10 Best Ground Cover For Florida (2024 Update)

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If you're looking to spruce up your garden or landscape in Florida, choosing the right ground cover is crucial. Ground covers, as the name suggests, are low-growing plants that cover the ground and help reduce soil erosion, retain moisture, and suppress weed growth. However, finding the right ground cover for Florida's unique climate can be a challenge. To help you out, we've put together a short guide on five key points to consider when looking for ground cover for Florida.

Firstly, it's essential to consider the climate zone you're in. Florida has a diverse range of climate zones, ranging from subtropical to tropical, which can have a significant impact on the type of ground cover you choose. Secondly, you should consider the amount of sun or shade your garden or landscape receives. Some ground covers thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial or full shade.

Thirdly, it's important to think about the soil type in your area. Florida's soil can vary, from sandy to clay-like, and some ground covers may not be suitable for certain soil types. Fourthly, you should consider the maintenance requirements of the ground cover you choose. Some ground covers require little maintenance, while others need regular watering, pruning, or fertilizing.

Lastly, consider the purpose of your ground cover. Are you looking for a low-maintenance option to fill in gaps in your landscape, or do you want a ground cover that will attract pollinators or provide groundcover for a specific area? By considering these five key points, you'll be better equipped to choose the right ground cover for your Florida garden or landscape.

10 Best Ground Cover For Florida

1. Blue Rug Juniper – 60 Live Plants – Drought Tolerant Cold Hardy Evergreen Ground Cover

The Blue Rug Juniper is a popular and versatile evergreen ground cover that is drought-tolerant and cold-hardy, making it an excellent choice for landscaping in various climates. With its full-centered growth habit and intense silver-blue foliage, this trailing juniper is perfect for large-scale groundcovers or cascading over walls.

The foliage of the Blue Rug Juniper is similar to most groundcover junipers, with heavy texture and good color year-round. In extremely cold climates during winter, there may be a slight purple cast, but this will quickly change back to its normal color with the onset of warmer temperatures in the spring.

This evergreen ground cover is easy to grow, but it does require regular watering to ensure the growth of a mature root system. Once established, it needs occasional watering, except during a drought when regular watering is necessary. It is recommended to prune the plant only in its early stages of growth to encourage branching, as pruning older branches may not promote new growth.

The Blue Rug Juniper is a versatile and sprawling ground cover that is suitable for various landscape applications, including rock gardens, foundations, retaining wall edges, mass on slopes for erosion control, and rocky ground. It is also ideal for hot and dry areas, where other plants may struggle to survive.

Florida Foliage is the exclusive grower, packager, and shipper of the Blue Rug Juniper. The plants are grown with care to ensure their quality and longevity. With 60 live plants per order, you can cover a large area of your landscape with ease. Order your Blue Rug Juniper today and enjoy the beauty and benefits of this stunning evergreen ground cover.

2. 60 Live Asiatic Jasmine Minima Plants – Drought Tolerant Ground Cover

Asiatic Jasmine Minima is a popular groundcover plant that is well-known for its hardiness and drought tolerance. This evergreen vine-like woody plant is native to Japan and Korea and is commonly used in landscapes due to its low maintenance requirements and attractive appearance. It is grown, packaged, and shipped exclusively by Florida Foliage.

This plant is an ideal choice for those who want a beautiful garden without the hard work. It is great for mass plantings and turfgrass alternatives, providing much-needed texture and variation in shady areas. Once established, Asiatic Jasmine Minima requires very little maintenance to keep it looking nice. It is often used in areas where turfgrass won't grow as it suppresses weed growth and tolerates many growing conditions.

Asiatic Jasmine Minima requires little mowing, but occasional trimming of its edges is necessary. It is not suitable for high traffic areas as it does not withstand foot traffic well. This plant is easier to control when neglected, and too much water, sun, or fertilizer can make it aggressive and unruly.

This groundcover is salt-tolerant and can be grown in coastal areas. It is also versatile and can be grown in containers and hanging baskets. Few pests or diseases bother this sturdy groundcover, and it rarely requires pesticides. It is somewhat drought-tolerant, and once established, it does not require irrigation as long as there is normal rainfall.

