19 Ground Covers for Full Sun: Add Color to Your Sunny Garden

Full sun spots can be tricky in the garden, but they’re also prime real estate for some of the toughest, most beautiful ground covers out there. Whether you’re trying to fill in a dry, sunny patch or add a little color to a hot, exposed area, there’s a plant that can handle it. In this guide, you’ll find a collection of my favorite ground covers for brightening up those sunny spots and giving your garden the coverage it needs.

Best full sun Ground Cover Plants to Grow in Your Garden

For those new to ground cover plants, see our in-depth guide to the various types and classifications of ground cover plants.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is a sun-loving ground cover with tiny, fragrant leaves and clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers that bees can’t resist. It’s low-growing, spreads quickly, and works great between stepping stones or in hot, dry patches where other plants struggle. ‘Elfin’ is a popular variety for tight spaces, while ‘Pink Chintz’ offers a soft blush of color.

Growing Zones: 4–9
Flowering Months: May–July
Colors: Purple, Pink, White
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 2–4 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Rock gardens, pathways, dry areas

2. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Pink Sedum ground cover growing in a full sun garden

Sedum is practically made for full sun, thriving in dry, rocky soils where others would wilt. Its thick, fleshy leaves store water and the star-shaped flowers range from yellow to pink, depending on the variety. Try ‘Dragon’s Blood’ for its red-tinged leaves or ‘Angelina’ for its bright chartreuse foliage that lights up the garden.

Growing Zones: 3–9
Flowering Months: July–September
Colors: Yellow, Pink, Red
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 3–8 inches / 12–24 inches
Where to Plant: Rock gardens, dry areas, borders

3. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

Ice Plant is like a firework of color in your garden, with bright blooms in shades of pink, purple, or yellow that keep going all summer long. Its succulent leaves store water, making it perfect for dry, sunny areas. ‘Cooperi’ is a standout variety for its vibrant pink flowers and drought tolerance.

Growing Zones: 5–9
Flowering Months: May–September
Colors: Pink, Purple, Yellow
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 3–6 inches / 12–24 inches
Where to Plant: Dry areas, rock gardens, borders

4. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping Phlox ground cover plants growing in a sunny garden spot

Creeping Phlox creates a sea of color in spring with its blanket of pink, purple, white, or blue blooms. It’s low-maintenance and thrives in full sun, making it great for covering slopes or adding color to rock gardens. ‘Emerald Blue’ and ‘Candy Stripe’ are popular for their long-lasting blooms.

Growing Zones: 3–9
Flowering Months: April–June
Colors: Pink, White, Purple, Blue
When to Plant: Spring, Fall
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 3–6 inches / 12–24 inches
Where to Plant: Slopes, rock gardens, borders

5. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Yelllow Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) ground cover plants growing in a sunny rock garden

Creeping Jenny loves to spread, and its bright green or golden leaves brighten up any garden bed. It grows fast and cascades beautifully over edges or containers. Look for ‘Aurea’ if you want golden foliage that shines in full sun.

Growing Zones: 3–9
Flowering Months: June–July
Colors: Yellow
When to Plant: Spring, Fall
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 2–4 inches / 12–24 inches
Where to Plant: Borders, containers, wet areas

6. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb’s Ear is as soft as it sounds, with silvery, velvety leaves that kids love to touch. It’s perfect for sunny, dry spots with rugged but attractive ground cover. ‘Big Ears’ and ‘Silver Carpet’ are popular varieties that spread quickly and add texture to your garden.

Growing Zones: 4–8
Flowering Months: May–July
Colors: Purple
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 12–18 inches / 12–24 inches
Where to Plant: Borders, dry areas, rock gardens

7. Basket of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)

Yellow Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis) ground cover plants growing in a garden on a sunny day

As its name suggests, Basket of Gold lights up the garden with clusters of bright yellow flowers in spring. It’s a sun-lover, growing well in rock gardens or along sunny borders. ‘Compacta’ is a favorite for its neat growth habit and prolific blooms.

Growing Zones: 3–7
Flowering Months: April–May
Colors: Yellow
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 4–12 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Rock gardens, sunny borders

8. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

Blue Fescue adds a cool contrast to sunny spots with its spiky, silvery-blue foliage. It’s compact and forms tidy clumps that work well in borders or mass plantings. ‘Elijah Blue’ is the go-to variety, offering a striking blue hue and excellent drought tolerance.

Growing Zones: 4–9
Flowering Months: June–August
Colors: Silvery-Blue
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 6–10 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Borders, mass plantings, rock gardens

9. Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Mazus is a fast-spreading ground cover that loves sunny spots and moist soil. It creates a dense mat with small purple or white flowers appearing in late spring. ‘Albus’ is a lovely white-flowered variety, while the more common lavender version fills those sunny spaces well.

