10 Ground Covers You Should Never Plant in Wet Areas

A field of vibrant flowers covering the ground with various shades — Credit:
MaYcaL / Getty Images

Ground covers have many benefits in the garden. They help suppress weeds, reduce erosion on slopes, regulate soil temperatures, and some varieties can even improve soil quality. While many ground covers are resilient and can thrive in harsh growing conditions, such as areas with full sun and dry soil, environments that are overly damp and soggy can be tricky for certain ground covers.

If your soil takes hours to drain after rainfall, it's important to select your ground cover plants carefully, as these conditions can cause root rot, fungal diseases, and even death. Ahead, gardening experts share which ground cover plants are sensitive to wet soil.

Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at the University of Maine Extension
Adrienne Roethling head gardener for a private estate and former curator of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens at Plant Delights Nursery

01 of 10

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula) is a Mediterranean plant native to dry, arid climates and requires excellent drainage to thrive. "In wet soils, roots are deprived of oxygen and become highly susceptible to root rot pathogens such as Phytophthora and Pythium," says Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at the University of Maine Extension. "Prolonged moisture often leads to crown collapse and plant death."

02 of 10

Russian Sage

Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is often grown as a ground cover for its drought-tolerant, low-maintenance reputation. It produces a dense mat of silvery-blue foliage from summer to fall, making it an excellent choice for controlling soil erosion on slopes. However, because it is adapted to arid environments and well-draining soils, avoid Russian sage in wet areas. "Excess moisture causes root suffocation and increases vulnerability to fungal root diseases," says Singh. "Symptoms include weak growth, floppy stems, and winter mortality."

03 of 10

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a popular ground cover that produces a tight mass of green leaves that give way to shades of pink, purple, and white, star-shaped flowers. If planting it in your garden, choose an area with full sun and well-draining soil. "Creeping phlox does not tolerate wet soil; they prefer hot and dry conditions," says Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate. "Plants will lose their leaves and stems and rot out from the middle of the plant."

04 of 10

Stonecrop

Stonecrop (Sedum spp.) plants are succulents that store water in their leaf tissue, helping them withstand drought conditions. "Saturated soils promote tissue rot and fungal infections," says Singh. "Plants often develop mushy stems and rapidly collapse."

05 of 10

Woolly Thyme

Woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is one of many varieties of thyme that performs as a ground cover. It has a tight form, reaching less than 12 inches tall, with blue-green leaves and purple-pink flowers that bloom in spring. "Woolly thyme needs sharp drainage and will perform best in full sun," says Roethling. "Too much moisture will cause the plant to rot."

06 of 10

Lamb's Ear

Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) is loved for its dense, fuzzy foliage that adds texture and color to landscapes as a ground cover. However, because the foliage is so dense, it retains moisture well, which can encourage fungal diseases in wet or humid conditions. "Crown rot is common when soils remain saturated," says Singh.

07 of 10

Rosemary

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is another native Mediterranean plant, meaning it is adapted to dry, rocky soil conditions and won't perform in wet areas. "Rosemary is highly sensitive to poor drainage," says Singh. "Wet soils cause root rot and impair nutrient uptake, often resulting in rapid decline."

08 of 10

Ice Plant

A member of the succulent family, ice plant (Delosperma spp.) produces cheerful, vibrant flowers and fleshy foliage. Like most succulents, this plant won't do well in overly damp soils. "As a succulent adapted to dry conditions, ice plant is extremely vulnerable to root and tissue rot in saturated soils, particularly in cooler climates," Singh says.

09 of 10

Cheddar Pinks

Cheddar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) form a tufted mound of grey stems and narrow, grass-like leaves, which give rise to fragrant pink flowers. While they are a beautiful addition to the garden as a ground cover, cheddar pinks must be planted in well-draining soil, as they will rot in wet conditions. Roethling recommends adding soil aggregates the size of a pea to aid in drainage.

10 of 10

Canadian Wild Ginger

Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is native to the wooded areas of north-central Canada to the Carolinas, and goes dormant in winter, re-sprouting in early to mid-spring. "Canadian wild ginger prefers growing in rich but well-drained soils. If given the right conditions, expect plants to reach 2 to 3 inches tall and spread nicely on the woodland floor," says Roethling. "It’ll grow better in higher elevations and not so much in moist soils where it would succumb to rot."

10 Ground Covers You Should Never Plant in Wet Areas, According to Experts