Best Spreading Australian Groundcovers for Budget, Low Maintenance Weed Suppression

Best Spreading Australian Groundcovers for Budget, Low Maintenance Weed Suppression

Spreading groundcovers are a practical and budget-friendly solution for creating lush, weed-free landscapes with minimal upkeep. Unlike clumping plants, they continuously grow outward through runners, stolons, and/or rhizomes, forming a dense, mat-like layer that suppresses weeds and protects soil. For those searching for the best Australian groundcovers for low-maintenance gardening, these spreading varieties are a top choice.

Aussie Reflection

Aussie Reflection™ Crysocephalum

Benefits of Spreading Groundcovers

  • Weed Suppression: Their dense growth habit smothers weeds by leaving no room for them to sprout. They are a living mulch, providing the same benefits as bark chips with (arguably) better soil-improving and biodiversity attributes.
  • Budget-Friendly: If you’re trying to save money, plant less densely and allow them to fill gaps over time. Once established, high-performing varieties require little water or care, saving money and effort on maintenance. Keep in mind that while spreading plants will drop roots along the stems, making them more resilient to stressors, there are many weaker spreading plants that we would not recommend as they are more likely to die and need replacing. We won’t mention any weak plants in this article.
  • Erosion Control: Perfect for steep slopes or exposed areas, spreading plants hold soil in place. So do clumping plants, but spreading plants may do a better job at shielding the soil from direct sunlight and rain droplets that cause erosion.
  • Seamless Coverage: Quickly cover bare ground, softening harsh or rocky landscapes. Just make sure you keep an eye on them, because they may just take over the whole garden if you don’t give them a prune once they reach the desired coverage.

Ground hug

Ground Hug™ Myoporum

Baby Breeze

Baby Breeze™ Dianella

Top Australian Spreading Groundcovers

  1. Dianella‘DCNC3’ PBR Intended Trade Name Baby Breeze™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/baby-breeze-dianella-2/
  2. Dianella caeruleaDCMP02PBR Intended Trade Name Little Jess™ NEW IMPROVED. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/little-jess-new-improved-dianella-caerulea/
  3. Zoysia native hybrid ZOY01PBR Trade NameOzbreed Zen Grass®. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-grasses/zen-grass-zoysia/
  4. ChrysocephalumCAP07PBR Trade Name Aussie Reflection™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/aussie-reflection-chrysocephalum/
  5. Carpobrotus glaucescensCAR10PBR Trade Name Aussie Rambler™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/aussie-rambler-carpobrotus-is-a-native-groundcover-plant-with-large-pink-flowers-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
  6. Grevillea juniperinaH22PBR Trade Name Gold Cluster™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/gold-cluster-grevillea/
  7. Myoporum insulareMYIN01′ PBR Intended Trade Name Ground Hug™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/ground-hug-myoporum-insulare-low-fast-spreading-dense-weed-suppressing-foliage/
  8. Myoporum parvifoliumPARV01PBR Trade Name Yareena™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/yareena-myoporum-is-a-drought-and-frost-tolerant-ground-cover-plant-with-crisp-clean-foliage-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
  9. Hibbertia scandensHBS01′ PBR Trade Name Groundswell™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/groundswell-hibbertia-scandens-compact-drought-tolerant-ground-cover-with-yellow-flowers/
  10. Scaevola humilisPFS200’ PBR Trade Name Pink Fusion™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/pink-fusion/
  11. Scaevola humilisPFS100PBR Trade Name Purple Fusion™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/purple-fusion-scaevola-is-a-groundcover-plant-with-an-abundance-of-purple-flowers-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
  12. Pandorea jasminoidesPJ01PBR Trade Name Ozbreed Flat White™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/ozbreed-flat-white/
  13. Eremophila glabra prostrateEREM1PBR Trade Name Blue Horizon™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/blue-horizon-eremophila/

Pink Fusion™ Scaevola

Applications in Landscaping

Spreading groundcovers shine in areas where turf fails, such as rocky outcrops, slopes, or under native trees. They’re also a much more interesting alternative to boring brown bark chips as a living mulch that protects and enriches soil. Perfect for public spaces and large-scale projects, offering reliable weed suppression with minimal input.

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