Gardens often have spots where nothing seems to grow, whether it's a bare patch of soil, a shaded corner, or a steep slope. Many plants are not only fast-growing but also well-suited to fill these empty areas with foliage, flowers, and life. From ground-hugging greens to colorful bloomers, these selections offer quick coverage and lasting beauty. Here are 25 plants that spread rapidly and thrive in various conditions, helping gardeners tackle problem areas with ease and confidence.
1. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading groundcover with bright green or golden leaves that bring color to shady and damp spots. It forms a dense mat to help suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion. This plant loves moisture and thrives along borders, around ponds, or in container gardens. In the right conditions, it grows quickly and fills in gaps beautifully. However, it can be invasive in some regions, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.
2. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet Woodruff is a shade-loving perennial with tiny white flowers and fragrant, star-shaped leaves. It spreads steadily through underground roots and easily fills woodland gardens or shady borders. Its delicate appearance hides its ability to form thick, low-growing carpets. This plant is often used beneath trees or shrubs and is known for its sweet, hay-like scent when dried. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and benefits from some afternoon shade.
3. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
Ajuga, also called bugleweed, is a low-growing plant prized for its colorful foliage and spikes of blue flowers. It spreads quickly through runners, making it a popular choice for covering the ground between stepping stones or filling bare garden spots. Ajuga tolerates light foot traffic and thrives in both sun and partial shade. It also helps reduce erosion and suppress weeds. Be mindful of its spread, as it can become invasive if not monitored.
4. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear gets its name from its soft, fuzzy silver leaves that resemble a lamb’s ear. It grows in clumps that slowly expand, covering the ground with a dense, silvery mat. Lamb’s Ear is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It is a great choice for edging pathways or adding texture to flower beds. While it spreads steadily, it is easy to control and keeps its tidy appearance throughout the growing season.
5. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping Thyme is a fragrant herb that makes an excellent groundcover in sunny areas. It forms a low, spreading mat of tiny leaves and blooms with small purple or pink flowers. This tough and drought-tolerant plant is ideal for rock gardens or along walkways. It also attracts pollinators and releases a pleasant scent when stepped on. Creeping Thyme fills in bare spots quickly and adds charm to any garden.
6. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)
Blue Star Creeper is a dainty-looking plant with tiny blue flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. Despite its delicate appearance, it spreads quickly and forms a dense, low mat of greenery. It works well between pavers, in containers, or as a lawn substitute in low-traffic areas. Blue Star Creeper likes moist soil and partial to full sun. It is easy to maintain and adds a soft, carpet-like texture to the garden.
7. Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’
Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’ is a hardy succulent known for its red-tinted leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. It spreads quickly by creeping stems and thrives in dry, sunny spots. This low-maintenance plant adds bold color to borders, slopes, or rock gardens. It is drought-tolerant and requires little care once established. The deep red tones become more vivid in cooler weather, making it a seasonal highlight in the landscape.
8. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild Ginger is a shade-loving groundcover native to North America. It spreads slowly through underground rhizomes, forming a thick carpet of heart-shaped leaves. This plant thrives in woodland gardens or moist, shady borders. It produces small, hidden flowers beneath the foliage in spring. Wild Ginger is a great choice for naturalistic plantings and helps prevent soil erosion in shady areas.
9. Mazus reptans
Mazus reptans is a fast-growing groundcover with small purple flowers and dense green foliage. It spreads easily along the ground and can handle light foot traffic, making it useful between stepping stones or along garden paths. Mazus prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full sun. It stays green most of the year in mild climates and fills in gaps quickly with a soft, lush look.
10. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Periwinkle is a trailing plant with shiny leaves and violet-blue flowers. It spreads rapidly through rooting stems and thrives in shady areas where grass may struggle. Periwinkle is commonly used on slopes, under trees, or in large beds as a low-maintenance groundcover. While attractive, it is considered invasive in some areas due to its aggressive spread, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting.
11. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Snow-in-Summer is named for its bright white flowers that blanket the plant in early summer. It also has silvery foliage that remains attractive year-round. This plant spreads quickly in dry, sunny areas and forms a dense, low mat that helps control erosion. Snow-in-Summer is drought-tolerant and works well on slopes, in rock gardens, or along borders. Once established, it needs little maintenance.
12. Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’
Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is a colorful groundcover with green, yellow, and red leaves. It spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes and quickly fills in empty spots, even in tough conditions. This plant can grow in sun or shade and tolerates wet soil. However, it is known to be invasive in many regions and may be hard to remove once established. Gardeners should use caution and consider using barriers to limit its spread.
13. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod is a tall, clumping perennial known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. It spreads through underground rhizomes and can quickly fill in gaps in a wildflower garden or naturalized area. Goldenrod supports pollinators and is especially attractive to bees and butterflies. Despite the common belief it does not cause allergies, the real culprit is often ragweed. Goldenrod prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
14. Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
Coreopsis is a cheerful, fast-spreading perennial with feathery leaves and bright yellow flowers. It forms loose clumps that spread by rhizomes and reseeds readily. This plant thrives in full sun and dry to average soil. Coreopsis attracts pollinators and adds long-lasting color to the garden. It is a good choice for filling in sunny borders or meadow-style plantings.
15. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping Phlox is a spring-blooming groundcover with needle-like leaves and a vibrant carpet of flowers in pink, purple, or white. It spreads quickly over slopes and rocks, helping to prevent erosion and add early color. Creeping Phlox prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it requires little care and returns reliably each year.
16. Bishop’s Weed (Aegopodium podagraria)
Bishop’s Weed, also known as goutweed, is a vigorous groundcover with variegated leaves and a fast-spreading habit. It grows well in shade and tolerates poor soil, making it a go-to plant for hard-to-grow areas. However, it is highly invasive and can be very difficult to remove. Gardeners should plant it with caution and avoid letting it escape into natural areas.
17. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the Valley is a fragrant, shade-loving perennial with bell-shaped white flowers. It spreads by underground rhizomes and forms a thick carpet of green leaves. This plant is often used in woodland gardens or under shrubs. While beautiful, it is toxic if eaten and can be invasive in some regions. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade.
18. Crown Vetch (Securigera varia)
Crown Vetch is a fast-spreading groundcover often used for erosion control on slopes and roadsides. It has feathery leaves and pink to purple flowers that bloom in summer. This plant fixes nitrogen in the soil and can thrive in poor conditions. However, it is invasive in many areas and can crowd out native plants. It is best used in large, managed spaces where spread can be controlled.
19. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Virginia Creeper is a climbing vine that can also serve as a groundcover. It spreads quickly and attaches to surfaces with small tendrils. This native plant has five-leaflet foliage that turns bright red in fall. It grows in sun or shade and tolerates a range of soils. Virginia Creeper is useful for covering fences, walls, or slopes, but it can spread aggressively if not managed.
20. Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Obedient Plant is a tall perennial with spikes of pink or white flowers. It spreads quickly through rhizomes and fills in open spaces in sunny garden beds. Despite its name, it can be somewhat aggressive in ideal conditions. The flowers attract pollinators and bloom late in the season, adding height and color. Obedient Plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun.
21. Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
Gooseneck Loosestrife is known for its graceful, arching flower spikes that resemble a goose’s neck. It spreads quickly through underground rhizomes and fills in open areas with ease. This plant prefers moist soil and does well in sun or partial shade. While beautiful in bloom, it can be invasive if left unchecked, so it’s best used in contained areas or with root barriers.
22. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Japanese Spurge is a shade-tolerant evergreen groundcover that forms a dense mat of glossy green leaves. It spreads by underground stems and is ideal for areas where grass won’t grow. It is often used under trees or along shady paths. Japanese Spurge is low-maintenance and keeps its color year-round. It spreads steadily but may become invasive if not controlled.
23. Ground Morning Glory (Convolvulus sabatius)
Ground Morning Glory is a trailing plant with blue or purple trumpet-shaped flowers. It spreads quickly in sunny spots and cascades beautifully over walls, containers, or hanging baskets. This plant thrives in warm, dry conditions and blooms through the summer. It is not related to weedy morning glory vines and is generally easier to manage. Ground Morning Glory adds color and charm to sunny garden spots.
24. Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)
Strawberry Begonia is a charming groundcover with fuzzy leaves and small white flowers. It spreads by sending out runners, much like a strawberry plant. This plant prefers shade and moist, well-drained soil. It works well in containers or as a houseplant but also grows in shady garden beds. Strawberry Begonia is easy to grow and forms a neat, low-growing mat over time.
25. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
Ice Plant is a low-growing succulent with bright, daisy-like flowers and fleshy leaves. It thrives in hot, dry climates and spreads quickly over rocky or sandy soil. This plant is perfect for slopes, borders, or groundcover in drought-prone areas. Ice Plant blooms all summer and attracts pollinators. It requires very little care once established and adds vibrant color to xeriscape gardens.
Garden Spaces Transformed
Even the most stubborn bare patch can become a thriving, beautiful part of your landscape with the right plant. These fast-spreading varieties offer practical solutions for coverage while bringing texture, color, and life to your garden. As always, it’s wise to choose species that match your region’s climate and check for invasiveness. With a little planning and care, your empty spaces can quickly become your garden’s most admired feature.