Collection: California Native Groundcovers

California native groundcovers bring low-growing foliage, seasonal flowers, and a strong sense of place to slopes, path edges, habitat gardens, and spaces where a lawn is not the right answer. Depending on the species, they may form tidy mats, spreading carpets, or loose colonies that weave between larger plants.

Choose a native groundcover by mature spread, height, foot-traffic tolerance, and site conditions. Some thrive in full sun and lean, fast-draining soil; others come from woodland or coastal habitats and appreciate shade or more consistent moisture. Summer-water needs, cold tolerance, and growth rate vary substantially, so check each product page and match the plant’s regional adaptations to your garden.

Groundcover plants can help shade exposed soil, soften hard edges, and add shelter or forage for wildlife, but they do not eliminate every weed or maintenance task. Provide appropriate establishment water and manage competing weeds while plants fill in. On slopes or erosion-prone sites, combine groundcovers with deeper-rooted shrubs, grasses, or perennials for a more layered planting.

Explore more: Browse California native plants, explore native perennials, or shop plants by type.