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20 Best Australian Native Ground Cover Plants: Low-Maintenance Options for Your Garden

Australian native ground cover plants are ideal for creating lush, low-maintenance gardens that thrive in local conditions. These plants not only reduce the need for extensive watering and fertilising but also attract native wildlife, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden. Below, we list 20 of the best Australian native ground cover plants that require minimal care.

1. Pigface (Carpobrotus spp.)

Known for its vibrant, daisy-like flowers and succulent foliage, Pigface is perfect for sandy soils and coastal gardens.

2. Creeping Boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium)

A hardy, fast-growing plant that provides excellent ground cover and produces small white or mauve flowers.

3. Native Violet (Viola hederacea)

With delicate purple and white flowers, this plant thrives in shaded areas and spreads quickly.

4. Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonoides)

An edible ground cover with sprawling growth, suitable for sunny or semi-shaded areas.

5. Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata)

This trailing plant features bright red flowers, adding a splash of colour to your garden.

6. Old Man’s Beard (Clematis microphylla)

A fast-growing climber that can also be used as ground cover, ideal for rocky or well-drained soils.

7. Kidney Weed (Dichondra repens)

A dense, soft ground cover suitable for lawn replacement or pathways.

8. Emu Groundcover (Goodenia spp.)

With cheerful yellow flowers, this plant thrives in various soil types and is drought-tolerant.

9. Creeping Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)

A hardy option for arid and coastal regions, known for its silvery-green foliage.

10. Native Mint (Mentha australis)

A fragrant ground cover that grows well near water sources and shaded areas.

11. Coastal Cushion Bush (Leucophyta brownii)

A compact, rounded plant with silver foliage, perfect for coastal and windy conditions.

12. Prostrate Grevillea (Grevillea spp.)

With low-growing forms and colourful blooms, Grevillea attracts birds and pollinators.

13. Muntries (Kunzea pomifera)

An edible plant with small berries, ideal for coastal or sandy soils.

14. Sandhill Groundcover (Rhagodia spinescens)

This salt-tolerant plant is great for stabilising sandy or sloped areas.

15. Native Rosemary (Westringia spp.)

Resilient and drought-tolerant, it creates dense ground cover with small white or mauve flowers.

16. Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)

Bright yellow flowers and silvery leaves make this a striking and hardy choice.

17. Cushion Bush (Calocephalus brownii)

A unique plant with spherical, silver-grey foliage, suitable for dry regions.

18. Dichondra Silver Falls (Dichondra argentea)

This cascading plant with silvery leaves works well in pots or as a ground cover.

19. Snake Vine (Hibbertia scandens)

A vigorous grower with cheerful yellow flowers, perfect for covering large areas.

20. Mat Rush (Lomandra spp.)

A versatile and hardy plant that provides dense coverage and is tolerant of drought.