When planning a garden path, figuring out what to plant between stepping stones is a key detail. Selecting plants for the gaps between stepping stones requires choosing varieties that tolerate light foot traffic and tight spaces.
This choice does more than just fill empty spots. The right plants can prevent weeds, reduce mud, and create a beautiful, living pathway that connects different areas of your yard. They soften the hard edges of stone and add fragrance and color underfoot.
This guide will help you choose the best plants for your specific path, considering sunlight, climate, and how much walking you plan to do on it. We’ll cover ground-hugging perennials, resilient herbs, and even some moss options.
What To Plant Between Stepping Stones
The ideal plants for stepping stone gaps share a few important traits. They should be low-growing to avoid tripping hazards, tough enough to handle occasional footsteps, and adaptable to shallow soil. Drought tolerance is also a major plus, as the stones can create warm, dry microclimates.
Here is a comprehensive list of excellent plants categorized by their growing conditions and primary characteristics. Remember to always check your local hardiness zone to ensure a plant will thrive in your climate.
Top Perennial Groundcovers For Sun
For pathways that receive six or more hours of direct sunlight, these perennials are stellar choices. They are generally drought-resistant once established and can handle plenty of heat.
- Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): Perhaps the top choice. It forms a dense, fragrant mat, tolerates foot traffic beautifully, and offers tiny pink or purple flowers. Varieties like ‘Elfin’ are exceptionally compact.
- Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’): Offers a grass-like appearance but is incredibly tough and slow-growing. Its dark green, tufted leaves provide excellent contrast to stone and it handles partial sun too.
- Sedum (Stonecrop): Many low-growing sedums, like Sedum album or Sedum spurium, are perfect. They have succulent leaves that retain water, thrive in poor soil, and often have colorful foliage and blooms.
- Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans): Spreads quickly to form a carpet of green that becomes covered in small purple or white flowers in spring and summer. It prefers consistent moisture but is quite adaptable.
- Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis): Not to be confused with the more invasive Laurentia, this variety forms a lush green mat dotted with tiny, pale blue star-shaped flowers throughout the warm season.
Best Plants For Shady Pathways
Paths under trees or on the north side of a house need plants that prosper without full sun. These options prefer cooler, moister conditions.
- Irish Moss or Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata): These are not true mosses but perennials that form moss-like cushions of bright green (Irish) or golden yellow (Scotch). They love moisture and partial shade.
- Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii): The smallest of the mints, it releases a powerful peppermint scent when crushed. It requires consistent moisture and shade, making it ideal for damp, shady stone paths.
- Ajuga (Bugleweed): Ajuga spreads by runners and offers attractive foliage in shades of green, bronze, or purple, with spikes of blue flowers in spring. It’s very robust in shade.
- Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): Prefers full to partial shade and moist soil. It features whorls of bright green leaves and tiny white spring flowers, and it gives off a sweet hay scent when dried.
Fragrant Herbs That Thrive With Foot Traffic
Planting herbs between your stones is a practical and sensory delight. They release their scents when brushed against or lightly stepped on.
- Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus): Softer to the touch than creeping thyme, with fuzzy grey-green leaves and light pink flowers. It’s exceptionally drought-tolerant and handles light foot traffic well.
- Creeping Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’): A trailing form of the classic herb. It needs full sun and excellent drainage but will reward you with aromatic leaves and blue flowers. Best for wider gaps.
- Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): The non-flowering ‘Treneague’ variety is a classic lawn substitute. It forms a dense, apple-scented mat and can handle light walking. It prefers full sun.
- Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii): Worth mentioning again for its incredible fragrance in shady, moist paths.
Considerations For Moss And Other Options
For a truly ancient, serene look, moss can be an excellent choice. It’s not for every situation, but when conditions align, the effect is magical.
- True Moss (Various species): Moss requires consistent moisture, shade, and acidic soil. You can encourage existing moss by scraping the soil and keeping it moist, or transplant patches from elsewhere in your yard. It feels wonderful under bare feet.
