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.

Ranked by gardener savesOne representative per genus
  1. Phlox

    Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 132 varieties. From creeping mats to tall fragrant panicles, phlox fills several garden layers.

  2. Dead Nettle

    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.

  3. Bugleweed

    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.

  4. Sedge

    Sedge

    Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 88 varieties. Sedges offer an exceptional range of textures for weaving through difficult sites.

  5. Green and Gold

    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.

  6. Wintergreen

    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.

  7. Periwinkle

    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.

  8. Mondo Grass

    Mondo Grass

    Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 24 varieties. Dark, grassy foliage creates a compact evergreen line in sun or shade.

  9. Wild Ginger

    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.

  10. Spurge

    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.

  11. Partridge Berry

    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.

  12. Sweet Flag

    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.

  13. Brass Buttons

    Brass Buttons

    Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 4 varieties. Fern-like miniature foliage forms an intricate mat around pavers and stones.

  14. Kenilworth Ivy

    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.

  15. Violet / Pansy

    Violet / Pansy

    Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 35 varieties. Small, expressive flowers bring early color and often seed into charming colonies.

  16. Barren Strawberry

    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.

  17. False Rue Anemone

    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.

  18. Yellow Archangel

    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.

  19. Meehan's Mint

    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.

  20. Spikemoss

    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.

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.

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Save the ones you plant and get care reminders timed to your zone.

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