Asiatic Jasmine Minima is often selected for use in difficult-to-maintain places with harsh environments such as traffic islands and urban plantings. Its hardiness and drought tolerance make it an ideal choice for those looking for a low maintenance groundcover that provides an attractive alternative to turfgrass.

3. 60 Fully Rooted Ornamental Peanut Grass Plants – Low Maintenance, Drought Tolerant Groundcover (Arachis Glabrata)

Ornamental Peanut Grass is a highly drought-resistant and low-maintenance groundcover that has recently gained popularity due to its multiple benefits. Florida Foliage, a renowned grower and supplier of ornamental plants, offers 60 live fully rooted plants of Arachis Glabrata, the botanical name of Ornamental Peanut Grass.

This groundcover has minimal fertilizer requirements and is highly resistant to pathogens, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective choice. It is a forage legume that can be grazed upon or used as a high-value hay crop. Additionally, it has been used as a cover crop in citrus farming. The multiple cultivars of Ornamental Peanut Grass make it ideal for home landscapes as well.

One of the significant advantages of Ornamental Peanut Grass is that it is a rhizome perennial, which means it is long-lived and does not require replanting once established. It may suppress weed growth, reduce nutrient leaching, and add nitrogen and organic matter to the soil, making it a beneficial addition to any landscape. However, like all cover crops, it has the potential to compete with trees for water and nitrogen.

Ornamental Peanut Grass is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. It blooms with bright yellow flowers from spring to first frost, adding a pop of color to any landscape. This hardy perennial does not require supplemental water after establishment, making it an ideal choice for regions with low rainfall. Since it belongs to the peanut family, it makes its nitrogen, eliminating the need for nitrogen fertilizers. Moreover, it has no known pests or diseases, making it an excellent groundcover of choice.

Ornamental Peanut Grass is an ideal choice for those who want to add functionality and beauty to their landscape. Its high resistance to drought, minimal maintenance requirements, and beneficial qualities make it an eco-friendly and cost-effective choice. With 60 live fully rooted plants, Florida Foliage offers a convenient and straightforward way to incorporate this groundcover into any landscape.

4. Juniper Procumbens Nana – 30 Live Plants – Drought Tolerant Cold Hardy Evergreen Ground Cover

The Juniper Procumbens Nana is a hardy and drought-tolerant evergreen ground cover that comes in a pack of 30 live plants. This plant is characterized by its dense, low-growing branches that radiate from the center. The new growth is a bright green color, which turns into a bluish-green shade as it matures. During the winter, the foliage takes on a purple tint, adding a splash of color to any garden.

This evergreen plant is perfect for a group planting on a rocky slope or trained into an upright staked specimen. It is also an excellent choice as a ground cover due to its superb foliage and form, which looks stunning when left unpruned. The Juniper Procumbens Nana is an adaptable plant that can grow in a wide range of soils. However, it prefers a dryish, sandy soil and can tolerate hot, dry growing conditions, somewhat poor soils, and many city air pollutants.

The Juniper Procumbens Nana is a dwarf, less vigorous form of the Juniper plant. It features spiny-pointed blue-green needles that are around 1/3” long. Typically, it grows between 8-12” tall and spreads to 6’ wide over time. During the winter, the foliage may turn purplish, adding a touch of color to your garden.

This versatile and sprawling ground cover is perfect for a range of uses, including rock gardens, foundations, slopes, mass plantings, and cascading over retaining walls. With its ability to tolerate hot and dry locations in full sun, the Juniper Procumbens Nana is an excellent choice for gardens in warmer climates.

All 30 live plants are grown, packaged, and shipped exclusively by Florida Foliage, ensuring that you receive healthy and high-quality plants. Whether you are looking to add some color to your garden or create a low-maintenance ground cover, the Juniper Procumbens Nana is an excellent choice that will thrive in a range of conditions.