- Miniature Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida): A unique option with fern-like, bronze-green foliage that forms a tight mat. It tolerates partial shade and some foot traffic, offering a very textural look.
- Elfin Creeping Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium ‘Gibraltar’): A very low, dense mint with a strong aroma that can deter insects. It likes moist soil and sun to part shade.
How To Choose The Right Plants For Your Path
Picking plants isn’t just about aesthetics. You need to match the plant to the specific conditions of your pathway to ensure long-term success. Asking a few key questions will guide you to the best selections.
Assess Sunlight And Climate Conditions
The amount of sun your path receives is the single most important factor. Observe the area over a full day to determine if it’s full sun (6+ hours), part sun/shade (3-6 hours), or full shade (less than 3 hours).
Next, consider your USDA Hardiness Zone and local microclimate. Is the path in a windy spot? Does it get reflected heat from a wall? Choose plants rated for your zone that can handle these specific conditions.
Evaluate Foot Traffic Levels
Be honest about how much the path will be used. Is it a main thoroughfare to the front door or a seldom-used decorative path in a side garden?
- High Traffic (Daily Use): Opt for the toughest plants: Dwarf Mondo Grass, creeping thyme, or sedum. Avoid delicate mosses or Irish moss in these areas.
- Light to Moderate Traffic: Most plants on this list will work here, including ajuga, creeping mazus, and woolly thyme.
- Decorative (Rarely Walked On): This is where you can use more delicate choices like true moss, Corsican mint, or miniature brass buttons for maximum visual impact.
Consider Soil And Drainage Factors
The gaps between stones often have poor, compacted soil. Most plants listed prefer well-draining soil. You will likely need to amend the planting pockets with compost or sandy soil to improve texture and nutrients.
Good drainage is critical to prevent root rot, especially for herbs like thyme and rosemary. If your path is in a low, wet area, choose moisture-loving plants like sweet woodruff or Corsican mint instead.
Step-By-Step Planting Guide
Proper planting technique ensures your chosen groundcovers establish quickly and fill in the gaps effectively. Follow these steps for the best results.
Preparing The Gaps For Planting
First, you need to create a hospitable environment for your new plants. Start by removing all weeds and grass from the gaps, ensuring you get the roots out.
Loosen the existing soil to a depth of about 4 to 6 inches. If the soil is heavy clay, mix in some coarse sand or fine gravel and compost to dramatically improve drainage and fertility. This step is crucial for plant health.
Selecting And Placing Your Plants
For a natural look, use a single plant type throughout, or mix two complementary varieties (like green and golden moss). Purchase small cell packs or plugs, which are economical and easier to fit into tight spaces than larger pots.
Arrange the plants in their pots on the path before planting to visualize spacing. Generally, space plants 6 to 8 inches apart, depending on their spread rate. Faster spreaders can be planted farther apart.
Planting And Initial Care Instructions
- Gently remove a plant from its container and loosen the roots slightly.
- Dig a hole in the prepared gap that is slightly wider and as deep as the root ball.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Backfill with your soil mix and firm it gently.
- Water each plant thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
- For the first few weeks, water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, until you see new growth indicating establishment.
Long Term Maintenance And Care Tips
A well-planted stepping stone path requires minimal upkeep, but a little attention keeps it looking its best for years to come. The maintence needs are generally low but important.
Watering And Feeding Schedule
Once established, most of these plants are quite drought-tolerant. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells, especially for plants in full sun. Container plants and new plantings need more frequent watering.
Feeding is usually minimal. A light application of a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring is often sufficient. Over-fertilizing can cause excessive, weak growth that is less tolerant of foot traffic.
Pruning And Controlling Spread
To keep plants tidy and encourage dense growth, a light trim or “haircut” with shears after flowering or in early spring is beneficial. This is especially true for thyme, mazus, and sedum.
