Top 10 Australian Native Ground Covers

The Case for Native Ground Covers

Ground covers are one of the hardest-working plant categories in the garden. They suppress weeds, protect soil from erosion, reduce moisture evaporation, and — when they are Australian natives — they do all of this while supporting local insects, birds, and lizards far better than exotic alternatives. Here are ten of the best for Australian home gardens.

1. Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler'

A vigorous, sprawling grevillea that spreads 3–4m wide while staying under 50cm tall. Produces abundant red and orange toothbrush flowers almost year-round. Excellent for slopes, banks, and large areas. Full sun, excellent drainage, tolerates dry conditions once established.

2. Scaevola aemula (Fan Flower)

One of Australia's most cheerful groundcovers, producing masses of purple, pink, or white fan-shaped flowers from spring through autumn. Spreads 1–1.5m wide, 30cm tall. Full sun to part shade, drought-tolerant, excellent for coastal gardens.

3. Hardenbergia violacea (Purple Coral Pea)

A native pea with attractive dark green leaves and masses of deep purple flowers in winter and spring — exactly when ground cover colour is most needed. Spreads 2–3m, 30–50cm tall. Tolerates part shade and moderately dry conditions.

4. Brachyscome multifida (Cut-Leaf Daisy)

A delightful, fine-textured ground cover producing masses of white, pink, or purple daisy flowers throughout the warm months. Spreads 60–80cm. Drought-tolerant once established, full sun to light shade. One of the most floriferous of all ground covers.

5. Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed)

A native alternative to lawn grass in shaded areas where grass struggles. Creates a lush, fine-textured carpet of kidney-shaped leaves. Tolerates moderate foot traffic. Excellent beneath trees and in shaded garden beds.

6. Lomandra longifolia 'Tanika'

A refined, smaller form of the native mat rush, forming neat 50cm clumps of fine green foliage. Excellent for mass planting as a weed-suppressing ground cover. Extremely drought and frost tolerant. Full sun to full shade.

7. Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Myoporum)

A fast-spreading, dense ground cover reaching 2–4m wide while staying 10–20cm tall. Small white flowers attract bees. One of the most effective weed-suppressing ground covers available. Very drought-tolerant, full sun, excellent for slopes and banks.

8. Carpobrotus rossii (Native Pigface)

The native alternative to the invasive exotic ice plants. Vivid pink flowers, succulent foliage, edible fruit. Excellent for hot, dry, coastal conditions and stabilising sandy slopes. Extremely drought-tolerant.

9. Kennedia rubicunda (Dusky Coral Pea)

A vigorous climber that also works magnificently as a ground cover, spreading 3–4m while smothering weeds. Deep red pea flowers in spring. Tolerates dry, shady conditions under trees where little else will grow.

10. Pratia pedunculata (Blue Star Creeper)

A delicate creeping ground cover with tiny star-shaped blue flowers from spring through summer. Creates a lawn-like carpet 5cm tall. Tolerates light foot traffic. Excellent for filling gaps between stepping stones and in shaded garden beds.

Establishing Your Native Ground Cover Garden

Planting native ground covers requires a slightly different approach than establishing traditional ornamental gardens. The key to success is understanding your local conditions and matching plants to your specific microclimate. Australian native ground covers have evolved over millennia to thrive in our unique conditions, but they still need proper establishment care during their first growing season.

The best time to plant most native ground covers is autumn (March to May) or spring (September to November), when soil temperatures are warm but plants aren't stressed by extreme heat. Avoid planting during summer (December to February) unless you can commit to daily watering, and winter (June to August) planting works only in mild climates as plants struggle to establish in cold, wet conditions.

Prepare your planting area by removing competing weeds and improving drainage if necessary. Most Australian natives prefer well-draining soil and will struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. If your soil is poor, incorporate some native plant potting mix rather than heavy fertiliser — native plants have evolved in low-nutrient environments and can suffer from too much feeding. Create shallow planting holes slightly wider than the root ball, and water in gently but thoroughly after planting.

Seasonal Care and Maintenance Calendar

Native ground covers require minimal maintenance once established, but understanding seasonal needs ensures they perform their best throughout the year.

Spring (September to November)

This is your main planting season. Most ground covers are actively growing, so this is ideal for establishment. Water new plantings twice weekly if rainfall is less than 25mm per week. Apply a light organic mulch around plants — about 5cm deep — to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid piling mulch against the plant stems, as this can encourage root rot. Light pruning of straggly growth encourages bushier development.

Summer (December to February)

Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root development. Established plantings typically need watering only during extended dry periods. Monitor for heat stress, particularly in newly planted areas. This is not the time for fertilising or major pruning. If you need to deadhead spent flowers, do this lightly and only on vigorous species — many natives are self-cleaning and the seed pods provide wildlife value.

Autumn (March to May)

Reduce watering as temperatures cool and rainfall typically increases. This is an excellent time for planting new areas and for light tidying of overgrown plantings. Autumn is also when many native ground covers flower most prolifically, providing crucial food for birds and insects preparing for winter.

Winter (June to August)

Most native ground covers require minimal input during winter. In cold southern regions, frost can damage tender species — provide shelter or avoid planting frost-sensitive varieties in exposed positions. In tropical and subtropical areas, this is often the most comfortable growing season. Don't fertilise during winter, as this stimulates tender new growth vulnerable to frost.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Overwatering and Poor Drainage

The most common cause of death in Australian native ground covers is overwatering. These plants have evolved in dry conditions and their roots are designed for efficient water uptake from low-moisture environments. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, soft stems, and an unpleasant smell from the soil. To prevent this, water new plantings thoroughly at establishment, then reduce frequency significantly. Established plants often survive on rainfall alone.

Too Much Fertiliser

Native plants aren't hungry feeders. Excessive fertiliser promotes soft, disease-prone growth and can reduce flowering. If your native ground covers aren't thriving, the problem is usually environmental (drainage, light, or watering) rather than nutritional. A light application of slow-release native plant fertiliser in spring is sufficient for most situations.

Inadequate Light

Check your planting area receives appropriate light for your chosen species. Many ground covers perform poorly in deep shade, becoming sparse and leggy. If you need dense ground cover in shade, research shade-tolerant varieties specifically.

Weed Competition During Establishment

Young native ground covers grow relatively slowly compared to aggressive weeds. Mulching heavily and hand-weeding during the first growing season is essential. Once established and creating a dense canopy, native ground covers suppress weeds naturally.

Pest and Disease Issues

Healthy native plants are generally resistant to pests and diseases. If problems occur, they usually indicate stress from poor growing conditions. Improve drainage, adjust watering, or provide better light before considering chemical treatments. Native plants support beneficial insects that naturally manage pests.