16 Florida Ground Cover Plants that Thrive in Sun and Shade

Florida ground cover plants are a great option for low-maintenance landscaping that still provides beauty and function. In this article, we’ll discuss 16 of the best Florida ground cover plants for sunlight or shade that require little upkeep yet keep your yard gorgeous year-round. Whether you want colorful blooms, interesting foliage, or crawl-and-cover plants to fill in those blank spaces, there are diverse ground covers for every garden style.

So read on to discover low-maintenance options from succulents and ivies to creepers and ferns – all tough plants that will thrive with hardly any effort from you, gently covering your Florida garden with their leafy wonders.

Florida Ground Cover Plants Perfect for Shade Gardens

1. Irish Moss

Irish Moss is an evergreen ground cover plant that thrives in shade Florida gardens.

Irish moss spreads via trailing stems that root wherever they touch the soil, forming a dense, low-growing carpet of foliage. The oblong leaves are deep green on top and lighter green underneath. Irish moss prefers humid conditions and requires little care once established. The main pests to watch for are snails and slugs that can damage the leaves.

2. Creeping Fig 

Creeping fig is an ideal spreading groundcover for Florida, thriving in full sun to deep shade. The oval leaves of the creeping fig are dark green on top and lighter on the underside. 

This foliage ground cover adapts well to various soil types but prefers moist, well-draining soil. Creeping fig spreads rapidly via stems that root where they contact the soil. The main pest issue can be aphids, which cause yellowing or distortion of the new growth.

3. Moneywort

Moneywort is a perfect Florida ground cover plant for shady spots, spreading quickly to form a dense low carpet. The round, deep green leaves of moneywort arise from creeping woody stems.

This evergreen perennial thrives in moist, well-draining soil with partial to full shade. Moneywort spreads rapidly via aerial roots and stems runners. The glossy foliage has good pest and disease resistance, though leaf spot fungus can be an issue in wet weather.

In spring and summer, moneywort produces small yellow flowers that add a pop of color. Once established, moneywort requires little care other than occasional weeding and watering during drought. It’s a versatile, tough ground cover that’s suitable for shady borders, underneath trees, or amongst shrubs.

4. English Ivy

English ivy is a classic Florida ground cover plant that thrives in full sun to deep shade. The oval, dark green leaves of English ivy arrange alternately on four-sided woody stems. This evergreen vine grows rapidly via surface runners and aerial roots from the nodes. English ivy adapts well to different soil types but prefers well-draining, consistently moist soil.

In spring and summer, English ivy produces small greenish-yellow flowers that are followed by blue-black berries. Once established, this vigorous ground cover requires little care though occasional trimming to contain its growth may be needed. The thick foliage of English ivy makes it drought and pest resistant, thriving in neglected conditions for decades. It’s a good choice for shady borders, patios, and under trees.

5. Creeping Jenny 

Creeping jenny is a versatile Florida ground cover plant, thriving in the sun or shade and covering garden beds in trailing stems and colorful foliage. The round leaves of creeping jenny are bright green and arranged alternately along four-angled stems. This perennial vine grows via surface runners and roots at the nodes. Creeping jenny does best in moist, well-draining soil and partial shade. 

In spring and summer, creeping jenny produces tiny white or lavender flowers. After flowering, the foliage often turns purple, red, or bronze. Once established, creeping jenny requires minimal care though removing faded flowers and old foliage may encourage new growth. The main pest issue can be root rot in overly wet soil.

With its attractive foliage and adaptability, creeping jenny makes an excellent low-growing ground cover for beds, pathways, slopes, or rock gardens in Florida. Its colorful mats of growth provide visual interest year-round.

6. Cross Vine

Cross Vine is an ideal Florida ground cover plant for hot, sunny areas, thriving in heat and humidity with minimal care. The heart-shaped leaves of the cross vine arrange oppositely along square stems. This evergreen climbing vine has glossy foliage that thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Cross vine spreads rapidly via surface runners and aerial rootlets from the nodes.

