The Best Succulent Ground Covers for Xeriscaping

Succulent ground cover plants are an excellent choice when filling out a landscape, especially in warmer climates where low-maintenance plants are preferred. Once established, many succulents require very little care while still providing strong visual impact.

There are countless varieties available, including dwarf forms and spreading types. The succulents featured in this article range from low-growing mats to taller varieties that still provide effective ground coverage. Most succulents thrive in well-drained soil and perform poorly in overly wet conditions. They benefit from generous watering in spring during active growth and require minimal to no supplemental water in winter.

You will recognize some familiar favorites, such as hens and chicks, along with lesser-known species that work beautifully as ground cover. Succulents add texture, color, and variety to garden spaces. Foliage can range from bright lime green to silvery blue, and flowers appear in shades from crisp white to vibrant magenta. Spring often showcases their most dramatic growth and bloom displays, though many also provide winter interest.

This list offers inspiration and practical guidance to help you explore the diverse world of succulent ground covers. With the right information, you can select the best succulent to suit your landscape needs.

Upright Myrtle Spurge

Upright myrtle spurge, Euphorbia rigida, is an eye-catching succulent with blue-green leaves arranged in tight spirals along the stems. In spring, it produces large clusters of small, yellow, star-shaped flowers that create bold contrast against the foliage. Native to Europe and southwest Asia, it is hardy in zones 7 to 11.

Although it is not a true low-growing ground cover, as it can reach up to 24 inches tall, it works well in layered plantings where height variation is desired. This plant thrives in full sun, well-draining soil, and low water conditions once established. It is deer-resistant, salt-tolerant, and resistant to many common pests and diseases.

All parts of Euphorbia rigida are toxic, and the milky sap may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves when handling or pruning this plant to prevent contact.

Gold Tooth Aloe

Low-growing succulents add texture and variety to a landscape, and gold tooth aloe, Aloe nobilis, is a versatile choice. It grows well in zones 9 to 10 and is cold-hardy down to 20°F (-7°C).

This aloe produces tubular orange flowers that attract butterflies. Blooming begins in late spring and can continue through summer. The plant forms an attractive rosette of short, bright green leaves edged with small teeth. In full sun or under stress, the foliage may develop orange tones. When light levels decrease, the leaves gradually return to green.

Aloe nobilis produces offsets readily, allowing it to spread and fill in space quickly. This growth habit makes it especially useful as a succulent ground cover in warm climates.

Hens and Chicks

Sempervivum tectorum, commonly known as hens and chicks, is a popular succulent ground cover for rock gardens and dry landscapes. Native to Europe and parts of Africa, it now grows worldwide. It is hardy in zones 3 to 8 and tolerates cold temperatures despite being a succulent.

This plant forms attractive rosettes known as “hens,” which gradually produce smaller offset rosettes called “chicks.” Although growth is slow, these offsets allow the plant to spread steadily across an area.

After about three years, or when under significant stress, the main rosette may produce an upright flower stalk bearing white or yellow blooms. Once flowering is complete, the original rosette dies, leaving the surrounding chicks to continue growing.

Candelilla

To add height and structure to a succulent landscape, consider candelilla, Euphorbia antisyphilitica. This upright succulent produces straight, waxy stems that cluster together to form a spreading shrub.

Candelilla can reach up to two feet tall and three feet wide. Planting several together creates a dense colony that tolerates drought, heat, and cold temperatures down to 10°F (-12°C). It performs well in full sun but can also reach mature size in partial shade if it receives about six hours of sunlight per day.

Small cream colored flowers with pink centers appear at the tips of the stems beginning in May and often continue blooming through summer. An interesting feature of Euphorbia antisyphilitica is its waxy sap, which is used commercially in products such as soap and candles.

Rock Purslane

If you are looking for a semi-erect plant that forms a dense mound, rock purslane, Calandrinia spectabilis, is an excellent choice. It features narrow gray-green leaves and produces vivid magenta flowers throughout summer, adding strong color contrast to the landscape.

Rock purslane is hardy in zones 9 to 11. It prefers full sun and is highly drought-tolerant once established. In colder climates, it can be grown as an annual. This plant propagates easily from cuttings and also performs well in containers, making it a versatile option for succulent-style ground cover displays.

Peruvian Apple Cactus

Peruvian apple cactus, Cereus peruvianus, is a columnar cactus with a strong upright growth habit. Under ideal conditions, it can reach up to 30 feet tall and about six inches in diameter.

This cactus prefers full sun and regular watering, although care should be taken not to overwater, as it remains drought-tolerant once established. It grows well in zones 8 to 11 and can tolerate partial shade if it receives very bright light for part of the day.

The stems are an attractive blue-gray color with three to five prominent ribs lined with brown spines. In late spring, the plant produces yellow to white flowers that open for just one night. If pollinated during that short window, the flower develops into an edible fruit.

