Popularity, clearly labeled
The Most Popular Groundcovers for Shade in Zone 9
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. Every representative here is catalog-rated hardy in Zone 9, whose standard minimum-temperature band begins near 20°F. The popularity ranking is recomputed only among matching Zone 9 records; hardiness alone does not establish that a plant will thrive on a particular site.

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 →
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.
Zones 5–9All 88 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 →
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.
Zones 4–9All 24 varieties →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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.
Zones 4–9All 4 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 →
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 →
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 5–9All 3 varieties →
13Lamium
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 4–9All 19 varieties →
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 →
15Hedera
Ivy
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 37 varieties. Evergreen leaves cover walls and ground rapidly, where its vigorous spread can be contained.
Zones 4–9All 37 varieties →
16Glechoma
Ground Ivy
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Its representative is notable for being late spring flowering and easy-care.
Zones 4–9All 2 varieties →
Saxifrage
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 6 varieties. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and late spring flowering.
Zones 7–9All 6 varieties →
Cast Iron Plant
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 40 varieties. Its representative is notable for being late summer flowering and easy-care.
Zones 4–9All 40 varieties →
Star Jasmine
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 5 varieties. Glossy evergreen leaves and intensely fragrant white flowers refine a warm wall.
Zones 7–9All 5 varieties →
Spiderwort
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 25 varieties. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 9–10All 25 varieties →
About this list
How was this the most popular groundcovers for shade in zone 9 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.
Are all of these hardy in Zone 9?
Yes — every plant on this list is rated for Zone 9. Plants that could not survive a Zone 9 winter were excluded before ranking.
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 Zone 9.
Keep exploring
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 Groundcovers for Shade
- Most Popular Privacy Shrubs and Screening Plants
- Most Popular North American Native Perennials


