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Every garden has those tricky spots. Whether it’s the slope that's too steep to mow or that shady spot under the gum tree where nothing grows. Ground cover plants transform these problem areas into low-maintenance garden features. They’re the unlikely heroes of landscape design, spreading to fill bare soil, suppressing weeds, preventing erosion, and looking great while they do it.
The trick is choosing the right plant for your climate, soil and sun exposure. Here in Melbourne, that means looking for hardy ground cover plants that can handle cool winters, dry summers, clay soils and the occasional coastal breeze.
Below, we’ve rounded up ten of the best ground cover plants to grow in Melbourne, including options for full sun, shade, coastal locations, slopes, and cottage gardens.
What are ground cover plants?
A ground cover plant is a low-growing plant that forms a natural living carpet over the soil. They’re generally less than 30cm tall, growing along the ground rather than vertically towards the sun. Instead of growing tall, it spreads to create a dense layer of foliage that:
- Suppresses weeds naturally
- Protects soil from erosion and heat
- Helps retain moisture and reduce evaporation
- Creates a softer, greener look than mulch alone
- Can be used as a feature, filler, border or living pathway.
Ground covers come in many forms: native, flowering, evergreen, ornamental, fast-spreading, and drought-tolerant. So, there’s always an option to suit your garden style and conditions.
What ground cover plants should I choose for my garden?
With so many varieties available, the best ground cover plant for your garden depends on your soil, sunlight, water availability, and how quickly you want coverage. Below, we’ve put together our top ten reliable favourites that perform well in Melbourne’s conditions, from shade-loving options to hardy sun-seekers.
Quick links to find what you’re looking for:
Use this quick reference guide to find the right ground cover plant for your needs, whether you're planting for colour, low water use, sun-exposed spaces, or set-and-forget gardening.
Fast-growing ground cover plants
Dichondra, Pigface, Creeping Boobialla, Dampiera, Lobelia, and Trailing Pratia are known for spreading quickly once established, making them ideal for filling bare areas fast.
Drought-tolerant ground cover plants
Dichondra, Dampiera, Hardenbergia, Pigface, Creeping Boobialla, and Asiatic Jasmine are all hardened to dry, low-watering conditions and can handle full sunlight and reflective heat.
Flowering ground cover plants
Dampiera, Pigface, Hardenbergia, Trailing Pratia, and Creeping Boobialla provide seasonal colour and visual interest, making them ideal for softening borders or brightening up your garden.
Low-maintenance ground cover plants
Trailing Pratia, Creeping Boobialla, Pigface, Dichondra, and Asiatic Jasmine grow reliably with minimal pruning or fuss. They’re great choices if you want long-term coverage without constant upkeep.
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1. Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed)
A lush, low-growing native that forms a dense carpet and thrives in shaded or cooler parts of the garden. If you need ground cover for a retaining wall, choose Dichondra Silver Falls.
Best for: Lawn alternative, shaded lawns, or between pavers.
Light: Full shade to part shade.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Soft, dense carpet that naturally suppresses weeds.
- Handles light foot traffic better than most ground covers.
- Ideal for shaded Melbourne gardens and underplanting.
Note: Prefers lightly moist soil, not full hot sun.
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2. Trachelospermum asiaticum (Asiatic Jasmine)
A hardy, evergreen ground cover that forms a low, dense carpet of glossy leaves. It spreads evenly and creates excellent weed suppression.
Best for: Borders, mass planting, slopes, or evergreen weed-suppressing cover.
Light: Full sun to part shade.
Growth speed: Moderate.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Naturally low-growing and easy to shape into tidy coverage.
- Spreads densely, providing strong weed suppression.
- Evergreen foliage offers year-round structure and colour.
- Handles Melbourne’s dry summers once established.
Note: Light seasonal trimming is needed to keep growth low and spreading.
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3. Dichondra (Silver Falls)
A striking, silver-leafed trailing plant that cascades beautifully over edges, rockeries, or raised beds, bringing instant texture and interest to sunny spaces.
