The 10 Easiest Ground Covers to Grow from Seed

Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread across the ground to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. They are excellent options for filling in bare spots, preventing soil erosion on slopes, and replacing lawn grass. Many attractive perennials make great ground covers, but some of the easiest to establish from seed are annuals and herbs.

When choosing ground cover seeds, look for plants suited to your growing conditions. Consider factors like sunlight exposure, soil type, hardiness zone, and desired height. Luckily, there are lots of options for both sun and shade Here are 10 of the easiest ground covers you can grow from seed

1. Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a hardy perennial ground cover for full sun. It produces clusters of pink to purple flowers on short stems over its tiny aromatic leaves in summer. Thyme ground cover grows only 2-4 inches tall, spreading up to 18 inches wide. It thrives in zones 4-9 in well-drained soil and tolerates some foot traffic once established.

Creeping thyme is very easy to grow from seed started indoors Simply sow seeds in starter trays and transplant seedlings 12 inches apart after the last frost It can also be directly seeded into the garden in spring.

2. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is beloved for its short stature, fragrant flowers, and easy care. This quick-growing annual reaches just 4-6 inches tall but spreads up to 2 feet wide From spring to fall, plants are blanketed in scented white blooms that small pollinators adore Sweet alyssum thrives in full sun in zones 4-9.

These ground cover seeds can be directly sown into the garden after the last spring frost. Press them lightly into soil and keep moist until they sprout. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date, then transplant seedlings outside about 6 inches apart after hardening them off.

3. Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a popular early spring bloomer that makes an attractive, low-maintenance evergreen ground cover. Plants grow just 6 inches tall but spread up to 2 feet wide. From March to May, creeping phlox erupts in pretty flowers of white, pink, lavender, red, or bluish-purple. It thrives in full sun in well-drained soil in zones 3-9.

You can sow creeping phlox seeds directly in the garden in fall. Or start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost to transplant seedlings outside 9 inches apart after hardening off. This ground cover may reseed itself, eliminating the need to start new plants.

4. Roman Chamomile

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) has feathery, fragrant foliage and produces small white and yellow daisy-like flowers. This perennial herb does double duty as an aromatic ground cover and a medicinal plant. It grows about 6 inches tall and spreads 1-2 feet wide in zones 4-9 in full sun and well-drained soil.

Sow Roman chamomile seeds directly in the garden after the last spring frost. Or start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost to give this relatively slow grower a head start. Transplant seedlings or thin direct sowings to about 1 foot apart.

5. Purple Dragonhead

Purple dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica) is an easy-to-grow annual that’s ideal for cottage gardens or naturalized areas. Plants reach 1-2 feet tall on branching stems lined with narrow leaves. Dense spikes of blue-purple, snapdragon-like flowers appear in summer. This herb thrives in full sun or part shade and moderately fertile soil.

For early blooms, sow a few purple dragonhead seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Transplant seedlings 1 foot apart outside after hardening off. You can also direct sow seeds in the garden after danger of frost. Thin seedlings or space seeds about 1 foot apart.

6. Verbena

Verbena (Verbena x hybrida) is a trailing annual ground cover that blooms vigorously all summer long in containers or garden beds. Plants spread 2-3 feet wide and reach just 4-6 inches tall. Flower colors include white, pink, scarlet, purple, and multi-colored mixes. Verbenas thrive in full sun in average, well-drained soil in zones 9-11.

You can start verbena from seeds indoors up to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date for earliest blooms. Or plant seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, spacing them 9-12 inches apart. Keep young plants consistently moist until established.

7. Creeping Zinnia

Unlike its upright flowering cousins, creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) grows just 6 inches tall but spreads 1-2 feet wide—perfect for a low-growing flowering ground cover! From spring until frost, the trailing plants produce abundant orange daisy-like blooms with yellow centers that close at night and reopen in daytime. Creeping zinnia thrives in full sun in zones 9-10.

These quick-growing annuals are best direct sown in the garden after your last spring frost date, as they dislike being transplanted. Space seeds 8-12 inches apart in a sunny spot with rich, well-draining soil.

8. Snow-in-Summer

Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is a low-growing hardy perennial ground cover. Plants form a 4-8 inch tall mat of silvery gray-green leaves, producing masses of small white flowers from late spring to midsummer. Snow-in-summer thrives in zones 3-7 in full sun and dry, infertile soil, doing well in rocky areas.

You can sow snow-in-summer seeds directly in the garden in spring or fall. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors, transplanting 9-12 inches apart after hardening off. To promote spreading, shear plants lightly after flowering.

9. Irish Moss

Irish moss (Sagina subulata) is a super low, moss-like evergreen perennial ground cover that grows just 1-2 inches tall. Its delicate texture and emerald green color make it ideal between flagstones or as a lawn substitute. Tiny white flowers cover plants in late spring. Irish moss thrives in zones 4-10 in part shade to full sun.

Sow Irish moss seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last frost since germination is slow. Transplant plugs or seedlings 4-6 inches apart. You can also direct sow outside in spring once soils reach 60°F. Water regularly until established.

10. Sweet Woodruff

Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a shade-loving spreading perennial ground cover. Plants reach 4-8 inches tall and produce clusters of tiny white scented flowers in spring. The fragrant leaves smell pleasantly of new mown hay. Sweet woodruff thrives in zones 4-8 in part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.

For earliest blooms, stratify sweet woodruff seeds for 2-4 weeks before sowing indoors. Transplant plugs or seedlings about 8 inches apart after hardening off. You can also direct sow in late winter or early spring. Water regularly the first year until established.

The possibilities for ground covers are nearly endless, but these 10 are some of the easiest to grow from seed. Choose the plant best suited to your growing conditions for gorgeous, low-maintenance ground cover. With proper planting and care, you’ll be rewarded with flowers, fragrance, and lush carpets of color.