Pavers are a practical and beautiful addition to any yard or garden. Not only do they create a clear walkway to meander down, but they also add texture and dimension to the landscape. While pavers don’t need much to shine, one way to take this design element to the next level is to grow plants in between any cracks and gaps in the stones. Ahead, we’ve chosen some of our favorite plants that can thrive between the pavers in your yard, from fragrant ground covers to blooming perennials. The plants on this list are tolerant of varying degrees of foot traffic, so they’re ideal for planting in busier areas of your yard.
Meet the Expert
Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University
Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed’s From Seed to Spoon app
Related: 13 Beautiful Ground Cover Plants That Keep the Weeds Away
01 of 10
Dwarf Mondo Grass
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Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Kyoto Super Dwarf’) is a miniature grass-like perennial that is evergreen and holds up to light foot traffic, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University. This grass, which forms a carpet of dark green leaves, is deer- and disease-resistant and tolerates dry soil, heat, and humidity.
Size: 2 inches tall x 18 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; rich, well-drained soil
02 of 10
Silver Falls Dichondra
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Ideal for areas with limited water access, silver falls dichondra (Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’) is a drought tolerant plant once it gets established. “It has a trailing growth habit with long cascading stems that gracefully spill over between pavers,” says Carrie Spoonemore co-creator of Park Seed’s From Seed to Spoon app. “This trailing habit creates a soft and flowing effect, adding visual interest to pathways or walkways.”
Size: 2 to 3 inches tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun; rich, well-drained soil
03 of 10
Blue Star Creeper
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A pollinator-friendly plant with blue star-shaped flowers, blue star creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) is a low-growing, evergreen perennial with a carpet-like appearance. It has a fast-spreading habit, which makes it great for growing between pavers. “Its growth is so vigorous it can help suppress weeds while being very adaptable in several environments,” says Langelo. “It is excellent for erosion control.”
Size: 2 to 3 inches tall x 1 to 3 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
04 of 10
Green Carpet
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Green carpet (Herniaria glabra) is a very showy evergreen ground cover that tolerates heavy foot traffic and has winter interest by turning a bronze color. “It has long taproots and is very drought-tolerant,” says Langelo. “It does well with just natural precipitation.”
Size: 2 to 3 inches tall x 1 to 2 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun; well-drained soil
Related: 17 Garden Path Ideas That Perfectly Showcase Your Plantings
05 of 10
Creeping Thyme
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This petite evergreen herb tolerates light foot traffic and is soft and fragrant underfoot, says Langelo, adding that the leaves can be used for seasoning. It produces small purplish flowers that bloom in summer, adding a pop of color in between pavers. In small areas, creeping thyme (Thymus serphyllum) can be used as a substitute for grass.
Size: 2 to 3 inches tall x 3 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-drained, alkaline soil
06 of 10
English Stonecrop
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English stonecrop (Sedum anglicum) is a ground cover that forms a dense mat with unique texture. “It thrives in various conditions and has a tolerance for different soils, rocky terrain, and drought,” says Langelo. “It is hardy and doesn’t need to be trimmed, watered regularly, or fertilized.” This is a great option if you want to attract bees and butterflies to your yard.
Size: 2 to 4 inches tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; loose loamy, sandy, or gravelly soils that are well-drained
07 of 10
Creeping Jenny
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Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummilaria) is an excellent choice to grow between pavers. “It is a low-growing showy ground cover that is evergreen,” says Langelo. It forms a mat of rounded to heart-shaped yellow leaves and produces bright yellow flowers in early to mid-summer. “The leaves have a different color in the shade than the sun,” says Langelo. “In the shade, the foliage is lime green to chartreuse. In the sun, the foliage is a gold color.”
Size: 3 to 6 inches tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; humus, moist, rich soils that are well-drained
08 of 10
Chamomile
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Fragrant chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a perennial that forms a mat of aromatic feathery leaves and daisy flowers. “The fragrance smells like a ripe apple,” says Langelo. “The flowers can be harvested and dried for chamomile tea.” This plant is drought tolerant once established and doesn’t often encounter serious pest or disease issues.
Size: 3 to 6 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; loam, sand, or chalky soils that are well-drained
Related: 15 Edible Ground Cover Plants That Will Add Color to Your Garden—and Flavor to Your Cooking
09 of 10
Mini Ornamental Mint
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Mini ornamental mint (Mentha requienii) has a low-growing and spreading habit, characteristics that make it ideal for growing between pavers. “It forms a dense mat of tiny, rounded leaves that hug the ground closely,” says Spoonemore. “It will tolerate moderate foot traffic.” During mid-summer mini ornamental mint will produce beautiful small blooms. When walked over, it emits a delightful minty fragrance.
Size: 2 to 4 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; loamy soil that is well-drained
10 of 10
Platt’s Black Brass Buttons
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Leptinella plants are often straightforward green like the one shown above. But one variety, Platt’s Black Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’), offers a colorful ground cover that will add drama to your pavers thanks to its beautiful purple-black foliage. Platt’s Black Brass Buttons tolerates light foot traffic and doesn’t need to be fertilized or deadheaded, says Langelo. Place it in an area with dappled shade, as the foliage can become scorched in very hot, sunny locations.
Size: 3 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: dappled shade; moist, well-drained soil
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