Best for: Retaining walls, pots, raised beds, or rockeries.
Light: Full sun to light shade.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Silvery foliage gives a modern, coastal-inspired look.
- Highly heat and drought-tolerant once established.
- Drapes and trails rather than climbing, perfect for layered landscaping.
Note: Performs best in well-drained soil and sunny, open spaces.
4. Lobelia pedunculata (Lobelia)
A fast-spreading native ground cover loved for its tiny leaves and abundance of delicate blue flowers, ideal for shaded or partially shaded gardens.
Best for: Shady courtyards, under trees, or cottage garden beds.
Light: Full shade to part shade.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Produces soft, natural-looking green coverage.
- Masses of small blue flowers add whimsical colour.
- Thrives in cool, moist areas where many plants struggle.
Note: Prefers reliable moisture. Not ideal for hot, dry, exposed sites.
5. Dampiera diversifolia (Dampiera)
A low-maintenance native that produces vibrant purple-blue flowers, thriving in well-drained soil and sunny garden positions.
Best for: Native gardens, gravel gardens, or low-water landscapes.
Light: Full sun to part shade.
Growth speed: Moderate.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Vivid, long-lasting flowers through spring and summer.
- Naturally low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.
- Works perfectly with Australian natives and rockeries.
Note: Avoid boggy soil. This plant prefers free-draining sites.
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6. Pratia pedunculata (Trailing Pratia)
A fine-textured, low-growing ground cover that forms a soft green carpet dotted with small star-shaped flowers through the warmer months.
Best for: Shaded borders, stepping-stone paths, or cottage-style garden beds.
Light: Part shade to full shade.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Produces delicate flowers across Spring and Summer.
- Thrives in cool, moist conditions where other plants struggle.
- Suitable for light foot traffic between pavers or stones.
Note: Keep soil lightly moist, especially during hot, dry periods.
7. Hardenbergia violacea (Hardenbergia)
A ground-hugging alternative to the classic climbing form, producing beautiful pea-shaped purple flowers that spread across banks and open ground.
Best for: Slopes, embankments, or native gardens.
Light: Full sun to part shade.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Provides excellent natural weed suppression.
- Flowers spectacularly in late winter and early spring.
- Australian native and wildlife friendly.
Note: Choose a prostrate cultivar to ensure low and spreading growth.
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8. Carpobrotus Rossii (Pigface)
A tough, succulent-leafed native ground cover that thrives in heat, sandy soils, and coastal areas, producing vibrant daisy-like flowers.
Best for: Coastal gardens, hot spots, sandy or poor soils.
Light: Full sun.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Very drought and heat-tolerant.
- Bright flowers and fleshy foliage add summer impact.
- Excellent for erosion control and weed suppression.
Note: can spread vigorously. Perfect for open spaces.
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9. Viola Hederacea (Native Violet)
A soft, low-growing, shade-loving native that forms a carpet of delicate purple and white flowers, ideal for cooler, sheltered garden spaces.
Best for: Shaded beds, stepping-stone paths, or underplanting.
Light: Part shade to full shade.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Lush, non-invasive spread in cool, moist areas.
- Produces flowers for much of the year.
- Safe around pets and children.
Note: Not suited to hot, dry or exposed garden spots.
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10. Myoporum Parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla)
One of Australia’s toughest native ground covers, spreading quickly to form dense coverage ideal for larger sunny areas or sloping sites.
Best for: Sun-exposed areas, nature strips, embankments, or coastal gardens.
Light: Full sun.
Growth speed: Fast.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Excellent long-term erosion and weed control
- Tolerates drought, coastal winds, and poor soils
- Spreads widely with minimal care once established
Note: Requires space, and can cover several metres over time.
Ready to choose your ground cover?
With the right ground cover, even the most awkward corners of your garden can become some of its best features. Choosing plants that match your light, soil and watering habits will give you a lush, low-maintenance carpet of green. If you need help choosing the right plant for your garden’s soil, space or sunlight, visit us in-store and chat with our friendly team.