Growing Zones: 4–8
Flowering Months: April–June
Colors: Purple, White
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Shade
Height/Spread: 2–3 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Damp areas, borders, pathways

10. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

White Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) ground cover plants growing in a sunny garden

Snow-in-Summer is known for its silvery foliage and white flowers that create a stunning contrast in full sun. It’s an excellent choice for dry areas and thrives in poor soils. ‘Yo-Yo’ and ‘Silver Carpet’ are top choices for rock gardens and sunny borders.

Growing Zones: 3–7
Flowering Months: May–June
Colors: White
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 12–24 inches
Where to Plant: Dry areas, rock gardens, borders

11. Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae)

Silver Carpet is a sun-loving ground cover with low-growing, silvery leaves that spread out to form a tight mat. It’s tough, drought-tolerant, and produces small yellow flowers in the summer. Use it between stepping stones or as a lawn alternative where foot traffic is light.

Growing Zones: 9–11
Flowering Months: July–August
Colors: Yellow
When to Plant: Spring, Summer
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 1–3 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Pathways, dry areas, borders

12. Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)

Pink Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora) ground cover plants

Portulaca is a sun-worshipping succulent that’s perfect for dry, sunny spots. Its brightly colored flowers in shades of pink, orange, yellow, and red make it a cheerful addition to any garden. ‘Sundial Mix’ is a popular choice for its wide range of colors and long blooming period.

Growing Zones: 2–11
Flowering Months: June–September
Colors: Pink, Orange, Yellow, Red
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 3–6 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Dry areas

13. Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)

Pink Dianthus deltoides (Maiden Pink) ground cover plants

Dianthus, or “pinks,” are known for their spicy-sweet fragrance and long-lasting blooms in pink, red, and white. They thrive in well-drained, sunny spots and are perfect for edging or rock gardens. ‘Firewitch’ is a popular variety that produces bright magenta flowers and evergreen foliage.

Growing Zones: 3–9
Flowering Months: May-August
Colors: Pink, Red, White
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Borders, rock gardens, edging

14. Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)

Blue Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) ground cover plants

Hardy Plumbago offers deep blue flowers that appear in late summer and last into the fall. Its green leaves turn a lovely red in autumn, adding extra interest to sunny spots. It’s perfect for sunny borders or as a ground cover on slopes.

Growing Zones: 5–9
Flowering Months: August–October
Colors: Blue
When to Plant: Spring, Fall
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Slopes, borders, ground cover

15. Verbena (Verbena spp.)

Verbena ground cover plants growing in a sunny garden

Verbena is a blooming machine in full sun, producing clusters of tiny flowers in purple, pink, or white that last all summer. It’s a butterfly magnet and great for borders or containers. ‘Homestead Purple’ stands out for its vibrant color and tough nature.

Growing Zones: 7–11
Flowering Months: June–September
Colors: Purple, Pink, White
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 18–24 inches
Where to Plant: Borders, containers, butterfly gardens

16. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Bright white and yellow centered Roman Chamomile ground cover plants in a full sun garden

Roman Chamomile is a fragrant, low-growing ground cover with feathery leaves and daisy-like flowers. It loves full sun and is perfect for pathways or herb gardens. ‘Treneague’ is a non-flowering variety that forms a soft, aromatic mat.

Growing Zones: 4–9
Flowering Months: June–August
Colors: White, Yellow
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 4–12 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Pathways, herb gardens, borders

17. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Sweet Alyssum is a sun-loving ground cover that produces masses of tiny white, pink, or purple flowers all summer long. It’s perfect for borders, rock gardens, or filling in gaps. ‘Snow Princess’ is a favorite for its non-stop blooms and sweet fragrance.

Growing Zones: 5–9
Flowering Months: May–October
Colors: White, Pink, Purple
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Shade
Height/Spread: 4–6 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Borders, rock gardens, containers

18. Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)

Woolly Thyme is a fuzzy, low-growing ground cover that loves dry, sunny spots. It’s soft underfoot and produces tiny pink flowers in summer. Use it between pavers or in rock gardens for a soft, silvery-green carpet.

Growing Zones: 4–8
Flowering Months: June–August
Colors: Pink
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 1–3 inches / 12–18 inches
Where to Plant: Rock gardens, pathways, between pavers

19. Creeping Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’)

Creeping Rosemary is a fragrant herb that works wonderfully as a ground cover in sunny spots. It spills over walls or cascades across slopes, and its blue flowers attract pollinators. It’s perfect for dry, well-drained areas where other plants might struggle.

Growing Zones: 8–10
Flowering Months: Spring–Summer
Colors: Blue
When to Plant: Spring
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 24–36 inches
Where to Plant: Slopes, rock gardens, herb gardens

Linsay Evans

Contributing Editor | linsay@petalrepublic.com | Full Bio

Linsay is an American copywriter based in the Pacific Northwest with a background in academic writing and research. Linsay holds Master's degree in both Anthropology and Library and Information Sciences and has written for numerous national and international publications including USA Today, SFGATE, Hunker, and The Bump across an array of topics in the gardening, green living, and travel sectors. When she's not writing, you'll usually find Linsay reading, kayaking, sailing, snowboarding, or working in her garden.

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