhelming the area. Their distinctive blue-gray foliage adds visual interest while their tight growth habit effectively shields the soil from rain impact.
These smaller grasses work well in residential settings where scale matters. Larger spaces benefit from taller varieties like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or fountain grass (Pennisetum) that combine impressive height with extensive root systems for maximum soil stabilization.
Native grass varieties often provide the best erosion control for your region while supporting local ecosystems. Their natural adaptation to local conditions ensures they'll thrive while protecting your soil.
10. Thyme: Fragrant Erosion Fighter
Creeping thyme varieties create a dense, low mat of foliage that effectively prevents soil erosion while releasing a pleasant fragrance when walked upon. Their shallow but extensive root systems bind soil particles together, preventing them from washing away during rainfall.
These drought-tolerant plants thrive in poor soil conditions where many other options would fail. During summer, tiny pink, purple, or white flowers cover the plants, attracting beneficial insects while continuing to protect the soil beneath.
Different varieties offer varying heights, spreading rates, and flower colors while providing similar erosion control benefits. Creeping thyme works particularly well on sunny slopes, rock gardens, and between stepping stones.
Thyme Varieties for Specific Landscape Challenges
Woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) features tiny gray-green leaves covered in fine hairs, creating a soft, carpet-like appearance. This extremely low-growing variety (just 1 to 2 inches tall) spreads slowly but forms an exceptionally dense mat that effectively prevents soil erosion even on relatively steep inclines.
It tolerates light foot traffic while requiring almost no maintenance. For faster coverage, red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus') spreads more quickly while producing vibrant purplish-red flowers that create a stunning display.
Wild thyme offers a more naturalized look while still providing excellent erosion control. All thyme varieties thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for dry slopes where erosion often occurs.
11. Verbena: The Colorful Solution for Sunny Slopes
Trailing verbena varieties combat erosion with their spreading growth habit and ability to root along stems wherever they touch soil. This self-anchoring quality creates multiple soil attachment points that significantly reduce erosion potential.
Their drought tolerance makes them especially valuable for sunny, dry slopes with limited irrigation. These versatile plants produce abundant flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, or white from spring until frost, creating months of color while protecting the soil.
Varieties like Verbena canadensis and Verbena rigida spread to form wide mats that leave no soil exposed to erosive forces. Their shallow root systems effectively prevent surface erosion where water typically flows during rainstorms.
Maximizing Verbena's Erosion Control Potential
Proper initial spacing helps verbena establish quickly as an erosion control solution. Planting 12 to 18 inches apart allows for growth while providing reasonable initial coverage.
A light layer of mulch between young plants prevents soil loss until the verbena fills in completely with its own protective foliage. Occasional trimming after flowering flushes encourages denser growth and prevents woody stems, improving both appearance and erosion control capabilities.
These plants may be treated as annuals in colder regions but still provide seasonal erosion protection during growing months. In milder climates, they offer year-round soil stabilization with minimal care requirements.
12. English Ivy: The Shade Specialist
English ivy controls erosion in deep shade areas where few other ground covers thrive. Its aggressive growth habit quickly covers bare soil on slopes and banks, while its ability to root along stems creates multiple soil attachment points.
This climbing vine functions as a ground cover when no vertical supports are available, spreading horizontally to prevent soil erosion. The plant's dense, evergreen foliage creates a continuous barrier that shields the soil from rainfall impact year-round.
English ivy's deep roots and surface-clinging rootlets work together to hold soil in place, even on steep inclines. Once established, it tolerates poor soil, deep shade, and drought, making it suitable for challenging erosion sites.
Managing English Ivy Responsibly
English ivy's aggressive growth requires careful management to prevent it from becoming invasive. Regular trimming keeps it contained to designated erosion control areas and prevents climbing on trees or structures.
Monitoring for escaped plants beyond your intended growing area prevents environmental issues in surrounding landscapes. In regions where English ivy is considered invasive, consider native alternatives with similar erosion control properties.
However, in contained urban settings where its spread can be managed, few plants match ivy's ability to stabilize soil in deep shade quickly. Its year-round performance makes it especially valuable for winter erosion protection when many other plants are dormant.
Choosing the Right Ground Cover for Your Erosion Challenge
Selecting the ideal ground cover for erosion control depends on your site conditions. Sunny, dry slopes benefit most from drought-tolerant options like sedum, lamb's ear, or creeping thyme.
Once established, these plants develop extensive root systems while requiring minimal water. Their resilience ensures continued erosion protection even during challenging weather.
Vinca minor, English ivy, or ajuga provide effective solutions for shady areas because they tolerate shade and have soil-gripping capabilities. When selecting ground covers, consider your soil type, sun exposure, and maintenance preferences.
Native varieties often provide the best long-term erosion control with the least environmental impact. Combining different ground covers creates a more resilient erosion control system while adding visual interest. The diverse root structures work together to hold soil at various depths.
And by selecting plants with complementary blooming periods, you can enjoy continuous color throughout the growing season while your landscape remains protected from erosion year-round.