15 Best Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun (Low Maintenance & Drought-Tolerant)

Ground cover plants are a simple way to transform sunny areas into lush, low-maintenance landscapes.

They help prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and add year-round color and texture – all without requiring constant care. But not all ground covers can handle full sun, heat, and dry conditions.

In this article, I'll cover 15 of the best ground cover plants for full sun, including drought-tolerant varieties, evergreen options, and colorful flowering types.

Whether you need a fast-spreading ground cover for erosion control or a compact, ornamental plant for garden edges, you'll find the perfect match for your space.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus spp.)

If you want a tough, fragrant ground cover that thrives in full sun, creeping thyme is a fantastic choice.

It forms a dense mat of tiny, aromatic leaves that release a pleasant scent when you step on them.

In spring and early summer, it bursts into a sea of pink, purple, red, or white flowers, attracting bees and other pollinators to your garden.

Once established, creeping thyme is incredibly drought-tolerant and requires very little maintenance.

It spreads quickly, making it perfect for filling gaps between stepping stones, covering slopes, or edging garden beds.

Plus, it naturally suppresses weeds, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted growth taking over.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: Up to 4 inches tall
• Zones: 4-9

2. Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus')

Love creeping thyme but want something more eye-catching? Red creeping thyme offers all the same benefits but with striking deep-red flowers.

It stays low to the ground, creating a carpet-like effect that adds a bold pop of color to your garden.

This variety thrives in dry, poor soils and spreads effortlessly, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, pathways, or even as a grass alternative.

Like its classic counterpart, it’s deer-resistant, attracts pollinators, and releases a wonderful fragrance when crushed underfoot.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: Up to 3 inches tall
• Zones: 3-9

3. Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low' (Catmint)

If you’re looking for a hardy, low-maintenance ground cover that blooms for months, Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ is a great option.

This tough perennial produces tall spikes of purple flowers in early spring and keeps reblooming throughout the season.

Its silver-green foliage is highly fragrant, making it a favorite for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Catmint thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought with ease. It’s also naturally resistant to deer and rabbits, so you won’t have to worry about them munching on your plants.

Use it along pathways, in borders, or as a ground cover to create a soft, flowing look in your garden.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: 12-24 inches tall
• Zones: 3-8

4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender isn’t just a beautiful ground cover—it also fills your garden with a soothing fragrance and attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Its silvery-green leaves stay evergreen year-round, while its iconic purple, pink, or white flowers bloom in summer.

This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soil, making it perfect for dry areas where other plants struggle.

You can plant it along walkways, in borders, or even on slopes to help control erosion. Plus, it’s deer-resistant and can even help repel pests like mosquitoes.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: 12-24 inches tall
• Zones: 5-9

5. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)

If you want a ground cover that bursts into color every spring, moss phlox is a fantastic choice.

It forms a thick, low-growing mat covered in vibrant flowers that range from pink and purple to red, blue, and white. Once in bloom, it creates a stunning carpet of color that lasts for weeks.

Moss phlox thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for rock gardens, slopes, and borders.

Once established, it’s incredibly drought-tolerant and needs little maintenance. Plus, its stiff, needle-like foliage stays green year-round, giving your garden texture even when it’s not in bloom.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: 4-6 inches tall
• Zones: 3-9

6. Lithodora ‘Heavenly Blue' (Lithodora diffusa)

For a pop of deep blue in your garden, Lithodora ‘Heavenly Blue’ is hard to beat. This low-growing perennial is loved for its brilliant cobalt-blue flowers that bloom from late spring into early summer.

The small, dark green leaves provide a beautiful contrast, making the flowers stand out even more.

Lithodora prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can also tolerate partial shade. It’s slow to establish but, once rooted, forms a dense ground cover that helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

This plant works great in rock gardens, along pathways, or cascading over retaining walls.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
• Size: 6-12 inches tall
• Zones: 6-9

7. Soapwort (Saponaria x lempergii)

If you want a fast-spreading ground cover with delicate pink flowers, soapwort is a great choice. This hardy perennial blooms all summer, covering your garden in star-shaped flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

Soapwort thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for rock gardens, slopes, or garden borders.

Once established, it’s highly drought-tolerant and requires very little maintenance. Plus, it forms a soft, green mat that helps suppress weeds and control erosion.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: 6-12 inches tall
• Zones: 3-8

8. Aubretia

Looking for a tough yet colorful ground cover? Aubretia is a low-growing perennial that produces clusters of bright blue, purple, pink, or red flowers in spring.

It cascades beautifully over walls, rock gardens, and slopes, creating a stunning effect.

Aubretia loves full sun and well-drained soil, and once established, it’s incredibly drought-resistant. It’s also deer-resistant and can handle poor, rocky soil, making it a great choice for tough spots where other plants struggle.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, alkaline soil
• Size: 4-9 inches tall
• Zones: 4-9

9. Ice Plant (Delosperma spp.)

If you need a ground cover that thrives in extreme heat and dry conditions, ice plant is a perfect fit.

This sun-loving succulent produces bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, orange, and yellow, blooming all summer long.

Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, making it incredibly drought-tolerant. Ice plant spreads quickly, forming a dense mat that helps prevent soil erosion.

It’s perfect for rock gardens, slopes, or borders, but keep in mind—it doesn’t like wet soil, so good drainage is a must.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, dry soil
• Size: 2-6 inches tall
• Zones: 5-10

10. Turkish Speedwell (Veronica liwanensis)

For a tough, low-growing ground cover that stays under two inches tall, Turkish speedwell is a great option. It forms a thick carpet of tiny green leaves, with clusters of bright blue flowers appearing in spring and early summer.

