You know what drives me crazy? Wasted yard space.
Seriously—why let weeds take over when you could be growing something useful, tasty, and downright pretty? Imagine walking through your yard and plucking a handful of fresh herbs, berries, or even salad greens right from the ground. Sounds like a backyard dream, right?
Here’s the thing: edible ground cover plants aren’t just about food. They keep weeds in check, reduce soil erosion, and fill in those awkward bare spots where grass refuses to cooperate. Plus, they look gorgeous while working overtime for you.
I’ve been experimenting with edible ground covers in my own yard, and let me tell you—it feels like cheating. You get landscaping AND snacks in one go. So, if you’re tired of mowing, mulching, and weeding, I’ve got you covered (pun absolutely intended).
Let’s check out 16 edible ground cover plants that will not only make your yard look lush but also keep your pantry stocked.
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is basically that overachiever friend we all know—the one who looks good, smells good, and still manages to be super practical.
This plant spreads quickly, forms a thick mat, and bursts into tiny purple flowers that bees can’t resist. Step on it, and you get this burst of fragrance like you just walked into a fancy Mediterranean kitchen.
The best part? It’s edible. Use the leaves in roasted meats, soups, or even infused oils. It’s like having your spice rack growing right under your feet.
Personally, I love using creeping thyme between stepping stones. Not only does it survive being walked on, but it also saves me from staring at dirt patches. Plus, every time I step outside barefoot, I get a free aromatherapy session. Tell me grass can do that.
2. Oregano
Ah, oregano—the pizza herb we all know and love. But here’s the kicker: as a ground cover, it’s unstoppable.
Oregano spreads low and wide, covering soil faster than gossip spreads in a small town. The plant is hardy, drought-tolerant, and honestly, it looks amazing when it’s blooming with little pink or purple flowers.
Need a quick dinner upgrade? Snip a handful, toss it on pasta, or use it in a marinade. Fresh oregano tastes way better than the dusty jar you forgot in the back of the pantry.
I once planted oregano on a tricky slope where nothing else seemed happy. Within a year, it turned into this lush green carpet, and now I just wander out with scissors whenever spaghetti night rolls around. Who needs a grocery store?
3. Alpine Strawberries
Okay, now we’re talking luxury. Imagine your ground cover not only looking cute but also giving you sweet little strawberries all summer long. Yes, please.
Alpine strawberries are smaller than the supermarket giants, but they’re bursting with flavor. These plants spread slowly, so you can tuck them into borders, along walkways, or anywhere you want to sneak in an edible treat.
The leaves also look lovely—kind of like a delicate green carpet with bonus fruit. And honestly, nothing impresses guests more than casually bending down mid-conversation to pluck a strawberry from your lawn. Talk about yard goals.
And if you’re wondering, yes—I may have once pretended I planted them just for looks, when really I wanted my own personal snack bar on the patio. No regrets.
4. Creeping Rosemary
Rosemary as ground cover? Oh, absolutely. And not just any rosemary—we’re talking creeping rosemary, the low-growing variety that spreads like a fragrant, needle-leaved blanket.
This plant thrives in poor soil, laughs at drought, and attracts pollinators like crazy when it blooms with delicate blue flowers. And the flavor? Let’s just say your roasted potatoes will never forgive you if you don’t grow it.
I love how tough this plant is. I’ve ignored mine during the hottest summer weeks, and it still kept sprawling like it owned the yard. Plus, brushing against it releases that fresh, piney scent that makes me want to grill something immediately.
If you live in a warmer climate, creeping rosemary is practically indestructible. Just don’t plant it unless you’re prepared to smell delicious every time you walk outside.
5. Mint
I know what you’re thinking: “Wait—mint? Isn’t that stuff invasive?”
And yes, you’re right. Mint will happily take over your yard if you let it. But here’s my philosophy: if you can’t beat it, eat it.
Mint spreads quickly, forms a lush green carpet, and keeps pests away with its strong scent. Plus, can we talk about how many ways you can use it? Mojitos, iced tea, tabbouleh, homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream… I mean, is there a better multitasker?