Monitor plants that spread by runners, like ajuga or creeping mazus, to ensure they don’t overgrow onto the stepping stones themselves. Simply trim back any encroaching stems as needed.
Seasonal Care And Weed Prevention
In fall, gently clear fallen leaves from the path to prevent smothering the plants. In very cold climates, a light layer of evergreen boughs can provide protection for more tender plants like Corsican mint in their first winter.
The dense mat formed by these plants is your best defense against weeds. For any occasional weeds that appear, hand-pull them early before they set seed. Avoid using herbicides, which can easily damage or kill your desirable groundcovers.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Even with the right plants, a few simple errors can undermine your beautiful path. Being aware of these pitfalls will save you time and frustration.
Choosing Plants That Grow Too Tall
Avoid plants labeled as “groundcover” that actually grow several inches tall. They can become a tripping hazard and look unkempt. Always check the mature height and look for terms like “mat-forming” or “creeping.”
Overlooking Drainage Needs
Planting species that need excellent drainage (like thyme or sedum) in heavy, wet clay is a recipe for failure. Amending the soil or choosing a different plant for wet areas is essential. This is one of the most common reasons plants die in these settings.
Forgetting About Invasive Tendencies
Some vigorous spreaders can escape the path and become a nuisance in lawns or flower beds. Research a plant’s growth habit in your region before planting. For example, some mints are extremely invasive and should only be used in fully contained areas.
Planting Too Far Apart Or Too Close
Spacing plants too far apart leaves room for weeds and looks sparse for too long. Spacing them too close together wastes money and can lead to overcrowding and disease as they mature. Follow the nursery’s recommended spacing for a full, healthy cover.
Design Ideas For Aesthetic Appeal
Beyond just filling gaps, you can use your plant choices to create visual interest and harmony in your garden design. Think about color, texture, and the overall feel you want.
Creating Color And Texture Contrast
Pair dark stone with bright green or golden plants (like Scotch moss or golden creeping thyme). Light-colored stone looks stunning with dark green dwarf mondo grass or blue-green sedum.
Mix textures for a rich tapestry: combine the fine texture of thyme with the broader leaves of ajuga, or the succulent leaves of sedum with the feathery foliage of miniature brass buttons.
Incorporating A Theme Or Style
- Cottage Garden: Use a mix of creeping thyme, chamomile, and self-seanding violas for a casual, fragrant feel.
- Modern/Asian Inspired: Stick to one simple, textural plant like dwarf mondo grass or moss for a clean, serene look.
- Mediterranean: Use various thymes, creeping rosemary, and sedums to evoke a sunny, dry landscape.
- Woodland: In shady paths, combine moss, sweet woodruff, and ajuga for a natural, forest-floor appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Low Maintenance Plant For Between Stepping Stones?
Creeping thyme and dwarf mondo grass are among the best low-maintenance options. Once established, they require very little water, no mowing, and only occasional trimming to look great year after year.
Can You Plant Succulents Between Pavers?
Yes, many low-growing sedums and sempervivums (hens and chicks) are excellent choices for sunny, well-drained paths. They are extremely drought-tolerant and add wonderful color and form. Ensure the soil is gritty and drains quickly.
What Can I Put Between Stepping Stones Besides Plants?
For a non-living option, inorganic materials like gravel, decomposed granite, or polymeric sand are common. For an organic look, you can use moss milkshake to encourage moss growth, or even use a low-growing clover seed mix.
How Do I Stop Weeds Growing Between My Stepping Stones?
The most effective method is to plant dense, desirable groundcovers that leave no room for weeds to establish. As a preventative measure during installation, use a quality landscape fabric beneath the stones and planting soil, or ensure the planting pockets are filled completely with your chosen plants.
Is It Better To Use Mortar Between Stepping Stones?
Mortar creates a permanent, solid, and weed-proof surface, but it eliminates the possibility of planting. For a flexible, natural, and permeable path that supports plant life, setting stones in sand or soil and planting the gaps is the preferred garden-friendly approach.