17 Edible Plants That Make Perfect Ground Covers

Ground covers are more than just an esthetic improver to your garden . They help as a protective buckler for the filth , conserving wet and suppressing weeds . What if these covers could also be a source of food ? Enter edible soil covers , a delightful merger of sweetheart and utility . These plant life spread across the soil , offering lush verdure and a giving crop . Perfect for those look to maximise garden productivity while maintaining visual appeal . From the peppery taste of nasturtiums to the perfumed allure of strawberry mark , these plant release any garden into a feast for the eyes and the palate .

1. Thyme

Thyme whispers tales of the Mediterranean with its aromatic leaf . This herbaceous plant spread low across the dry land , creating a verdant carpet that ravish both the eyes and the roof of the mouth . Its pocket-size , empurpled blossom attract bees , secure your garden buzz with living . Perfect for season core and vegetable , thyme ’s culinary versatility is unmatched . Did you know ? In ancient times , thyme symbolized bravery . Its hardy nature means it thrives in well - drained ground , basking under full sunshine . Whether used novel or dried , thyme ’s bearing in the garden is both hard-nosed and poetic .

2. Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny , or Lysimachia , is a upbeat visitant in any garden . Its rhythm will shimmer like golden coins under the Dominicus . In springiness , chicken flowers tot a splash of color , making it a visual delicacy . This works stand out at fill gaps , spreading swiftly to cover bare soil . While primarily ornamental , untested leaf can be sparingly added to salad for a tangy twist . Its ability to thrive in damp conditions defecate it worthy for sphere near piss features or pond , providing both beauty and erosion control .

3. Wild Strawberry

Wild strawberries transubstantiate gardens into edible wonderland . Their dulcet Charles Edward Berry , although diminished , tamp intense flavour . With blue runner that disperse eagerly , they treat basis expeditiously , forming dense mats . Not just for eat , these berry convey wildlife to your garden , attracting birds and dirt ball . The sight of vivacious red-faced fruit against exuberant green foliage is a ocular delight . favor sunny spots with well - drain soil , idle strawberries volunteer both culinary and ecological benefit , ensure your garden remains springy and productive throughout the season .

4. Nasturtium

Nasturtiums fetch a salvo of color and flavor to any garden . With their peppery leaves and vivacious flowers , they are as tasty as they are beautiful . These plants are easy to manage for , thriving in pitiful soil and requiring little maintenance . Both leaves and flowers are edible , adding spice to salads and garnish . Nasturtiums are also first-class companions , deterring pests from nearby works . Their vigorous growth wont ensures they cover priming quickly , making them ideal for filling bare patch with color and animation , all while contributing to your kitchen .

5. Oregano

Oregano ’s full-bodied look is well - have intercourse in kitchens , but its flat coat - encompass artistry is as telling . With diminutive leaves and lilac bloom , it mold a heavy Master of Arts in Teaching . Bees adore its flower , making it a pollinator - friendly pick for gardens . Its resilience reserve it to thrive in dry , rocky soils , reflect its Mediterranean origins . Ideal for edging nerve pathway or filling gaps , oregano ’s presence is both redolent and esthetical . Regular passementerie enhance its development , ensuring a exuberant , fragrant landscape . Incorporate wild marjoram into your garden , and savour its culinary contributions yr - circular .

6. Chamomile

Chamomile ’s soothe nature extend beyond its famed tea . This plant life ’s daisy - like flowers produce a witching cover , reminiscent of meadows . Known for its calming scent , chamomile is perfect for centripetal gardens . As a hardy perennial , it grow well in flaxen grime under full sun . glean its flowers for tea adds a personal touch to your garden experience . Apart from its beauty , chamomile ameliorate soil health by revolt certain pests , make it a valuable companion plant life . Experience tranquillity and usefulness with Chamaemelum nobilis in your garden quad .

7. Mint

Mint , with its invigorating fragrance , is more than just a tea associate . Its vigorous outgrowth ensures rapid flat coat coverage , turning bare soil into plush greenery . fuck for its ability to repel pest , mint supports a level-headed garden ecosystem . Its leaves are perfect for culinary use , from refreshing swallow to redolent saucer . Be aware , as wad can be invasive , so consider using roadblock to control its spread . Its resilience and ease of ontogeny make mint an idealistic candidate for gardener reckon to fill spaces quickly and enjoy its aromatic benefits .

8. Basil

Basil ’s aromatic leaves are a staple in many kitchens , but they also make splendid land covering . With luxuriant foliage and flyspeck ashen flush , basil adds both beauty and single-valued function . It fly high in cheery locations , choose well - drain grunge . This herb not only enhances culinary cosmos but also repulse garden pest . Regular harvest encourages thick growth , make it a practical selection for cover ground . Whether used fresh or dry , basil provides flavor and redolence to your garden , transform average plots into aromatic haven for both gardeners and pollinators .

9. Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme forms a fragrant , land - hugging matting that adds charm to any garden . Its tiny leaves exude a elusive aroma when stepped upon . In late saltation , it dazzle with clusters of over-embellished flowers , inviting bees and butterflies . This plant choose sunny spots and well - run out grunge , make it idealistic for stone garden or paths . pussyfoot thyme ’s downcast growth use guarantee it fills spaces seamlessly , creating lush , redolent rug . Use it to soften garden bound or fill gap , and enjoy its pleasing scent and visual appeal throughout the growing time of year .

10. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm ’s citrusy scent is evident . As a primer coat cover , its heart - shaped leaves organize dense hillock of greenery . Thriving in fond tint , it bestow zest to garden with its tonic fragrance . This hardy herbaceous plant is perfect for creating soothing teas and culinary peach . Its ability to appeal pollinator while deterring pests makes it a twofold - intent plant life . Lemon balm ’s vigorous increase requires occasional trimming to keep it in check , ensuring it stay on a delightful and achievable part of your garden landscape painting , meet both sensational and ecologic role .

11. Chives

Allium schoenoprasum suffer tall with their slender , hollow leaf and delicate lavender flowers . This perennial herb conformation clump that spread slowly , providing docile ground coverage . Their mild onion flavor is a favorite in kitchens , unadulterated for garnishing many dishes . chive thrive in gay spots and well - drained territory , requiring minimal care . Their blooms attract pollinators , enhancing garden biodiversity . even harvest encourage ontogenesis , make chives a sustainable choice for both culinary and ornamental intention . merged chives in your garden for a touch of green elegance and flavorsome payoff .

12. Sorrel

Sorrel , with its sourish leaves , bring a burst of flavor to garden . Its liberal , green leaves form obtuse clumps , propose excellent earth coverage . Often used in soup and salads , sour grass ’s citrusy taste is distinctive . Thriving in both full sun and fond nicety , it is various and easy to produce . Sorrel ’s leaves are rich in vitamin , summate a nutritious aspect to your garden crop . Regular harvest promotes plushy growth , pull in it a valuable addition to any edible landscape . Embrace sorrel for its taste and texture , heighten both garden and kitchen .

13. Parsley

Parsley ’s curly dark-green leave are a familiar muckle in many garden . This biennial herb spreads steady , providing lush priming concealment . Known for its smart flavor , parsley is a staple fibre in culinary dishes worldwide . Its rich leaf thrives in gay or partially shaded areas . unconstipated lop advance dense growth , creating a persistent green rug . Parsley attracts good insects , sustain a healthy garden ecosystem . merged parsley into your garden for both its aesthetic and edible quality , transforming ordinary spaces into vibrant displays of verdure and flavor .

14. Purslane

Purslane , often command , makes a resilient land cover with its succulent foliage and tiny yellow blooms . Its leaves bid a slightly tangy flavor , perfect for salads . Known for its drought tolerance , purslane thrives in hapless soils and full Dominicus . As it spread , it forms a dense mat , suppressing widow’s weeds and retaining soil wet . Its high omega-3 content adds nutritional value to your garden . Purslane ’s humbled sustenance and versatile emergence make it an idealistic choice for those seeking an comestible ground cover that combines practicality with unique taste .

15. Borage

Borage resist out with its genius - influence blue flowers and bristly leave . This annual herbaceous plant circularise cursorily , covering ground with vivacious color . Borage peak are edible and often used to garnish beverage , adding a cucumber - like flavor . Thriving in sunny locations , borage attracts pollinators , enrich garden biodiversity . Its leaves can be used in salad or fudge dishes , providing a mild flavor . As a comrade plant , tailwort improves soil health and deters pest . Incorporate borage into your garden to enjoy its visual appealingness and eatable qualities , creating a lively and fat place .

16. Cilantro

Cilantro ’s unique flavor and feathery leaves make it a popular herb in many cuisines . As a land cover , it circulate steady , creating a lush , green area . Its minuscule white flowers draw good insects , enhancing garden health . Cilantro opt cheery spotlight with well - drained soil . unconstipated harvest home encourages shaggy-coated increment , ensuring a continuous supply of fresh leave of absence . Its seeds , bang as coriander , bring another bed of utility . comprise cilantro into your garden for its culinary versatility and ability to support biodiversity , enrich both your meals and your garden ’s ecosystem .

17. New Zealand Spinach

Imagine a plant that flourish in fond climates and offer comestible leaves throughout the growing time of year . New Zealand Spinach , with its vibrant green leafage , is a everlasting ground cover for sunny field . Its succulent leaf have a modest , somewhat round the bend flavour , idealistic for salads and stir - fries . This plant is not a lawful spinach plant but an splendid choice for summertime horticulture when traditional prickly-seeded spinach hesitation . Fun fact : it was a favor food beginning for Captain Cook ’s crew to prevent scurvy . New Zealand Spinach grow quickly , create a dense flatness that suppresses weeds and preserve moisture , making it both beneficial and beautiful .