Popularity, clearly labeled
The Most Popular Groundcovers for Shade
Among groundcovers catalog-rated for shade rather than full sun, these are the genera Sow gardeners save most. Check local invasiveness guidance before choosing a spreading plant.

Bugleweed
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 26 varieties. Glossy rosettes knit together quickly, followed by upright blue spring flowers.
Zones 4–9All 26 varieties →
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 131 varieties. From creeping mats to tall fragrant panicles, phlox fills several garden layers.
Zones 4–8All 131 varieties →
Dead Nettle
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 19 varieties. Silver-marked leaves brighten shade while low stems close gaps beneath taller plants.
Zones 4–8All 19 varieties →
Sedge
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 90 varieties. Sedges offer an exceptional range of textures for weaving through difficult sites.
Zones 5–9All 90 varieties →
Green and Gold
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 3 varieties. Golden daisies brighten a low North American native mat from spring into summer.
Zones 5–8All 3 varieties →
Wintergreen
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Glossy evergreen leaves and bright berries bring small-scale woodland interest.
Zones 4–8All 2 varieties →
Periwinkle
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 6 varieties. Evergreen trailing stems cover difficult shade quickly, where their spread can be bounded.
Zones 4–9All 6 varieties →
Partridge Berry
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 4–9All 1 variety →
Spurge
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 9 varieties. Evergreen leaf whorls make a uniform carpet beneath dense tree canopies.
Zones 4–9All 9 varieties →
Mondo Grass
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 23 varieties. Dark, grassy foliage creates a compact evergreen line in sun or shade.
Zones 4–9All 23 varieties →
11Asarum
Wild Ginger
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 67 varieties. Heart-shaped leaves form a quiet woodland carpet beneath shrubs and trees.
Zones 4–9All 67 varieties →
12Acorus
Sweet Flag
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 14 varieties. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and late spring flowering.
Zones 5–10All 14 varieties →
Kenilworth Ivy
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 4 varieties. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and spring to fall flowering.
Zones 5–9All 4 varieties →
14Viola
Violet / Pansy
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 39 varieties. Small, expressive flowers bring early color and often seed into charming colonies.
Zones 4–8All 39 varieties →
Yellow Archangel
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 4 varieties. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and mid-spring flowering.
Zones 4–9All 4 varieties →
Barren Strawberry
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Its representative is notable for being dry-spell tolerant and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 4–8All 2 varieties →
17Meehania
Meehan's Mint
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and late spring flowering.
Zones 4–8All 2 varieties →
18Isopyrum
False Rue Anemone
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and early spring flowering.
Zones 4–8All 1 variety →
Spikemoss
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 9 varieties. Its representative is notable for being early spring flowering and easy-care.
Zones 4–9All 9 varieties →
20Hedera
Ivy
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 38 varieties. Evergreen leaves cover walls and ground rapidly, where its vigorous spread can be contained.
Zones 4–9All 38 varieties →
About this list
How was this the most popular groundcovers for shade list ranked?
A plant must first match the catalog filters named in the title. Each genus is represented and ranked by its most-saved matching variety, so genera with many cultivars do not receive an automatic advantage.
How fast do groundcovers spread?
The useful ones cover in 2–3 seasons. Faster spreaders exist but read the fine print — anything described as "vigorous" in a catalog can mean "invasive" in a garden.
Track these in your garden
Save the ones you plant and get care reminders timed to your zone.
Keep exploring
Browse & shop
More popularity lists
- Most Popular Perennials for Shade
- Most Popular Deer-Resistant Perennials
- Most Popular Plants Tagged for Pollinators
- Most Popular Drought-Tolerant Plants
- Most Popular Flowering Shrubs
- Most Popular Privacy Shrubs and Screening Plants
- Most Popular North American Native Perennials
- Most Popular Long-Blooming Perennials


