Succulents That Are Perfect For Ground Cover: Low-Maintenance Beauty for Your Garden

We may be paid a commission if you purchase through links on this page. More info.

succulent ground covers

Succulents make excellent ground cover plants for gardens and landscapes. These water-wise plants offer a low-maintenance solution for filling spaces with lush greenery and unique textures.

Many succulent varieties spread quickly to form dense mats that suppress weeds and protect soil from erosion.

When selecting succulent ground covers, gardeners should consider the plant’s mature size, growth rate, and cold hardiness for their climate.

With proper plant selection, succulents can transform bare areas into eye-catching, drought-tolerant landscapes.

Sedum Album

Sedum album, also known as white stonecrop or jelly bean sedum, is a charming succulent that makes an excellent ground cover. This low-growing plant forms dense mats of tiny, fleshy leaves that spread quickly across the soil.

Gardeners appreciate Sedum album for its ability to thrive in challenging conditions. It’s drought tolerant and low maintenance, making it perfect for busy gardeners or those with less-than-ideal growing conditions.

To grow Sedum album as ground cover:

  1. Choose a sunny to partially shaded spot
  2. Ensure well-draining soil
  3. Plant seedlings or cuttings at the same depth as their root ball
  4. Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry between waterings

This hardy plant grows well in USDA zones 3-9, adapting to various climates. Its spreading habit helps prevent soil erosion and naturally suppresses weeds.

Sedum album produces small white flowers in summer, attracting butterflies to the garden. While generally pest-resistant, keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which may occasionally nibble on the plants.

Remember that Sedum album can be mildly toxic if eaten in large quantities, so it’s best to supervise pets and children around these plants.

Senecio Mandraliscae

Senecio Mandraliscae
User:Antilived, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Senecio mandraliscae, commonly known as blue chalksticks, is a striking succulent that makes an excellent ground cover. Its blue-gray finger-like leaves create a beautiful contrast in any garden.

This plant forms a dense mat, reaching 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. Its spreading habit helps suppress weeds naturally, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscaping.

Blue chalksticks thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They prefer well-draining soil and don’t need frequent watering. Once established, they’re quite drought-resistant.

Gardeners in USDA zones 9-11 can grow Senecio mandraliscae outdoors year-round. In colder areas, it’s best to plant them in containers and bring them indoors during winter.

To use as ground cover, space plants about 12 inches apart. They’ll gradually fill in the gaps, creating a seamless blue-gray carpet. Blue chalksticks pair well with other succulents or drought-tolerant plants.

Propagation is easy through stem cuttings. Simply snip a piece, let it callus for a few days, then plant in well-draining soil.

While generally low-maintenance, blue chalksticks can be prone to root rot if overwatered. It’s best to let the soil dry out between waterings.

In summer, small white flowers may appear, adding a subtle charm to this already attractive plant.

Sempervivum Arachnoideum

Sempervivum ArachnoideumSource: @planetcactus

Sempervivum arachnoideum, also known as Cobweb Houseleek, is an excellent choice for ground cover in gardens. This charming succulent forms dense mats of rosettes, creating a beautiful carpet-like appearance.

The plant’s unique feature is the fine, white webbing that covers its leaves, giving it a distinctive cobweb-like look. This characteristic makes it stand out among other succulents and adds visual interest to any garden space.

Sempervivum arachnoideum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s highly drought-tolerant, making it perfect for gardeners who want low-maintenance ground cover options.

The plant spreads by producing offsets, often called “chicks,” around the main rosette.

For best results, plant Sempervivum arachnoideum in:

  • Rock gardens
  • Between stepping stones
  • Slopes or hillsides
  • Containers or troughs

This hardy succulent can withstand cold temperatures and is suitable for USDA zones 4-8. It’s an ideal choice for areas with poor soil conditions where other plants might struggle to grow.

Sempervivum arachnoideum requires minimal care once established. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it’s best to err on the side of under-watering.

As a ground cover, Sempervivum arachnoideum helps suppress weed growth and can be used to fill in gaps between other plants. Its compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for small spaces or as an edging plant along pathways.