The trick is to plant it where you actually want full coverage—or give it boundaries with stone borders or raised beds. I let mine run wild along the side of my yard, and now I have more mint than I could possibly drink in cocktails. Not the worst problem to have, right?
6. Chives
Chives are basically the friend who shows up to every party and makes everything better. You sprinkle them on baked potatoes, omelets, salads—you name it.
As a ground cover, chives form neat little clumps of green that spread steadily over time. They don’t take over aggressively, but they do fill space nicely, especially if you’re looking for a pop of texture in your yard.
In late spring, they bloom with these adorable purple globe flowers that not only look fantastic but are edible too. Yep, toss those blossoms into a salad, and suddenly you look like a gourmet chef who totally knows what they’re doing.
I keep a patch of chives right by my patio, and let me tell you, nothing beats walking outside with scissors to snip a few fresh sprigs for scrambled eggs. Grocery store chives? Forget it—those don’t even compare.
7. Sweet Woodruff
Here’s a ground cover that feels a little bit magical. Sweet woodruff has delicate whorls of green leaves and tiny star-shaped white flowers that look like something out of a fairytale garden.
But here’s the kicker—it’s not just pretty. You can actually use it to flavor drinks and desserts. Traditionally, it’s been used to infuse wine or syrups, and some folks even dry it to make herbal tea.
Now, full disclosure: you probably won’t be throwing handfuls of sweet woodruff into your spaghetti. But if you like the idea of a yard that doubles as a whimsical herb apothecary, this one’s a must.
I planted a patch under a shady tree where grass refused to grow, and sweet woodruff just took over like it had been waiting for an invitation. Now that bare spot looks lush, and every spring it bursts into bloom like it’s auditioning for a wedding photoshoot.
8. Nasturtiums
You know what’s fun? A plant that gives you flowers and food in one go. That’s nasturtiums for you.
These cheerful little guys creep and sprawl across the ground, creating a carpet of bright green leaves and fiery blooms in shades of orange, yellow, and red. The flowers look like they belong in a bouquet, but here’s the cool part—both the leaves and flowers are edible.
The leaves have a peppery bite, kind of like arugula, and the flowers? They’re spicy, colorful, and perfect for salads or garnishing dishes when you want to impress guests without actually trying that hard.
Plus, nasturtiums attract pollinators like crazy and even help deter pests. I once tucked them along the edges of my veggie garden, and suddenly the aphids decided they’d rather munch on nasturtiums than my kale. Win-win.
9. Violet (Viola odorata)
If you’ve ever stumbled across a patch of violets in bloom, you know they’re the kind of plant that makes you stop, kneel down, and think, “Wow, nature’s showing off again.”
Violets spread quickly, forming lush mats of heart-shaped leaves and tiny purple flowers. And guess what? They’re edible. The flowers add a sweet, floral touch to desserts, salads, and even fancy cocktails.
I’ve candied violets before, and they look like something straight out of a fairy tale. The leaves are edible too—mild and slightly grassy, perfect for mixing into spring salads.
If you’ve got shady spots in your yard, violets are a dream because they thrive where a lot of other ground covers give up. And really, who doesn’t want an edible flower carpet?
10. Chamomile
Chamomile might be famous for tea, but as a ground cover, it’s also a total charmer.
There are two main types: Roman chamomile, which works best as a perennial ground cover, and German chamomile, which is more of a reseeding annual. Both give you those cute little daisy-like flowers with golden centers that practically beg to be turned into tea.
The plant spreads low and fills in bare patches, especially in sunny areas. Walk past a chamomile patch, and you’ll catch that sweet, apple-like scent drifting in the air.
I grew chamomile along a walkway once, and every time I brushed against it, I felt like I lived in an English cottage garden commercial. Plus, having your own fresh chamomile for tea? Way better than buying tea bags that have been sitting on a shelf for who-knows-how-long.
11. Creeping Jenny (Edible Variety)
Okay, quick heads-up: not every type of creeping jenny is edible, but some varieties (like Lysimachia nummularia) have been used traditionally in teas and herbal remedies. Always double-check before munching on random yard plants, okay?