In summer, the cross vine produces funnel-shaped purple flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Once established, little care is needed though pruning to contain its growth may be required. Cross vine’s thick foliage makes it resistant to most pests though leaf miner bugs can cause damage by tunneling underneath the leaves.

With its ability to blanket walls, fences, trellises, and ground surfaces in lush greenery, the cross vine is a good choice for hot, sunny spots in Florida gardens. Its fast growth rate and tolerance to heat and drought make it an essentially worry-free ground cover plant option.

7. Spider Plant

Spider plant makes an excellent evergreen ground cover for Florida, thriving in full sun to partial shade with minimal care.

The long, narrow leaves of spider plants arise from numerous plantlets that form at the base of the main plant. This perennial herbaceous plant prefers well-draining soil and moderate watering. Spider plant spreads via underground rhizomes and surface runners, forming a dense mat of foliage.

8. Asiatic Jasmine 

Asiatic jasmine is an ideal ground cover vine for Florida, thriving in full sun and spreading quickly to form a dense mat of foliage. The oval, glossy leaves of Asiatic jasmine arrange oppositely along square stems. This evergreen climber does best in well-draining soil and prefers consistently moist conditions. Asiatic jasmine spreads rapidly via surface runners and rootlets at the nodes.

In spring and summer, Asiatic jasmine produces clusters of sweetly fragrant white flowers. After flowering, the vines may require pruning to contain their growth. Once established, this vigorous vine needs little other care though spider mites can become an issue during hot, dry spells.

With its fast growth rate and abundance of fragrant flowers, Asiatic jasmine makes an attractive option for ground cover in Florida gardens. Its glossy foliage provides visual interest year-round and spreads quickly to carpet walls, trellises, and unsightly areas. Asiatic jasmine’s scent and dense canopy also help cool surrounding areas.

9. Lantana 

The round leaves of lantana arise on woody square stems. This drought-tolerant perennial shrub prefers well-draining soil and moderate watering. Lantana spreads via underground rhizomes and surface runners, forming dense thickets of foliage.

Throughout the year, lantana produces clusters of colorful flowers in yellow, orange, pink, red, or lavender shades. The fragrant blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Once established, lantana requires minimal care though pruning after flowering may encourage additional blooms. The main pest issue is whiteflies that suck plant juices and secrete honeydew.

With its ability to spread rapidly and smother weeds, lantana makes a good choice for hot, sunny edges, slopes, and path sides. The myriad of colorful flowers provide nectar for pollinators and visual interest year-round. Lantana’s low, dense growth habit and tolerance of poor soil also make it suitable as an ornamental ground cover plant.

10. Purple Heart 

Purple Heart is a colorful, low-growing ground cover option for Florida gardens thriving in sun or shade with minimal care. The heart-shaped, purple glossy leaves of purple hearts arrange in pairs on square stems. This evergreen perennial vine does best in consistently moist, well-draining soil and partial shade. 

Purple hearts spread via surface stolons and underground rhizomes, forming dense mats of foliage.

With proper care, purple hearts will bloom into small lavender or white flowers in spring and summer. Once established, this vine requires minimal upkeep though removing faded flowers and old foliage may encourage new growth. The thick foliage makes purple hearts resistant to most pests and diseases. Also, it can be easily transplanted.

11. Society Garlic 

Society garlic is an ideal spreading ground cover plant for shady Florida gardens, thriving with minimal care once established. The linear, blue-green leaves of society garlic arise from underground bulbs in grass-like clumps. This herbaceous perennial groundcover prefers full shade and well-draining soil that is consistently moist. Society garlic spreads rapidly via bulb offshoots and surface runners, forming a dense mat of foliage.

In spring and early summer, society garlic produces tall stalks topped with clusters of fragrant white flowers. After flowering, the thick foliage persists year-round, requiring little care other than an occasional trim. Society garlic’s thick leaves make it resistant to most pests and diseases.

With its ability to spread quickly and crowd out weeds, society garlic is a good choice for filling in shady spots, covering slopes, or planting amongst shrubs and perennials in Florida gardens. Its neat clumps of blue-green foliage provide ample ground cover and require no fertilizer or pesticides once established.