5. Juniper Blue Pacific – 30 Live Plants – Drought Tolerant Cold Hardy Evergreen Ground Cover

The Juniper Blue Pacific is a highly sought-after evergreen plant that serves as a superb groundcover or specimen. This fast-growing plant features a low-spreading form with dense blue-green foliage that maintains its vibrant hue year-round. Its needles are shorter and denser than other junipers, creating a low-trailing growth habit that spreads up to 2-3 feet and grows up to 6 inches tall.

This variety of juniper is notably heat tolerant and can be used in a variety of landscape applications, including groundcover, seashore planting, planter boxes, and draped over walls. Its easy-to-grow nature makes it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

While the Juniper Blue Pacific is drought tolerant, it requires regular watering in the early stages of growth to establish a mature root system. Once established, this plant only needs occasional watering, except during drought periods when watering should be done regularly. Pruning once or twice a year around the edges is recommended to maintain a full, healthy plant.

This evergreen plant is very hardy and one of the most widely used junipers for groundcover applications across the country. Its low-maintenance nature and hardiness make it a popular choice for landscapers and homeowners alike.

Florida Foliage is proud to offer Juniper Blue Pacific plants that are grown, packaged, and shipped with care to ensure their health and vitality upon arrival. With 30 live plants in each package, you can cover a large area with ease and enjoy the beauty and benefits of this stunning evergreen plant.

6. Blue Rug Juniper – 30 Live Plants – 4" Container Low Maintenance Evergreen Ground Cover

The Blue Rug Juniper is a low-maintenance, evergreen ground cover that is perfect for mass plantings and erosion control. The plant is grown, packaged, and shipped exclusively by Florida Foliage, ensuring that customers receive healthy and high-quality plants. Each plant comes in a larger 4" container size, making them a great value for the price.

One of the advantages of the Blue Rug Juniper is its tolerance for drought, cold weather, and deer. This makes it a great choice for homeowners who want a beautiful and durable ground cover that can withstand harsh conditions. Additionally, the plant's vibrant blue-green foliage adds a unique touch to any landscape design.

The Blue Rug Juniper is also fast-growing, which means that it will quickly fill in empty spaces and provide coverage for bare soil. This makes it an excellent choice for erosion control, as it can help prevent soil from washing away during heavy rains or wind. Furthermore, the plant's low-growing habit and dense foliage make it an effective weed suppressor, reducing the need for herbicides or other chemical treatments.

Florida Foliage takes great care to package and ship each Blue Rug Juniper plant in a fast, safe, and secure manner. This ensures that customers receive healthy, vibrant plants that are ready to thrive in their new environment. The company also provides helpful tips and advice on planting, care, and maintenance to help customers get the most out of their purchase.

In conclusion, the Blue Rug Juniper is a versatile and durable ground cover that is perfect for homeowners who want a low-maintenance, evergreen plant that can withstand harsh conditions. With its vibrant blue-green foliage, fast growth, and ability to control erosion, this plant is a great choice for any landscaping project. And with Florida Foliage's commitment to quality and customer service, customers can rest assured that they are getting the best possible plants for their money.

7. Asiatic Jasmine Minima – 30 Live Plants – Low Maintenance Evergreen Ground Cover

Asiatic Jasmine Minima is a popular evergreen groundcover that is widely used in landscaping due to its hardiness and drought tolerance. This vine-like woody plant is native to Japan and Korea and is perfect for those who want an attractive garden without having to put in a lot of hard work. It is a low maintenance plant that is great for mass plantings and turfgrass alternatives.

Once established, Asiatic Jasmine requires very little maintenance to keep it looking nice. It is often used in areas where turfgrass won't grow, as it can tolerate many different growing conditions and suppresses weed growth. This versatile plant is an ideal choice for those looking for a cost-effective and low-maintenance solution to landscaping.

Asiatic Jasmine is a great addition to shady areas as it provides needed texture and variation. It is also salt tolerant, making it great for coastal areas. This plant is easier to control when neglected, so it is important to not overwater, over-fertilize, or expose it to too much sun, as this can make it aggressive and unruly.

