Why settle for a yard that only looks good, when it can also taste good? With edible ground cover plants, you can enjoy lush greenery that not only fills in empty spaces but also feeds your family.
These plants suppress weeds, retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, and offer a harvest — all in one!
Whether you have a large yard, a small garden, or just want to make the most of your landscaping, here are some of the best edible ground covers that are both practical and attractive.
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is a fragrant, fast-spreading herb that makes an excellent edible ground cover.
- Benefits: Drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and thrives in full sun
- Uses: Snip the leaves for cooking or herbal tea
- Bonus: It releases a wonderful scent when stepped on
2. Strawberries (Fragaria spp.)
These sweet berries aren’t just tasty — they’re also perfect for covering ground quickly.
- Benefits: Produces delicious fruit, spreads easily
- Uses: Great for snacking, jams, desserts, or freezing
- Tip: Choose alpine strawberries for low-maintenance and ornamental beauty
3. Oregano
Oregano is a hardy herb that spreads easily and adds flavor to many dishes.
- Benefits: Perennial in many zones, attracts beneficial insects
- Uses: Pizza, pasta sauces, marinades, and more
- Varieties: Try Greek oregano for bold flavor
4. Mint (in Containers or Bordered Beds)
Mint spreads very aggressively, so it’s best used with caution — but it makes a wonderful edible ground cover when contained.
- Benefits: Fast-growing, aromatic, and low-maintenance
- Uses: Tea, desserts, salads, sauces, and cocktails
- Caution: Keep it from overtaking your garden by using edging or pots
5. Chives
Chives form soft, grassy clumps that can be divided and spread around.
- Benefits: Attractive purple flowers, mild onion flavor
- Uses: Salads, baked potatoes, omelets, and soups
- Bonus: Flowers are edible and great for pollinators
6. Low-Growing Lettuce or Salad Greens
Loose-leaf lettuces and other salad greens can be grown densely as a ground cover.
- Benefits: Quick-growing, easy to harvest
- Uses: Fresh salads, sandwiches, garnishes
- Tip: Try cut-and-come-again varieties for continuous harvest
7. Sweet Potato Vine (Edible Varieties)
Some sweet potato vines are edible both for their leaves and roots.
- Benefits: Dense growth, attractive foliage
- Uses: Young leaves can be sautéed like spinach; roots are harvested in fall
- Note: Be sure to choose an edible variety, as some ornamental types are not for eating
8. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are both beautiful and edible — and they trail and spread well in open spaces.
- Benefits: Vibrant flowers, edible leaves and blooms
- Uses: Add to salads for a peppery kick, or use flowers as garnish
- Bonus: Repels pests and attracts beneficial insects
9. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
This native plant is a slow-growing, shade-loving ground cover with edible roots (though caution is advised).
- Benefits: Great for woodland gardens and shady areas
- Uses: Roots were historically used as a spice substitute
- Caution: Edibility is debated — use sparingly and research thoroughly
10. Claytonia (Miner’s Lettuce)
This delicate green thrives in cooler climates and partial shade.
- Benefits: Self-seeds easily, grows well in spring and fall
- Uses: Delicious in salads, rich in Vitamin C
- Tip: Harvest tender leaves before they flower for best flavor
Final Thoughts
Edible ground covers are a smart and sustainable way to enhance your yard’s beauty while making your landscape more productive.
Whether you’re looking for herbs, berries, greens, or flowers, there’s a plant for every climate and garden style.
With a little planning, you can create a yard that not only looks amazing — but also feeds your body and soul.