Low-Growing Gapfillers for Between Stepping Stones

Stepping stones are a charming and practical addition to any garden or landscape, creating pathways that guide visitors through outdoor spaces while adding visual interest. However, the spaces between stepping stones often present a challenge: what should fill these gaps? Bare soil can look unfinished and become muddy or weed-infested, detracting from the overall appeal. On the other hand, choosing the right plants to grow between stepping stones can enhance the pathway’s beauty, texture, and function.

Low-growing gapfillers are the perfect solution for this problem. These plants stay short enough not to obstruct your walk but offer lush greenery, color, and even fragrance. In this article, we will explore some of the best low-growing gapfiller plants ideal for filling spaces between stepping stones. We will discuss their characteristics, growing requirements, and tips for planting and maintenance.

Why Choose Low-Growing Gapfillers?

Before diving into specific plant options, it’s worth understanding why low-growing plants are well-suited for planting between stepping stones:

• Safety and Comfort: Plants that grow too tall or spread aggressively can create tripping hazards or be uncomfortable to step over.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Low-growing gapfillers provide a neat, tidy look while softening the edges of stone pathways.
• Weed Suppression: Dense groundcover helps block sunlight from reaching weeds, reducing unwanted growth.
• Soil Stabilization: Roots help keep soil in place and prevent erosion around stepping stones.
• Water Management: Many gapfillers increase permeability and reduce surface water runoff.

Characteristics of Ideal Gapfillers

When selecting plants for growing between stepping stones, consider these key characteristics:

• Height: Preferably less than 4 inches (10 cm) tall.
• Growth Habit: Spreading or mat-forming to cover gaps evenly.
• Tolerance: Able to withstand light foot traffic or occasional stepping.
• Drought Tolerance: Since soil between stones may dry quickly.
• Sun Exposure: Match with your garden’s light conditions (full sun to shade).
• Maintenance Needs: Low maintenance is preferable for easy care.

With these points in mind, here are some excellent low-growing plants that fulfill these criteria.

Popular Low-Growing Gapfillers

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

One of the most popular gapfiller plants, creeping thyme is a hardy perennial herb that forms dense mats only 2–3 inches tall. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils and tolerates drought once established. In late spring to early summer, it produces tiny purple or pink flowers that attract pollinators like bees.

Advantages:

• Fragrant leaves with culinary uses.
• Attracts pollinators.
• Tolerates light foot traffic.
• Deer resistant.
• Low water requirements.

Planting Tips:

Plant creeping thyme in the gaps with well-drained soil. Space plugs about 6–12 inches apart for quick coverage. Water regularly until established.

2. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

Corsican mint is an ultra-low groundcover reaching only 1–2 inches high. It has tiny rounded leaves with a strong mint aroma when crushed and tiny lilac flowers in summer. Preferring partial shade to full sun, it needs moist but well-drained soil.

Advantages:

• Intensely aromatic.
• Provides lush green carpet with visual appeal.
• Suitable for light foot traffic if established carefully.

Planting Tips:

Keep soil moist but not soggy; avoid heavy foot traffic initially. Use where you want a fragrant path.

3. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

Despite its name, Irish moss isn’t true moss but a flowering perennial forming a dense carpet with fine, bright green needle-like foliage growing up to 3 inches tall. It produces small white flowers in late spring to early summer. Prefers partial shade to full sun with well-drained soil.

Advantages:

• Soft texture underfoot.
• Tolerates light foot traffic.
• Forms lush green mats.

Planting Tips:

Ideal between stepping stones in cooler climates or shaded areas; ensure adequate moisture during dry spells.

4. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Blue star creeper is a spreading groundcover growing about 1–2 inches tall with tiny star-shaped blue flowers appearing in spring and summer. It tolerates moderate foot traffic and prefers moist, well-drained soil with partial shade to full sun.

Advantages:

• Attractive blue flowers brighten pathways.
• Tolerates compacted soil somewhat.
• Spreads quickly for fast coverage.

Planting Tips:

Space plugs 6–8 inches apart; keep moist until established.

5. Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)

Baby’s tears is a lush mat-forming plant with tiny rounded leaves reaching about 1–2 inches high. It thrives in partial shade with moist soil but can tolerate some sun if watered adequately.

Advantages:

• Creates soft green mat ideal for shaded pathways.
• Rapid spreading habit.

Planting Tips:

Avoid heavy foot traffic as it is delicate; suitable more for decorative areas near stepping stones rather than direct walking paths.

6. Dymondia Margaretae

A tough evergreen groundcover native to South Africa, Dymondia forms silvery-green mats growing 1–2 inches tall. It thrives in full sun and dry conditions and tolerates moderate foot traffic well.

Advantages:

• Excellent drought tolerance once established.
• Durable underfoot.
• Attractive silver foliage contrasts beautifully with stone colors.

Planting Tips:

Plant in sunny locations; allow ample space for spreading; water moderately after planting.

7. Mazus Reptans

Mazus reptans is a low-growing perennial groundcover producing small purple flowers in spring through summer. It grows just 2–3 inches tall and spreads readily to form dense carpets suited for partial shade or sunny spots with moist but well-drained soils.

Advantages:

• Fast growth rate fills gaps quickly.
• Good flower display adds seasonal interest.

Planting Tips:

Ideal for moist sites or areas near water features; keep soil consistently damp initially.

Additional Considerations When Planting Between Stepping Stones

Soil Preparation

For best results, ensure that the soil between your stepping stones is loose and fertile before planting gapfiller plants. Remove any weeds or debris and add organic matter such as compost if necessary to improve drainage and nutrient content.

Spacing

Leave adequate spacing between plant plugs so they have room to spread without overcrowding initially but close enough to fill gaps within one growing season. Generally, spacing of six to twelve inches works well depending on the species selected.

Watering

Most low-growing gapfillers require regular watering during their establishment period (usually first few months). Once mature, many become drought tolerant but still benefit from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.

Foot Traffic Management

Although many gapfillers tolerate light foot traffic, avoid heavy or constant tread on newly planted areas until roots have developed completely—usually after one growing season. Consider using stepping stones wide enough to minimize pressure on the plants themselves.

Maintenance

Keep an eye out for weeds competing with your gapfiller plants and remove them promptly by hand weeding rather than chemical herbicides which may harm desired plants. Trim back any runners or overgrowth if necessary to maintain neat edges along the pathway.

Conclusion

Choosing the right low-growing gapfillers between your stepping stones can transform an otherwise plain pathway into an inviting focal point full of color, texture, and fragrance. Plants such as creeping thyme, corsican mint, Irish moss, blue star creeper, baby’s tears, dymondia margaretae, and mazus reptans all offer unique benefits tailored for different garden conditions ranging from sunny dry spots to shaded moist areas.

By preparing your soil well and selecting plants suited to your environment and foot traffic levels, you can enjoy lush green carpets that soften your stone paths while providing functional benefits like erosion control and weed suppression. With minimal maintenance and thoughtful care, these charming gapfiller plants will help make your garden pathways safer, more beautiful, and harmonious year-round.