While it requires little mowing, Asiatic Jasmine should be trimmed occasionally to maintain its edges. It is important to note that it is not tolerant of foot traffic, so it should be used in low traffic areas.

This product is grown, packaged and shipped exclusively by Florida Foliage, ensuring that you receive high-quality plants that are ready to be planted in your garden. Asiatic Jasmine is also versatile enough to be grown in containers and hanging baskets, making it a great option for those with limited garden space.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a low maintenance, evergreen groundcover that is hardy and drought tolerant, Asiatic Jasmine Minima is an excellent choice. Its versatility and ease of maintenance make it a popular choice among landscapers and homeowners alike.

8. 60 Fully Rooted Asiatic Jasmine Minima Ground Cover Plants With Soil.

Asiatic Jasmine Minima is a popular evergreen vine-like woody plant that is widely used as a groundcover due to its hardiness and drought tolerance. This plant is native to Japan and Korea, and is ideal for people who want an attractive garden without much hard work.

Florida Foliage grows, packages, and ships these plants exclusively. With 60 live plants that are fully rooted with soil, customers can expect healthy and thriving plants upon arrival.

Once established, Asiatic jasmine requires minimal maintenance to keep it looking nice. It is commonly used in areas where turfgrass won't grow, as it can tolerate many growing conditions and suppresses weed growth. It is ideal for mass plantings and turfgrass alternatives, and provides much-needed texture and variation in shady areas.

Trimming the edges of the plant occasionally is all that is needed to keep it in check. It should be used in low traffic areas as it is not able to withstand foot traffic well. However, if neglected, it is easier to control. Too much water, sun, or fertilizer can make it aggressive and unruly.

One of the best things about Asiatic jasmine is its versatility. It is salt-tolerant and can be grown in coastal areas. This plant can even be grown in containers and hanging baskets. It is a vigorous twining or sprawling vine, making it an effective groundcover, or it can be given support to climb a fence, trellis, or arbor. It is also good for cascading planters.

Overall, Asiatic Jasmine Minima is a perfect high-maintenance turf alternative that provides a lush and attractive groundcover. With its hardiness, drought tolerance, and minimal maintenance requirements, it is an ideal plant for those who want an easy-to-care-for garden that is still beautiful and eye-catching.

9. Super Blue Liriope Muscari – 40 Live Plants – Evergreen Ground Cover Grass

The Super Blue Liriope Muscari is a stunning evergreen ground cover grass that is best known for its vibrant blue-purple flower spikes that rise above its tufted, grass-like foliage in the summer. This improved variety of the more common Big Blue Liriope is an excellent choice for those who want a plant that can tolerate more direct sunlight and can grow to be up to 20 inches tall.

Grown, packaged, and shipped exclusively by Florida Foliage, the Super Blue Liriope Muscari is a hard-working shrub that can be used as a border, edging plant, or in a mass planting. It is also exceptional as a container plant, lush border, or pathway edging, and grows well in hard-to-grow places such as banks and slopes, driveways, or filling in gaps between shrubs.

This plant prefers moist, loamy soil and partially shaded areas, but will tolerate dry soil areas once established. The liriope is quite tough and is both heat and drought tolerant. Its flowers bloom best in a sunny location. Once established, it requires very little maintenance.

Not to be confused with the "Big Blue" Liriope, Super Blue has a more vigorous growth habit and can tolerate more direct sunlight. It is one of the least invasive of the Liriope family and responds well to splitting and transplanting efforts. This liriope variety prefers moist, loose soil that is fertilized and well-drained and can tolerate dry soil conditions once established. It is heat tolerant, drought tolerant, and salt spray tolerant.

The Super Blue Liriope Muscari is known for spreading, making it an excellent ground cover option. Its attractive, tufted arching, grass-like foliage is evergreen, meaning it will look beautiful all year round. The blue flower spikes are followed by clusters of black berries, adding to the plant's visual interest.