Aloe Brevifolia

Aloe brevifolia ground cover

Aloe brevifolia, also known as the short-leaf aloe, is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance ground cover. This compact succulent forms dense clusters that effectively suppress weed growth.

Gardeners appreciate its drought tolerance and attractive foliage. The plant’s rosettes reach about 4 inches in height, creating a carpet-like appearance when grown en masse. Its pale blue-green leaves turn rosy-pink and golden-yellow in full sun, adding visual interest to the landscape.

To grow Aloe brevifolia as ground cover:

  1. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade
  2. Plant in well-draining soil
  3. Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry between waterings

This succulent thrives in USDA zones 9-11. In colder regions, gardeners can grow it in containers and move them indoors during winter.

Aloe brevifolia attracts pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.

Unfortunately, it’s critically endangered in its natural habitat due to habitat loss, so cultivating it helps preserve the species.

For propagation, gardeners can separate offsets from the parent plant. After cutting, allow the wound to dry for a few days before planting. Keep the soil consistently moist until the new plant establishes roots.

Delosperma Cooperi

Delosperma Cooperi

Delosperma cooperi, commonly known as the Hardy Ice Plant, is an excellent choice for ground cover in sunny, dry areas. This low-growing succulent forms a dense mat of fleshy green leaves, creating an attractive carpet in the garden.

The plant’s vibrant magenta-purple flowers bloom profusely from early summer to fall, adding a burst of color to landscapes. These daisy-like blossoms can reach up to 2 inches in diameter, often covering the foliage entirely.

Hardy Ice Plants thrive in USDA zones 6-10, making them versatile for various climates. They prefer full sun exposure and well-draining soil, such as sandy loam or gravel mixtures.

To establish Delosperma cooperi as ground cover:

  1. Plant in spring after the last frost
  2. Space plants 12-18 inches apart
  3. Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency
  4. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot

This succulent spreads quickly, reaching up to 24 inches in diameter. Its rapid growth helps suppress weeds and provides excellent erosion control on slopes.

Delosperma cooperi is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance once established. It’s also deer-resistant, though gardeners should watch for aphids and mealybugs.

For a cohesive landscape design, pair Hardy Ice Plants with other low-water succulents or drought-tolerant perennials that enjoy similar growing conditions.

Jovibarba Globifera

Rolf Engstrand, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jovibarba globifera, also known as Rolling Hen-and-chicks, is a charming succulent that makes an excellent ground cover. This hardy plant thrives in USDA zones 4-9, making it a versatile choice for many gardens.

As a ground cover, J. globifera forms dense, low-growing mats that effectively crowd out weeds. Its ability to spread quickly helps create a lush, green carpet in sunny areas.

J. globifera is very easy to grow and maintain. It prefers well-draining soil, which can be achieved by mixing compost with sand or vermiculite. This succulent requires minimal watering, making it ideal for drought-prone areas.

Jovibarba globifera produces small, globe-shaped offsets that detach easily from the mother plant. This trait allows it to spread naturally, filling in bare spots in the garden.

To encourage healthy growth, plant J. globifera in full to partial sun. The soil should dry completely between waterings to prevent root rot. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for busy gardeners or those new to succulent care.

J. globifera’s compact rosettes add visual interest to rock gardens, borders, and containers. Its pale green to yellowish leaves often develop reddish-brown tips, creating a lovely contrast in the landscape.

For rapid coverage, gardeners can space plants about 6-12 inches apart. As the succulents grow and spread, they’ll create a seamless, drought-tolerant ground cover that requires little attention once established.

Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’

Cremnosedum 'Little Gem'Source: @xenia.stone_flowers

Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’ is a charming succulent that works wonderfully as ground cover. This petite stonecrop forms dense clumps of bronze-green rosettes, which take on reddish hues in full sun.

Gardeners appreciate its low-maintenance nature and drought tolerance. ‘Little Gem’ thrives in well-draining soil and bright light conditions. It’s best suited for USDA zones 8-10, making it ideal for warmer climates.

When planting ‘Little Gem’ as ground cover, space the plants about 6-8 inches apart. This allows them to spread and create a lush carpet. Water sparingly, letting the soil dry between waterings to prevent root rot.

