How to Plant Ground Cover | Spacing, Soil, and Timing

Ground cover planting looks simple, but the work that happens before plants go in the ground decides whether you get a lush carpet or a patchy, weed-choked mess. The single biggest mistake is skipping weed removal, because most ground covers compete poorly with established perennial weeds. If you are looking for specific varieties, our roundup of the best small white flowering ground cover options gives you proven choices and their mature sizes.

Preparing the Bed Before You Plant

Start by eliminating all weeds and turf from the planting area. Perennial weeds with deep roots or spreading rhizomes will fight your ground cover for years if left in place. Use an herbicide, smother them with black plastic for a season, or dig them out physically. Whatever method you choose, do this before any soil amendment.

Once the bed is weed-free, till the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and work in organic matter.

Spacing: The Decision That Determines Coverage Speed

There is no universal spacing for ground covers. The right distance depends on the plant’s mature size, growth rate, and how quickly you want the area filled in. Faster growers can be spaced farther apart than slow growers, but planting too far apart invites weeds to colonize the gaps before your plants knit together.

Set plants in staggered rows rather than straight grid lines. This diamond pattern reduces the distance between neighboring plants and produces faster coverage with fewer weed gaps. The table below shows how spacing choices play out in practice.

Illinois Extension notes that most ground covers need one to two growing seasons to become established, and some take until the end of the third season to fully cover their area. Plan your expectations around that timeline.

Planting Steps and First-Season Care

Dig each hole slightly wider than the root ball and set the plant at the same depth it sat in its container. Backfill, firm the soil gently, and water thoroughly immediately after planting. Space plants in those staggered rows as you go.

Water consistently during the first season, especially through dry spells. Newly planted ground covers have shallow root systems and dry out fast. Summer planting is possible but demands noticeably more irrigation, so spring or early fall gives you the easiest establishment window.

Mulch lightly after planting with 2-3 inches of organic mulch, but keep it away from plant stems — mulch piled against stems traps moisture and encourages rot. On slopes, use mulch or fiber erosion netting to keep soil in place during heavy rain.

Fertilizing and Common Mistakes to Skip

Soil testing is the preferred way to know what fertilizer your bed needs. If you skip the test, a complete fertilizer applied at planting gives most ground covers a good start.

The mistakes that sink ground cover plantings are consistent across extension sources. Skipping weed removal tops the list. Planting too far apart lets weeds win the gaps. Planting too close wastes money and crowds plants. Neglecting first-season watering, especially under trees where roots compete for moisture, sets establishment back a full year.

Until your ground cover fills in, plan on extra weed control. Hand-pull invaders or spot-treat with herbicide, following the label and confirming compatibility with your specific species.

Get the prep right, space for your plant’s growth habit, and water through that first season — your ground cover will knit into a solid carpet that chokes out weeds on its own.