The BIGGEST problem slopes, hillsides and embankments have is erosion. Stabilizing the soil with plants is a great way to help prevent erosion by planting the right kinds of plants. There are numerous plants that have a strong root system that really ‘bites in’ to the ground and helps keep dirt in place. Rain water, irrigation runoff, earth movement, and wind are major factors that help gravity pull dirt off your hillside and down to the bottom of the slope. By choosing plants that reduce these affects, you can potentially save yourself a TON of money between costs of soil replacing, retaining walls, shoring, etc. These are my TOP 3 groundcover plants (in my humble opinion) that do wonders for slopes.
Myoporum is a great little shrub that ‘blankets’ a slope with a neat uniformity. It has a nice white or pink flower (depending on what variety you go with) and has a root system that ‘beefs’ up the soil to help prevent runoff. It’s evergreen, drought tolerant, and requires very little maintenance.
Lantana is another great selection for slopes. Although common, it does the trick of stabilizing soil nicely on hillsides. Perhaps the best attribute of the Lantana is the bloom! They come in so many wonderful varieties, and are very drought tolerant.
Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ is our third option we are looking at. It’s a California native shrubs that has a deep rich green foliage and a small lavender colored flower. Its drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Watch to find out which one is my FAV!
Happy Planting!
-Dom
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Other information and Tags:
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42 Comments
Anything for zone 5?
Zone1-5?
Good plant
Could you use the Dwarf Carpet of Stars on a slope?
Where are you based out of? Love for you to remodel my back yard. Small slope with a lower flat section.
Please do the plants by zone. These plants are suited for different zones.
I just put in a pool and they said I have to put sod at least initially. Is that true or can I go straight with ceanothus in the recently laid top soil? I really dont want sod because I cant get my lawnmower around the pool easily
Anybody have any suggestion how to change sprinkler mp2000 on slope that dont have steps to access ,, climbing a slope is quite a task any special ladder or shoes ?
I am looking at different options on a slope I have on my property. Issue is I live in Oklahoma snd it does snow here usually a few times a year, would the snow kill it? Or just when it warms back up it sorta goes green again.
Are any of these gopher proof?
What do you think about Dragons Blood Sedum for slope stabilization?
Great video. I'm in Brazil and hopefully I can track down some of these plants or find myself a similar option.
I know this channel is more about the plants and I think I have a bit of an engineering challenge. My in-laws built a house on a mountain slope and had to excavate to create a flat space on which to build. Theyve ignored the borders of the excavated area for three years. The result is banks about 2,5 meters high, not vertical but quite steep. The excavation has left the subsoil exposed. Red clay, sun baked, zero organic matter. Rock Hard and shatters when hit with a spade. Any tips or resources on how to get plantsto establish on such an environment?
How about creeping fig
Better title: “Best erosion control plants for Southern California (zone 8-11)”.
I agree I feel the same way.
I love cenothus. The purple is just gorgeous. But it can’t grow it here.
This is how some invasive plants were introduced. Oh, lets plant kudzu for erosion control or english ivy for ground cover or whatever. Exotic plants are great and cool and many times not invasive. It just makes me cringe when we look to plants these over native plants, especially when we are literally losing native plants while we go ahead and plant non natives. When you consider that native plants are losing because of new development and invasive plants, it just makes sense to plant what is endemic to your specific region of the world. Plus it will use less water and be more suited to ur soil.
How quickly does the myoporum spread? I have a terraced back yard with the highest section being fairly steep, right now it is just overrun with weeds and an eyesore. Also do you suggest using any specific type of weed killer to wipe out the existing weeds/growth? Thanks!
Hi thx for ur video. I need a type of plant that can help avoid erosion on a sloap but can the mayoporn handle 40 degrees in our summer(Mediterranean Island) and direct sunlight? Would you suggest a different plant?
Even if they're good erosion control people better make sure that these are not invasive plants in the area where they live. Like I don't see that first one growing any place here in the mountains in West Virginia where I live but I do see tons and tons of ferns growing on the hills where the soil is more stable so that's what I think I would want to plant more of are the ferns.
Will any of these plants grow on a very steep slope, I mean almost a vertical cliff? I need to stabilize a cliff like that 12 feet tall, that stretches for about 85 feet. It's about 5-10 degrees from being vertical. If I can't get any stabilizing plants to grow on that steep a slope, I hope to plant cascading plants along the top edge of the cliff. Thanks.
Can I use Myoporum in San Antonio Texas?
But I have soil erosion on the surface of pound how can I plant there
Will these work in Greenville SC, zones 7b to 8a?
I’ve been thinking about Ceanothus Yankee Point vs. Salvia Bee’s Bliss. I want less trimming/pruning to do over long run. Maybe I will get one of each since I can’t seem to decide.
I wish you had these that were not all just for Californians.
zone 5/6 recommendations?
Lantania is a toxic weed in Australia
I need your advice on my home in back yard in Texas.I can send you picture
What is the best irrigation set up for myoporum? Netafim tube? or drip emitters with what spacing?
any Zone 4 recommendations Please???
I got a question… when u buy the plant , how do you space them out .. I’ve thought of using the Creeper or English Ivy on my slope but don’t know how much an how close to plant each … Also I live in upper Alabama if that makes a difference
Outstanding video Sir. When I lived in SoCal I planted Ice plant on my slopes and it was awesome. Now that I live in Wester, PA (Zone 6), I'm trying to determine the most effective plants for my slopes in our yard. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Semper Fi, Ken
What about carpet of stars for a slope?
Taking a vote… keep in mind zone 9b central Florida…. Which would best suit for a slightly sloped yard, sandy soil that gets plenty day and afternoon sun❤️
don't know if these would survive the indiana winter
im in zone 10 southern California
Careful, snakes like to hang out in Lantana
So you only have suggestions for warm climates? I'm in zone 5.
Lantana is invasive and toxic. Please don't ever plant it in the ground.
Like the list, but wish I knew it was for a climate of CA. Your title should help people quickly identify applicability. Like my zone 5. Wasted 10 min.
I would love to have these but here where I live in NC there are snakes (poisonous) that love this ground cover