This plant thrives in full sun and can handle poor, dry soils, making it ideal for rocky areas or slopes. It’s also cold-hardy, so if you live in a region with harsh winters, Turkish speedwell will come back strong each year.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: Up to 2 inches tall
• Zones: 3-8

11. Creeping Sedum (Sedum spp.)

If you want a ground cover that thrives on neglect, creeping sedum is a perfect choice. Also known as stonecrop, this low-growing succulent spreads quickly, forming a thick, weed-suppressing mat.

It comes in a variety of colors and textures, with some varieties producing tiny, star-shaped flowers in summer.

Creeping sedum loves full sun and dry conditions, making it ideal for rock gardens, slopes, and areas where other plants struggle.

It’s also incredibly drought-tolerant, meaning you won’t have to worry about constant watering. Once established, it practically takes care of itself.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, dry, well-drained soil
• Size: 3-6 inches tall
• Zones: 3-9

12. Sedum ‘Angelina' (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina')

For a splash of color year-round, Sedum ‘Angelina’ is a fantastic option. Its spiky, yellow-green foliage turns a stunning reddish-orange in the fall, adding seasonal interest to your garden.

Like other sedums, it’s drought-tolerant, easy to grow, and spreads quickly.

Use it in rock gardens, along pathways, or on slopes where erosion is a problem. It’s also a great choice for container gardens.

Since it stays evergreen in milder climates, you’ll have year-round beauty with very little effort.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: 4-6 inches tall
• Zones: 5-9

13. ‘Blue Carpet' Juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet')

If you want a low-maintenance, evergreen ground cover that looks great all year, ‘Blue Carpet' juniper is a fantastic option.

This hardy conifer spreads across the ground in a dense mat, with soft, silvery-blue foliage that adds a cool-toned touch to your landscape.

Juniper thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for dry areas, slopes, and rock gardens.

It’s highly drought-tolerant once established, and you won’t need to worry about frequent watering or pruning. Plus, it helps with erosion control and provides shelter for small wildlife.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: 6-12 inches tall
• Zones: 4-9

14. Heathers (Erica and Calluna spp.)

Looking for a ground cover that brings color year-round? Heathers are a great choice.

These low-growing evergreen shrubs have needle-like foliage and produce small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. Some varieties bloom in winter, adding color when most other plants are dormant.

Heathers thrive in full sun and acidic, well-drained soil. They work well in borders, rock gardens, or mass plantings, and they’re highly resistant to drought once established.

If you want a reliable, vibrant ground cover that requires minimal care, heathers are an excellent pick.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, acidic, well-drained soil
• Size: 6-24 inches tall (depending on variety)
• Zones: 4-8

15. Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb')

If you need a tough, low-maintenance ground cover that blooms for months, threadleaf coreopsis is a great choice.

This hardy perennial produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers from late spring through summer, bringing warmth and color to your garden.

It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for dry, rocky, or sandy areas where other plants struggle. It’s also incredibly drought-tolerant and can handle extreme heat without wilting.

With its fine, feathery foliage and spreading growth habit, threadleaf coreopsis fills garden beds beautifully while suppressing weeds.

Quick Facts:

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Size: 12-18 inches tall
• Zones: 4-9

Choose the Best Ground Covers!

Ground cover plants are a simple way to add beauty, control weeds, and reduce maintenance in your sunny garden.

Whether you’re looking for colorful flowers, evergreen coverage, or drought-resistant options, there’s a plant that fits your needs.

Before choosing a ground cover, think about your soil type, climate, and how much maintenance you want to do. If you want year-round color, juniper and heathers are great options.

For vibrant seasonal blooms, moss phlox and lithodora will brighten up your space. If you need something that thrives in dry conditions, sedum and ice plant are hard to beat.

By picking the right plants for your space, you’ll create a thriving, low-maintenance landscape that stays beautiful all year long.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which ground cover plants are best for hot, dry areas?

Several ground cover plants thrive in hot, dry conditions. Ice plant, creeping sedum, Turkish speedwell, and creeping thyme are excellent choices because they store moisture efficiently and can handle extended periods without water. These plants are low-maintenance and spread quickly to provide ground coverage even in challenging climates.

2. What are the fastest-growing ground cover plants for full sun?

If you need quick coverage, creeping thyme, moss phlox, soapwort, and aubretia are among the fastest-growing options. These plants establish themselves rapidly, forming dense mats that suppress weeds and improve soil stability. Their rapid growth makes them great choices for filling in bare patches or covering large areas with minimal effort.

3. Can I use ground cover plants to replace grass in sunny areas?

Yes, many ground cover plants can serve as a grass alternative, especially in sunny locations where traditional lawns struggle. Creeping thyme, sedum, and juniper are popular choices for low-maintenance ground coverage. Some, like creeping thyme, can even tolerate light foot traffic, making them suitable for walkways or play areas.

4. Do ground cover plants require a lot of maintenance?

Most ground cover plants require minimal maintenance once established. Drought-tolerant varieties, such as sedum and lavender, need little watering, while evergreen plants like heathers and juniper provide year-round interest with no seasonal dieback. Occasional trimming or dividing may be needed to keep growth under control, but these plants are generally much easier to maintain than traditional garden beds or lawns.

5. What ground cover plants are best for sandy or rocky soil?

Plants that thrive in well-drained, poor soil include threadleaf coreopsis, aubretia, creeping sedum, and Turkish speedwell. These plants have adapted to grow in rocky or sandy environments where other plants might struggle. They help prevent soil erosion while adding color and texture to the landscape.