6 Shade-Loving Ground Covers You Can Plant From Seed, According to an Expert

Hosta

Hostas are a beloved ground cover for a reason. They add beautiful texture to your garden, they're easy to grow, and you can even start them from seed.

Teri Speight, gardening coach, podcast host, and co-author of The Urban Garden, recommends sowing seeds in the fall. You can also sow them in trays or baggies during winter.

"They suppress weeds and are relatively drought-tolerant," she adds. "When placed in full shade, they require little maintenance."

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 4 to 30 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial shade; rich, well-drained soil

Hellebores

It's best to plant hellebore seeds in early summer, in a shady area, notes Speight.

"It also self-sows quite well," she says. "Allow the finished bloom to drop the seeds prior to removing the stalks."

Hellebores produce beautiful flowers and are very easy to care for—they're drought-tolerant once established. Simply remove discolored leaves from the prior season, and your plants will continue to thrive year after year.

• Zones: 5 to 8
• Size: 12 inches tall x 18 to 24 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial to full shade; rich soil

Kenilworth Ivy

Kenilworth ivy is a lovely ground cover, producing delicate lilac flowers that last through the summer months. Speight recommends sowing the seeds indoors 10 weeks before planting outdoors. When you move it outside, make sure to keep the soil moist for germination.

"I recommend it because it can be sown in the ground or in pots," she says. "It's also great for draping over walls." It's also tolerant of foot traffic, and deer will leave it alone.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Partial shade; cool, moist, well-drained soil

Bergenia

Bergenia has beautiful, shiny leaves, and it produces lovely pink blooms. Speight recommends sowing the seeds indoors 60 to 90 days prior to the last winter frost.

After, harden off the plants before putting them in the ground. Make sure to leave room for their foliage.

"Bergenia withstands many different temperatures, however it does best in part shade, and a touch of water when it's dry outside," she says.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Partial sun; moist, well-drained soil

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Chamomile

Chamomile is a wonderful herb that can suppress weeds by forming a tight mat. Seeds can be sown indoors or directly in your garden.

"If sown directly in the ground, it's best to define the area," she says. "The seeds are tiny and can be washed away during strong winter storms."

Fortunately, chamomile is relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in containers as well. The white flowers look beautiful on their own or can be harvested to make soothing teas.

• Zones: 2 to 9
• Size: 8 to 24 inches tall x 8 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial shade; well-drained soil

Pink Clover

Pink clover's beautiful color makes it a stunning border plant, but you can also grow it in containers.

"It can also be a grass substitute in partial shade areas with minimal foot traffic," says Speight.

She recommends sowing it from seed four to six weeks before the last frost for a spring planting. It's drought-tolerant once established, and not attractive to deer. As an added bonus, it will even attract pollinators to your garden.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Partial shade; well-draining soil