That said, creeping jenny is a superstar ground cover. It spreads like a golden-green waterfall over rocks, walls, or anywhere you plant it. It’s almost too pretty—like that friend who never has a bad hair day.
If you’re into herbal teas, creeping jenny can add a mild, earthy flavor. Personally, I love using it purely for its looks. I mean, when a plant makes your yard look like something out of a landscaping magazine and still has herbal uses, why not keep it around?
12. Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
Imagine stepping outside and catching a whiff of garlic in the air—that’s wild garlic for you. It spreads like crazy, forming lush carpets of green leaves topped with starry white flowers in spring.
The best part? Every part of it is edible. The leaves taste garlicky (perfect for pesto), the flowers make gorgeous garnishes, and even the bulbs can be used like regular garlic. It’s basically an all-you-can-eat buffet that grows itself.
I once made wild garlic pesto for a dinner party, and let’s just say people were begging for the recipe. Spoiler: the recipe was literally “yard + blender + olive oil.” It doesn’t get easier than that.
13. Purslane
Purslane might look like a humble little weed, but don’t underestimate it. This succulent-like plant spreads fast, hugs the ground, and thrives even in poor soil.
And here’s the kicker: purslane is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. In fact, it’s one of the healthiest greens you can grow. The leaves are slightly tangy and crunchy, perfect for tossing into salads or stir-fries.
Funny story—I used to pull purslane out of my garden thinking it was just another weed. Then I learned it’s basically a superfood. Now I treat it like gold. Who knew free weeds could be so trendy?
14. Sorrel
If you like plants with a little attitude, sorrel’s your friend. Its bright green, arrow-shaped leaves pack a tangy, lemony punch that can wake up any salad, soup, or sauce.
As a ground cover, sorrel spreads steadily and keeps your yard looking fresh and lush. It’s hardy, easy to grow, and comes back year after year like a reliable old friend.
I love adding sorrel leaves to omelets or mixing them into creamy soups. That sharp, citrusy flavor makes everything taste fancier—like you accidentally became a Michelin-star chef just by throwing leaves into a pot.
15. Clover (White Clover)
Clover often gets written off as a “lawn weed,” but let’s give it some credit—it’s gorgeous, it fixes nitrogen in the soil, and yes, it’s edible.
White clover flowers can be used in teas or even baked goods, and the leaves are edible too. They’re mild and slightly grassy, but when dried, the flowers add a subtle vanilla-like flavor to herbal blends.
Plus, clover creates a soft, cushy carpet that feels amazing underfoot. And let’s be honest—finding a four-leaf clover never gets old. I’ve got a patch in my yard, and my kids treat it like a treasure hunt every summer. Free entertainment courtesy of nature.
16. Wintergreen
If you want a ground cover that looks good, smells amazing, and tastes refreshing, wintergreen is the jackpot.
This low-growing plant has glossy evergreen leaves and bright red berries that pop like little ornaments. Both the leaves and berries are edible—the leaves have a minty flavor, and the berries taste a bit like wintergreen gum.
The best part? It thrives in shade, so you can finally do something useful with those dark corners where grass refuses to grow.
I love nibbling on the berries while I’m out in the yard. They’re not super sweet, but they’ve got that refreshing kick that feels like nature’s breath mint. Plus, nothing beats walking into the yard in mid-winter and seeing those cheerful red berries against the snow.
Conclusion
So, there you have it—16 of the best edible ground cover plants for your yard.
We covered the fragrant superstars like thyme, oregano, and creeping rosemary. We snacked on alpine strawberries and nasturtiums. We got fancy with violets and wintergreen. And we even gave some love to underrated heroes like purslane and sorrel.
The truth is, your yard can do way more than just sit there looking green. With the right edible ground covers, it can become a living pantry, a pollinator paradise, and a conversation starter all at once.
Think about it—would you rather spend your weekends mowing grass that does nothing, or wandering barefoot through a yard that smells incredible, looks stunning, and hands you snacks whenever you feel like it?
Personally, I’ll take the snacks.
So grab a few of these plants, tuck them into your yard, and watch your landscape transform into something that’s both beautiful and edible. Your future self—out there sipping mint tea, snacking on strawberries, and garnishing salads with flowers—is already thanking you.
