Quick Spreading Groundcover Plants for Large Areas

Covering large areas of land efficiently and attractively can be a challenge in landscaping and gardening. Whether you want to suppress weeds, reduce soil erosion, or simply create a lush green carpet, groundcover plants offer an ideal solution. When time is of the essence, selecting quick spreading groundcover plants is crucial to achieving rapid coverage and establishing a healthy landscape.

In this article, we will explore the best fast-growing groundcover plants suitable for large areas. We’ll look at their growth habits, ideal conditions, benefits, and tips for successful planting.

Why Choose Quick Spreading Groundcovers?

Groundcover plants serve multiple purposes:

• Weed suppression: Fast-spreading plants shade the soil, preventing weed seeds from germinating.
• Soil erosion control: Their roots stabilize soil on slopes and bare patches.
• Low maintenance: Once established, many groundcovers need minimal care.
• Aesthetic appeal: They provide color, texture, and interest across wide landscapes.
• Environmental benefits: Many groundcovers improve soil quality and provide habitat for beneficial insects.

Quick spreading varieties accelerate these advantages by filling empty spaces swiftly. This not only creates a cohesive look faster but also limits open soil exposure that invites erosion and weed growth.

Key Considerations When Selecting Groundcovers

Before choosing a plant, consider the following:

• Climate adaptability: Choose species suited to your USDA hardiness zone or local climate.
• Soil type: Some groundcovers prefer sandy soils; others thrive in clay or loamy soils.
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade conditions will affect plant choice.
• Moisture levels: Determine whether your site is dry, moist, or prone to standing water.
• Growth habit: Creeping runners, mounding mats, or clumping types spread differently.
• Maintenance requirements: Some groundcovers need occasional trimming; others are self-limiting.
• Invasiveness: Avoid plants that may escape cultivated areas and disrupt native ecosystems.

Keeping these factors in mind can help you select the best quick spreading groundcover for your project.

Top Quick Spreading Groundcover Plants for Large Areas

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Growth rate: Fast
Height: 2 to 3 inches
Spread: Up to 2 feet wide per season
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, sandy to loamy
Zones: 4–9

Creeping thyme is a fragrant and hardy herbaceous groundcover that spreads rapidly by trailing stems rooting at nodes. It forms dense mats just a few inches high and produces lovely purple-pink flowers in summer that attract pollinators.

Ideal for sunny rock gardens, pathways, or covering slopes, it tolerates drought once established and requires minimal maintenance. Its aromatic foliage also repels some insect pests.

2. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Growth rate: Very fast
Height: 4 to 6 inches
Spread: Aggressive runners can cover several feet quickly
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained but adaptable
Zones: 3–9

Creeping Jenny is known for its bright chartreuse foliage that adds vibrant color to shady or partially sunny areas. It spreads by long runners that root easily upon contact with soil.

Though it loves moist conditions, it can tolerate periods of dryness once established. Due to its vigorous growth habit, it’s excellent for rapid coverage but should be monitored to prevent unwanted spread.

3. Ajuga / Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Growth rate: Fast
Height: 6 to 10 inches
Spread: Spreads via stolons forming dense mats quickly
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade (tolerates some sun)
Soil: Moist, well-drained but adaptable
Zones: 3–9

Ajuga is a popular groundcover for shady spots with glossy dark green or bronze leaves and spikes of blue flowers in spring. It spreads by runners (stolons) that root readily.

It thrives under trees and in garden beds where grass struggles to grow. Ajuga also helps prevent erosion on moderate slopes and requires little upkeep beyond occasional thinning.

4. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Growth rate: Fast
Height: 4 to 6 inches
Spread: Extensive creeping habit covering large areas rapidly
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained; tolerates variety of soil types
Zones: 4–9

Vinca minor is a classic evergreen groundcover valued for its small violet-blue flowers appearing in spring. It spreads aggressively with trailing stems that root at intervals.

This plant’s dense mat discourages weeds effectively while staying attractive year-round because of its glossy foliage. It performs well under trees or in shady borders.

5. Creeping Raspberry (Rubus pentalobus)

Growth rate: Very fast
Height: 1–2 feet (vining habit)
Spread: Vigorous runners capable of rapid expansion
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained fertile soils preferred
Zones: 7–10

Creeping raspberry is a trailing woody shrub with attractive lobed leaves and small white flowers leading to edible red berries. Its aggressive runners root easily making it ideal for quick soil coverage on hillsides or open grounds.

The plant prefers warmer climates but makes a colorful and functional groundcover where winters are mild.

6. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Growth rate: Moderate to fast under ideal conditions
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Spread: Spreads via underground rhizomes forming dense colonies
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
Soil: Moist, rich woodland soils preferred
Zones: 4–8

Sweet woodruff is an excellent choice for shaded woodland gardens offering sweetly scented foliage and delicate white flowers in spring. While slower than some others listed here, it still covers large areas steadily once established.

This perennial thrives in rich soils with consistent moisture but tolerates some drought once mature.

7. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Growth rate: Fast
Height: Less than 2 inches tall
Spread: Forms dense mats through creeping stems rooting frequently
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained soils preferred
Zones: 5–9

Blue star creeper is prized for its tiny star-shaped blue flowers that bloom profusely from spring through fall. It creates an attractive low carpet useful between stepping stones or as lawn substitute in light foot traffic areas.

It grows rapidly under favorable conditions covering large plots efficiently without becoming invasive.

8. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

Growth rate: Moderate-fast depending on conditions
Height: 6 to 10 inches tall clumps spreading slowly by rhizomes but can establish large masses over time
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
Soil: Moist well-drained acidic soils preferred
Zones: 6–11

Mondo grass offers narrow dark green leaves forming dense tufts used as an evergreen groundcover in shady locations. Though not as rapid as some above-mentioned varieties initially, it eventually forms thick carpets suitable for large-scale planting.

It tolerates foot traffic reasonably well and requires little maintenance once settled.

Tips for Planting Quick Spreading Groundcovers

Prepare the Site Properly

• Remove existing weeds thoroughly to avoid competition.
• Loosen the soil surface and amend with organic matter if necessary.
• Ensure good drainage unless planting moisture-loving species.

Plant at Appropriate Times

• Early spring or fall are ideal planting times allowing roots to establish before extreme temperatures arrive.
• Avoid planting during hot dry spells unless adequate irrigation is available.

Space Plants Correctly

• Follow recommended spacing guidelines; closer spacing encourages quicker coverage but may increase initial costs.
• Some species spread aggressively regardless of initial spacing—factor this into your plan.

Watering and Mulching

• Water newly planted areas consistently until plants are established.
• Mulch with organic materials like shredded bark or pine needles to conserve moisture and suppress weeds without smothering young plants.

Maintenance After Establishment

• Control unwanted spread by trimming runners if necessary.
• Thin overcrowded patches every few seasons by dividing clumps or digging out portions.
• Fertilize sparingly; excessive nutrients may encourage foliar growth over root development weakening overall resilience.

Conclusion

Selecting quick spreading groundcover plants can transform large bare spaces into lush, functional landscapes within months rather than years. From aromatic creeping thyme thriving in sunny dry spots to vigorous ajuga carpeting shady garden floors, there are many options tailored for various climates and site conditions.

By understanding your site’s specific needs and choosing appropriate species that spread rapidly yet remain manageable, you can enjoy beautiful weed-free groundscapes while improving soil health and supporting biodiversity. With proper preparation, planting techniques, and ongoing care, fast-growing groundcovers provide an effective foundation for sustainable landscaping over large areas.