12. Algerian Ivy

Algerian ivy is a versatile Florida ground cover plant suited to hot, sunny areas, spreading quickly to smother weeds with minimal care. The heart-shaped leaves of Algerian ivy arrange alternately along square stems. This evergreen climbing vine grows rapidly via surface runners and aerial rootlets from the nodes. Algerian ivy adapts well to soil types; however, it prefers well-draining soil that is consistently moist.

With proper care, Algerian ivy may bloom into small lavender or white flowers in spring. Once established, this vine requires minimal upkeep though pruning to contain growth may be needed. The thick foliage makes Algerian ivy resistant to most problems except Japanese beetles, which chew large holes.

13. Dichondra 

Dichondra is an ideal spreading ground cover plant for Florida, thriving in full sun or partial shade with minimal care once established. The kidney-shaped leaves of dichondra arise from prostrate stems that root at the nodes.

This herbaceous perennial groundcover prefers full sun but will also grow in partial shade and consistently moist, well-draining soil. Dichondra spreads rapidly via stolons, and rooting stems, forming a dense mat of foliage.

In spring and summer, dichondra may produce small star-shaped yellow flowers. After flowering, the thick foliage persists year-round and continues spreading, requiring little care other than occasional weeding and watering during drought. Dichondra’s thick leaves make it resistant to most pests and diseases.

With its ability to spread quickly and crowd out weeds, dichondra is a good choice for covering large areas of Florida gardens. Its neat mats of deep green foliage provide ample ground cover and require no fertilizer or pesticides once established. Dichondra’s adaptability to sun and shade makes it a versatile ground cover plant choice.

14. St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is a versatile ground cover option for Florida, thriving in full sun or partial shade with minimal care. The cylindrical leaves of St. Augustine grass arise from underground rhizomes and stolons. This warm-season grass prefers consistently moist, fertile soil and moderate watering. St. Augustine spreads both above and below ground, forming a dense sod to cover large areas.

St. Augustine grass turns bronze in winter and green again in spring. Throughout the growing season, it requires regular mowing and occasional fertilizing. The thick thatch it produces helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. However, chinch bugs can become an issue, causing yellow patches and stunted growth.

15. Monkey Grass

Monkey grass is a versatile spreading Florida ground cover plant well suited to hot, humid conditions with minimal care. The tubular leaves of monkey grass arise in bunches from underground rhizomes. This evergreen perennial groundcover prefers full sun and consistently moist, well-draining soil. Monkey grass spreads rapidly via stolons and rhizomes, forming dense mats of foliage.

With proper care, monkey grass will bloom yellow flowers in late summer. After flowering, the thick foliage persists year-round, requiring little care other than occasional weeding and watering during drought. However, leaf spot fungus can become an issue in humid weather, causing brown spots on the leaves.

16. Wooly Thyme 

Wooly thyme is an aromatic, spreading Florida ground cover plant well suited for hot, sunny gardens with minimal care. The oval, gray-green leaves of wooly thyme arrange in pairs along square stems. This evergreen perennial groundcover prefers consistently well-draining soil and moderate watering. Wooly thyme spreads rapidly via stolons and underground rhizomes, forming dense mats.

In spring and summer, wooly thyme produces clusters of pink or lavender flowers that attract beneficial insects. After flowering, the thick foliage persists year-round, requiring little care other than occasional pruning to contain its growth. Wooly thyme’s tough foliage makes it resistant to most pests and diseases.

Conclusion 

The right Florida ground cover can transform your garden into an oasis of low-maintenance beauty and function.

• Spider plant makes an excellent evergreen ground cover for Florida, thriving in full sun to partial shade with minimal care.

• Purple Heart is a colorful, low-growing ground cover option for Florida gardens thriving in sun or shade with minimal care.

• Monkey grass is a versatile spreading Florida ground cover plant well suited to hot, humid conditions with minimal care.

With their ability to spread quickly and smother weeds, ground covers provide year-round greenery that enriches landscapes while requiring minimal effort. Though each has different needs, there are many options to suit your microclimates and garden styles.