Succulent Ground Cover Plants for a Low Maintenance Landscape

If you're looking for a low-maintenance landscape, succulent ground cover plants are a great choice. They're perfect for areas with poor soil or full sun.

Sedum and echeveria are two popular types of succulents that thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. They're also drought-tolerant, making them ideal for water-conscious gardeners.

Some succulents, like sedum, can survive with minimal watering, but they still need occasional watering to stay healthy. This can be a game-changer for busy gardeners who struggle to keep up with regular watering schedules.

These plants are also great for areas with poor soil, as they can tolerate a range of soil conditions. They're perfect for gardeners who want to create a beautiful landscape without breaking the bank or spending hours on maintenance.

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To ensure you're getting a perennial succulent ground cover, check the plant tag to make sure it won't just be a short-lived annual. You want to make sure it will survive in your hardiness zone.

Some succulents are used to tropical conditions and don't like frost, so consider this when choosing a plant. Look for indications of the mature size of the plant, including the height and how much it will spread.

When selecting a succulent ground cover, consider the top 10 drought-tolerant options listed below:

Choosing a cover plant can be overwhelming, but knowing what to look for can make all the difference. Check the plant tag to ensure it's a perennial, not an annual, and that it's suitable for your hardiness zone.

Some succulent ground covers are perfect for tropical conditions, but they can't handle frost, let alone a cold winter with snow. Research the mature size of the plant to know how much space it'll take up.

Don't skimp on the number of plants needed for a thick, lush coverage - it'll save you work in the long run. Weed out the area thoroughly before planting.

Improving soil drainage is key when planting a succulent ground cover. Add pumice or coarse sand to the soil, avoiding fine sand, to prevent waterlogged soil.

Worm castings are a game-changer for succulents. Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup per square foot to feed your plants and prevent pests like mealybugs.

Succulent ground covers don't tolerate foot traffic, so plan ahead and include stepping stones as needed. Plant them at the same depth as the soil line in their container for the best results.

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Choosing a cover for your garden can be a daunting task, but it's a crucial one. There are many types of covers to choose from, but succulent ground covers are a popular choice due to their low maintenance and versatility.

Succulent ground covers are a great option for areas with poor soil or full sun. They require minimal watering and care, making them perfect for busy gardeners or those new to gardening. Some succulent ground covers can even thrive in areas with poor drainage.

A good succulent ground cover can add beauty and texture to your garden, and there are many options to choose from. In fact, there are over 10 great choices among just Sedum or Sempervivum alone.

Here are the top 10 succulent ground covers to consider:

Each of these succulent ground covers is a stellar performer and can add a unique touch to your garden. By choosing one of these top 10 succulent ground covers, you can enjoy a beautiful and low-maintenance garden all year round.

Succulent ground covers are perfect for areas with flat patches in front of taller plants, filling in the space without hiding the plants behind.

You can also use them in rock gardens or sloped gardens, where they'll trail over rocks and other edges, holding the soil in place.

Many succulents are great for green roof applications, thriving in the drought-tolerant conditions.

They're low-growing and lightweight, making them an excellent choice for this type of setting.

Consider a succulent ground cover "lawn" for a unique and interesting front yard garden in an urban area.

You can lay out sedum mats like a carpet, trimming them to suit the space, and they're even available from companies like Sedum Master.

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Succulent ground cover plants are incredibly easy to care for, and they'll thrive with minimal attention. They're perfect for busy gardeners or those new to gardening.

To ensure your succulent ground cover gets the right amount of water, remember to water it deeply and then refrain from watering again until the soil is dry several inches deep. This is especially important during the winter months when they need very little water.

Succulents have shallow root systems, so a few inches of loosely draining soil is all they need. If your soil is heavy, you can amend it by adding sand or gravel to the top few inches.

Deadheading is an essential part of succulent ground cover maintenance. Remove dead flowers to encourage the creation of more blossoms in their place.

To fertilize your succulent ground cover, add liquid fertilizer to your watering can once a year at the start of the growing season. This gives your ground cover a boost as summer approaches.

In general, succulents prefer well-drained soil and can be prone to fungal or pest issues if organic mulch is used. Instead, opt for inorganic mulch like pea gravel or small stones.

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Sedum 'Spurium', also known as Caucasian Stonecrop, is a very common sedum found in rock gardens. It's drought tolerant, doesn't mind poor soils, and spreads nicely throughout a garden.

One of the best things about Sedum 'Spurium' is its ability to thrive in full sun and poor soils, making it a great choice for areas with challenging growing conditions.

Here are some specific sedum ground covers to consider:

Sedum album, also known as White Sedum, has a unique charm with its jellybean-like leaves and turns brilliant red in summer. It's also hardy down to a frigid zone 4 and is a deer-resistant ground cover.

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Delosperma is a fascinating plant native to the coast of South Africa. It's also known as an ice plant, although that name is shared with other species in the same family.

The flowers of Delosperma are quite unique, closing up tight for the night or on cloudy days, but opening up during sunny days to reveal their vibrant colors. This means they're "open for business" for bees and other pollinators.

Delosperma cooperi, also known as the beloved ice plant, produces hot pink blooms from mid-summer through mid-autumn. It's a great choice for hanging baskets or containers of mixed succulents.

Delosperma will tolerate light foot traffic, making it a great option for walkways or paths, although stepping stones are still recommended. It's also resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a low-maintenance choice.

To grow Delosperma cooperi, it's best to provide full sun, which will help it thrive. This flowering ground cover is hardy to zone 6, withstanding temperatures as low as -10°F (-23°C).

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Succulent ground cover plants are a great option for areas with poor soil or full sun. They're low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making them perfect for busy gardeners.

These plants can thrive in a variety of conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Some, like Sedum album, can even survive in zones 4 and below, where temperatures drop as low as -30°F (-34°C).

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If you're looking for a succulent ground cover that's deer-resistant, consider Senecio mandraliscae, commonly known as "blue chalk sticks." It's hardy in zones 9-11 and tolerates frost down to 20°F (-6.7°C).

Sedum 'Ellacombianum' is another great option, with its starbursts of small yellow flowers blooming right through the summer into fall. It can tolerate partial shade and provides fall and winter interest.

Some succulent ground covers, like Jovibarba globifera, are cold-hardy down to at least zone 5 (-15°F / -26°C) and some much colder. They're also deer-resistant and can form dense mats of foliage.

Here are some popular succulent ground cover plants, listed by their hardiness zones:

Remember, succulent ground covers are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making them perfect for busy gardeners. They can thrive in a variety of conditions and provide winter interest, making them a great addition to any garden.

There are more than 10 great choices among just Sedum or Sempervivum alone, making it a challenge to narrow down the options.

Each entry on the list of top 10 succulent ground covers is from a different genus, providing a broad overview of the many varieties available.

Sedum and Sempervivum are two genera that have a large number of good choices, but there are only a few good options in some other genera.

You can choose from a variety of succulent ground covers to find the perfect fit for your garden, with each one being a stellar performer as a ground cover.

I decided to give you as broad an overview as possible, so each entry on this list is from a different genus, ensuring that you have a good understanding of the many options available.

The author of the guide to succulent ground covers would love to hear from you, so take a moment to leave a comment and let them know what you think of the list.

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