In summary, the Super Blue Liriope Muscari is an exceptional evergreen ground cover grass that is perfect for those who want a stunning and low-maintenance plant. Its abundant blue-purple flower spikes, vigorous growth habit, and tolerance of direct sunlight make it an excellent choice for borders, edging plants, and mass plantings. It is also a great option for container planting and can grow in hard-to-grow places. Its heat and drought tolerance, as well as its salt spray tolerance, make it a perfect option for those who want a low-maintenance plant that can withstand harsh conditions.

Best Ground Cover For Florida FAQs

Are there any ground covers that attract pollinators in Florida?

Yes, there are several ground covers that attract pollinators in Florida. Some of the popular choices include:

1. Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) – This low-growing plant produces yellow flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

2. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) – Creeping phlox produces pink, white, or lavender-colored flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

3. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Goldenrod produces yellow flowers that are a favorite of bees and butterflies.

4. Wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) – This native plant produces purple flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds.

5. Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium spp.) – Blue-eyed grass produces small, blue flowers that are a favorite of bees and butterflies.

These ground covers not only provide food for pollinators but also help to prevent soil erosion and reduce the need for mowing or other maintenance.

Can ground covers help control erosion in Florida landscapes?

Yes, ground covers can help control erosion in Florida landscapes. Ground covers are low-lying plants that grow close to the ground and cover the soil, reducing the impact of raindrops and wind on the soil surface, which can cause erosion. Ground covers also help to absorb water and prevent runoff, keeping soil in place. In addition, their root systems help to anchor the soil and bind it together, making it less likely to erode.

In Florida, where heavy rainfall and coastal erosion are common, ground covers like beach sunflower, sea oats, and railroad vine are often used to protect shorelines and stabilize slopes. In residential landscapes, ground covers like Asiatic jasmine, liriope, and mondo grass can be used to prevent erosion on steep slopes or in areas where runoff is a problem. Proper selection and placement of ground covers can help prevent erosion and protect Florida's fragile ecosystems.

How do I choose the right ground cover for my Florida yard?

When choosing the right ground cover for your Florida yard, there are a few factors to consider. First, it's important to select a ground cover that can tolerate the hot and humid climate of Florida. Some options to consider include Asiatic jasmine, liriope, and mondo grass. Additionally, you'll want to consider the amount of sunlight and water your yard receives. For example, if your yard gets a lot of shade, you may want to select a ground cover that can thrive in those conditions. Finally, consider the purpose of the ground cover – are you looking for something that will provide erosion control, a decorative element, or a low-maintenance option? By taking these factors into account, you can choose the right ground cover for your Florida yard that meets your needs and thrives in your specific climate and growing conditions.

What are some drought-tolerant ground covers for Florida?

Florida is known for its hot and dry weather, which can make it challenging for ground covers to thrive. However, there are several drought-tolerant options that can withstand these conditions. One popular choice is succulents, such as sedum and ice plant, which are known for their ability to store water in their leaves. Another option is the silver ponyfoot, a low-growing plant that spreads quickly and requires little water. Additionally, creeping thyme and creeping juniper are both hardy choices that can tolerate heat and drought.

It's important to note that even drought-tolerant ground covers will need some water during periods of extreme heat or drought. However, choosing plants that are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions can help reduce the need for irrigation and ensure a thriving garden.

What are the best ground covers for Florida's hot and humid climate?

As Florida experiences hot and humid weather for most of the year, it is essential to choose the right ground covers that can tolerate such conditions. Some of the best ground covers for Florida's climate include Asiatic jasmine, beach sunflower, blue daze, dwarf mondo grass, and Lantana. Asiatic jasmine is a hardy and low-maintenance ground cover that can tolerate full sun and drought conditions. Beach sunflower is another popular choice that can thrive in sandy soils and is resistant to salt spray. Blue daze is a low-growing plant that produces blue flowers and can tolerate both sun and shade. Dwarf mondo grass is a slow-growing ground cover that is ideal for shaded areas, and Lantana is a colorful and drought-resistant plant that can attract butterflies and hummingbirds. These ground covers can help reduce soil erosion, prevent weed growth, and enhance the beauty of your landscape.

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