This succulent shines in rock gardens and small containers. Its compact size makes it perfect for fairy gardens and terrariums too. In late winter to early spring, ‘Little Gem’ produces lovely yellow star-shaped flowers.

Propagation is simple with ‘Little Gem’. Gently remove offsets from the mother plant and replant them in well-draining soil. This method helps expand ground cover quickly and efficiently.

Pet owners can rest easy, as ‘Little Gem’ is generally non-toxic to animals. However, it’s always wise to discourage pets from nibbling on any plants.

Dragon’s Blood Sedum

Dragon’s Blood Sedum

Perhaps the most spectacular of all the ground cover sedums, Dragon’s Blood is immediately identifiable for its short, beautiful foliage, which is green with red or red edges but turns a brilliant dark red in the fall.

This plant is resistant to drought, cold temperatures, poor soil, disease, insects, and larger pests like deer and rabbits. Best of all, because it is an unusual succulent that is native to the Caucuses, it is well suited to cooler growing zones than most succulents will tolerate.

This plant also propagates easily and spreads well. A mature plant may be up to 18 inches in diameter. With sufficient sunlight, dragon’s blood sedum produces tiny pink flowers and attracts butterflies.

Orostachys Malacophylla VAR. iwarenge

Orostachys iwarenge, also known as the Chinese Dunce Cap, is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a unique ground cover succulent. This plant forms dense mats of small, cone-shaped rosettes with lavender-grey leaves.

The Chinese Dunce Cap spreads easily through offsets, creating a thick carpet that can reach up to 18 inches wide while staying just 1 inch tall. This low-growing habit makes it perfect for filling spaces between rocks or covering bare soil in garden beds.

Gardeners will appreciate Orostachys iwarenge’s hardiness. It thrives in USDA zones 5-10, tolerating temperatures as low as -10°F (-23°C). For colder regions, planting in containers allows for easy relocation during harsh winters.

To grow Chinese Dunce Caps successfully:

  • Plant in well-draining soil
  • Provide full sun exposure
  • Water using the soak and dry method
  • Allow soil to dry completely between waterings

This succulent is resistant to pests and easy to propagate, making it a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners. It works well in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and mixed succulent arrangements.

Orostachys iwarenge’s ability to self-sow and spread quickly helps suppress weed growth, reducing garden maintenance time. Its compact size and unique appearance add visual interest to any landscape without overwhelming other plants.

Crassula Pellucida Variegata ‘Calico Kitten’

Crassula Pellucida VariegataSource: @chicagogardener

Crassula Pellucida Variegata ‘Calico Kitten’ is a charming succulent that makes an excellent ground cover option. Crassula Pellucida Variegata ‘Calico Kitten’ is a charming succulent that makes an excellent ground cover option. Its heart-shaped leaves come in stunning shades of pink, cream, and green, adding a vibrant touch to any space. Like many succulents, it thrives in well-draining soil and bright, indirect light, making its maintenance somewhat similar to string of hearts care, which emphasizes proper watering and avoiding over-saturation. The trailing growth habit of this lovely plant also makes it an eye-catching addition to hanging baskets or decorative planters.

This pretty plant features small, heart-shaped leaves in variegated shades of green, cream, and pink.

As a ground cover, Calico Kitten offers several benefits:

  • Low maintenance
  • Drought-tolerant
  • Helps prevent weed growth

Gardeners will find this succulent easy to grow. It prefers well-draining soil and bright, indirect sunlight.

Water sparingly, and allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Calico Kitten thrives in USDA zones 9-11. It’s a great choice for:

  • Rock gardens
  • Hanging baskets
  • Containers

This succulent has a trailing growth habit, making it perfect for cascading over edges. It can spread up to 12 inches, creating a beautiful carpet of colorful foliage.

Pet owners will be pleased to know that Calico Kitten is non-toxic. It pairs well with other succulents like Sedum and Echeveria, creating diverse and attractive arrangements.

For best results, plant Calico Kitten in an area with good air circulation.

Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. With proper care, this lovely succulent will provide a stunning, low-growing cover for any garden space.

Leave a Comment