Best Edible Ground Cover Plants For Your Yard

Why plant something that only looks good when you can grow a ground cover that also feeds you? Edible ground covers add beauty, control weeds, prevent erosion, and give you fresh ingredients right from your backyard.

They bring a balance of flavor and function, turning your yard into a thriving and useful landscape. Let’s dig into the top edible ground cover plants that will make your yard productive and full of life.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme offers a beautiful, low-growing mat with tiny leaves and pink to purple blooms in late spring. It adds charm to walkways and rock gardens, especially where water is scarce.

It brings a soft, earthy flavor to dishes like soups, stews, and roasted meats. You can step on it, and the leaves release a calming herbal scent.

It thrives in sunny spots with dry, well-drained soil and can handle light foot traffic. Because it’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it’s a solid choice for xeriscaping or lazy gardeners.

Hardiness zones: 4–9

2. Creeping Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’)

Creeping rosemary grows as a trailing mat of dark green, needle-like leaves. It stays evergreen in warmer climates, offering year-round visual appeal.

Its leaves bring strong, piney flavor to roasted meats, bread, and marinades. You’ll also enjoy the pleasant aroma that fills the air when the leaves are brushed.

It thrives in poor, dry soil and loves full sun, especially on slopes or rocky spots. Plant it where you need erosion control and a touch of Mediterranean flair.

Hardiness zones: 7–11

3. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Wild strawberries produce small but flavorful fruits perfect for fresh snacking or homemade jam. These plants also bloom with delicate white flowers and lush green foliage.

They form a spreading ground cover that adapts well to various soil types. Birds and pollinators love them, which helps improve your garden’s ecosystem.

Plant them in partial shade where they can spread freely and fill gaps. They return each year, making them a long-term addition to your edible landscape.

Hardiness zones: 5–9

4. Alpine Strawberries (Fragaria vesca ‘Alpina’)

Alpine strawberries are smaller than common varieties but pack a punch in flavor and fragrance. Their sweet berries taste great in desserts, salads, or straight from the vine.

These plants create a soft, spreading mat with tidy green leaves and delicate white flowers. They work well as edging plants or in tighter spaces like containers.

Grow them in partial shade for best results, and enjoy their fresh scent when you brush past. Their compact nature makes them a good fit for ornamental borders and edible landscapes.

Hardiness zones: 3–10

5. Mint (Mentha spp.)

Mint grows quickly and spreads aggressively, so plant it where you can contain it. Use barriers or containers to keep this refreshing herb from taking over.

You can choose from peppermint, spearmint, or even chocolate mint depending on your taste. It’s perfect for teas, salads, and summer cocktails.

The leaves release a cool aroma when touched, which adds to the sensory experience of your garden. It also helps suppress weeds and fills in empty areas fast.

Hardiness zones: 3–11

6. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums offer bright, trumpet-shaped flowers in red, orange, or yellow that look stunning in any yard. These edible blooms bring a peppery kick to salads and garnish dishes beautifully.

They spread out quickly and act like living mulch, covering bare patches and crowding out weeds. The trailing habit also makes them ideal for borders and container spills.

They self-seed easily, so they may return each season without much help. Grow them in sunny spots or partial shade, and water moderately for healthy blooms.

Hardiness zones: 9–11

7. Groundcover Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

This low-growing blueberry offers sweet fruit and evergreen foliage in one package. Small white or pink flowers bloom in spring, followed by delicious berries in summer.

Its spreading habit stabilizes soil on slopes and reduces weeds naturally. Plant it in acidic, well-drained soil with partial shade for best results.

Prune occasionally to keep it neat and productive. These berries are perfect for baking, jams, or fresh snacking straight from the garden.

Hardiness zones: 3–7

8. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Chamomile brings soft white flowers with yellow centers that look like tiny daisies. These blooms have a gentle apple scent and can be harvested for calming herbal tea.

It’s useful both for ground cover and as a companion plant that helps deter pests. You can dry the flowers or use them fresh to make your own tea blends.

It grows best in full sun or partial shade and tolerates a variety of soils. Plus, it adds a classic charm to cottage-style garden beds.

Hardiness zones: 2–9

9. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Oregano is a rugged, sun-loving herb with a savory punch of flavor. It’s a staple in Mediterranean dishes, adding depth to pizzas, sauces, and roasted veggies.

It forms a dense mat of aromatic green leaves that tolerate occasional foot traffic. That makes it great for borders, paths, or sunny herb gardens.

You can pinch the leaves for cooking anytime, and they’ll keep growing back. Like mint, control its spread with edging or occasional pruning.

Hardiness zones: 4–10

10. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff prefers shady areas, where other plants might struggle. It forms a thick, green mat with whorled leaves and tiny white flowers in spring.

This herb is traditionally used to flavor drinks like May wine and can be dried for tea. Its fragrance—sweet and hay-like—intensifies when the leaves are crushed or dried.

Grow it in moist, well-drained soil and plant it in spring or fall for best establishment. Use it under trees or along shaded paths for an elegant, soft look.

Hardiness zones: 4–8

Final Remarks

Edible ground covers are the perfect way to combine beauty with purpose in your yard. From thyme to strawberries to mint, these plants offer flavor, texture, and fragrance all in one.

Just choose what suits your climate and your kitchen, and watch your outdoor space transform. Be mindful of fast spreaders like mint, and always plan for their growth habits.