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Here is a list of commonly grown ground covers.
1. Duranta goldiana (Verbenaceae):
It is recently introduced ground cover in Indian gardens and has gained popularity in very short period. New emerging leaves are of golden colour which makes it very attractive. Plant can be maintained as low as 10 cm by constant trimming that it can attain the height of 60-75 cm. It is easily propagated by terminal cuttings.
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2. Iresine lindenii (Amaranthaceae):
It is commonly called as Lal patti due to red-crimson colour foliage. It is very common ground cover and grows upto 15-30 cm and can be trimmed as low as desired. It is also easily propagated by terminal cuttings.
3. Alternanthera versicolour syn. alternanther ficoidea var. amoena (Amaranthaceae):
It is most commonly used ground cover due to its attractive foliage colour and makes fast growth. Plants grow about 15-20 cm. Leaves are of reddish scarlet, orange, purple and red colour. It is very easily propagated by cuttings. Alternanthera ficoidea— the colour of foliage is green and it makes good contrast. Alternanthera variegate —the colour of foliage is green and white or green and yellow.
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4. Wadelia trilobata (Compositae):
It is trailing type, grows very fast and covers the larger area in very short duration. It produces small star like yellow coloured flowers which makes it more attractive. Every node produces roots so it is propagated very easily by cuttings and terminal cutting. It stands trimming and can be kept in desired shapes.
5. Ipomea tri-colour (Convolvulaceae):
It is trailing type and produces coloured leaves reflecting purplish, yellowish and greenish effects. It is comparatively slow growing but easily propagated by cuttings.
6. Ipomea charteruse (Convolvulaceae):
It is also trailing type and produces golden yellow coloured leaves. It is tropical in nature and flourishes very well in tropical climate whereas under sub-tropical climate its foliage gets killed during winter months. During rainy season it is commonly attacked by leaf borers which makes small holes in the leaves and mar the beauty of golden foliage.
7. Cuphea hyssopifolia (Lythraceae):
It is a small shrub hardly growing about 30-45 cm with a small leaves and produces purplish flowers. Cuphea Alba produces white colour flowers. Plants need high moisture conditions for better growth. It is easily propagated by stem cuttings or by dividing the plants.
8. Zebrina pendula (Commelinaceae):
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Plants have trailing stem and easily breaking at nodes from where it strikes roots easily and hence, it is propagated very easily by stem cuttings. Leaves are fleshy and have greyish streak on the upper surface. It grows fast in semi shady situations and makes good ground cover.
Zebrina pendula var quadricolour has purplish green, broadly banded, glistening white with pink and carmine and silver strips. Zebrina pendula dis-colour has large glossy coppery leaves edged with metallic purple with two narrow silver bands and is purple beneath.
9. Tradescantia flamiensis (Commelinaceae):
It is very good, hardy colourful plants which are used for colourful effects as a ground covers. Leaves are sessile, ovate, and large of purplish red colour and make a very good contrast with green of other ground cover. It is very easily propagated by stem cuttings and grows very luxuriantly in semi shady situations without any difficulty.
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10. Strobilanthes scaber (Acanthaceae):
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It is dwarf plant with trailing habit and is easy to grow. Plants have shining dark green leaves. The flowers are yellow colour produced in great abundance in clusters during marks. It is propagated by cuttings. It makes good ground cover in shady situations.
11. Asystasia coromandeliana (Acanthaceae):
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It is a herbaceous perennial plant which grows very fast under partial shady situations. Plants have trailing habit and bear numerous lavender coloured flowers with a yellow tube. It can with stand adverse weather condition. It is easily propagated by cuttings.
12. Lantana sellowiana (Verbenanceae):
It is hardy plant with trailing habit and hardy grows about 30 cm. Leaves are dark green and crinkled. Flowers of pink mauve colour are produced in abundance in the form globular head. It is easily propagated by seed or cuttings.
13. Oxalis sp. (Oxalidaceae):
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It is easy to grow and hardly grows about 15 cm. Leaves are trifoliate and of which crimson colour which makes very good contrast with green colour ground covers. It is very good ground cover for partial shady situations. It is easily propagated by separation of bulbs from mother bulb or by seed.
14. Aptenia cordifolia (Aizoaceae):
Plants are prostrate and stems are covered with glistening papillae. Leaves are cordate, short stalked fleshy and covered by papillae. Small flowers are short stalked and purplish red in colour. Ideally suited for rockery and thus requires less watering. Flowering occurs during May to September. It is easily propagated by stem cuttings.
15. Opheopogon japonicus (Graminae):
A small grass with little broader green leaves. It makes a good ground cover for partial shady situations. It is multiplied by dividing the plants.
16. Browalia speciosa (Solanaceae):
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It is commonly called as Bush violet or Amethyst violet. It is a slow growing, upright flowering ground cover. It needs pinching of branches to make plants bushy. It produces small violet flowers. Propagation is done through seeds as well as through cuttings. It is sensitive to frost injury.
17. Juniperus horizontalis (Conifereae):
It has trailing stem and branches grow horizontally above the ground. It grows about 30 cm high and its branches are highly matted and hence, it makes very good ground cover. It is preferred at prime location in the garden or in front of house.