Ghost Plant

Ghost plant, Graptopetalum paraguayense, is an unusual and striking succulent named for its pale, whitish coloration. Its foliage shifts in tone depending on light exposure, making it a versatile ground cover for both full sun and partial shade.

In intense summer heat, the leaves often develop soft pink undertones. In shadier conditions, the pointed blue-gray leaves add subtle contrast and texture to the landscape. Ghost plant is hardy in zones 7 to 13 and produces small yellow flowers in spring.

Mature plants typically reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread up to 20 inches wide, forming attractive rosettes that gradually expand over time.

Tokyo Sun Stonecrop

Sedum japonicum, commonly known as Tokyo sun, is a low-growing succulent valued for its vibrant foliage. In full sun, the leaves develop a bright yellow tone, while in partial shade they shift to lime green.

This plant reaches about three inches tall and gradually spreads outward as it matures, forming a dense mat. It grows well in zones 8 to 11 and tolerates low temperatures between 10 and 20°F (-12 to -7°C).

Tokyo sun is an excellent low-maintenance ground cover and also performs well in containers alongside other succulents. In summer, it produces small yellow star-shaped flowers that add even more brightness to the landscape.

Blue Spruce Stonecrop

Another stonecrop worth mentioning is Sedum reflexum, commonly known as blue spruce stonecrop. This low-growing succulent ground cover features blue-green, needle-like leaves that resemble miniature spruce foliage.

Each plant spreads one to two feet while remaining under eight inches tall. When grown in filtered shade, the mature size is slightly smaller than plants grown in full sun. Like most sedums, it is cold-hardy and performs well in zones 4 to 9.

Bright yellow flowers appear in early summer, contrasting beautifully with the foliage and attracting pollinators. Blue spruce stonecrop is well-suited to rock gardens and provides year-round texture and color in the landscape.

Caucasian Stonecrop

Caucasian stonecrop, Phedimus spurius, is another excellent succulent ground cover worth considering. It grows well in zones 4 to 9, making it cold-hardy and suitable for both high and low desert regions.

This plant reaches only about four inches in height, yet a single specimen can spread up to two feet. The light green leaves are tightly whorled and slightly serrated, forming a dense mat. In late spring, star-shaped pale pink flowers appear, adding soft color and contrast to the landscape.

Caucasian stonecrop prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings to reduce the risk of root rot. Native to eastern Europe, particularly the Caucasus region, it adapts well to a range of temperate conditions.

Blue Chalksticks

Senecio serpens, commonly known as blue chalk sticks, is a small, low-growing succulent ground cover suited to zones 10 to 11. Native to Africa, it features narrow blue-green leaves with a soft, powdery coating.

In full sun, mature plants reach up to one foot tall with a spread of two to three feet. In filtered shade, growth remains more compact, making it a good choice for containers in locations without constant direct sunlight.

This fire-wise plant performs well in rock gardens and areas exposed to extreme heat. Blue chalk sticks do not produce showy flowers and are valued primarily for their striking foliage. They are also fire-resistant and generally unappealing to deer and rabbits.

Parry’s Agave

Parry’s agave, Agave parryi, is a medium-sized agave that forms clumps up to three feet tall and three feet wide. It prefers full sun and grows best in well-drained sandy or loamy soil.

The leaves are grayish blue, thick, and coarse in texture, with sharp spines along the margins. Native to North America, it grows well in zones 7 to 10 and tolerates temperatures between 10 and 20°F (-12 to -7°C), making it suitable for high elevation and cold desert regions.

From early to late summer, Parry’s agave produces tall flower stalks with blooms that range from light yellow to rich orange or gold. Once established, it requires minimal care and performs reliably in dry landscapes.

Resin Spurge

Resin spurge, Euphorbia resinifera, is a succulent that resembles a cactus due to the spines lining each stem. Native to Africa, it grows well in zones 9 to 11.

Each upright column is light green and performs best in warm conditions, especially where it receives reflected heat from nearby surfaces. Mature plants can reach about three feet tall and spread up to five feet wide as they form dense clumps.

The inner sap is toxic if ingested and may cause skin irritation, so handle with care. Under favorable conditions, small, vibrant flowers appear along the spines. Once established, resin spurge tolerates intense heat and requires very little water. Although sometimes grown as a houseplant, it is especially well-suited to xeriscaped landscapes.

Royal Dewflower

Drosanthemum speciosum, commonly known as royal dewflower, is an excellent succulent ground cover for creating a dense carpet of foliage. Gray-green leaves form a low mat that supports vibrant blooms in shades of purple, pink, or red.

Royal dewflower performs best in zones 9 to 11 and prefers full sun. It is cold-hardy down to 20°F (-7°C). Mature plants reach up to 12 inches tall and spread as wide as three feet.

This plant does not tolerate foot traffic, so it works best in undisturbed areas. When stems contact bare soil, they root readily, allowing the plant to spread and fill space efficiently.

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