Growing Plants Between Pavers: A Basic Guide to Plant Specification

Choosing the right plants to grow between pavers can transform a pathway into a visually appealing, practical part of your garden. But how can you make good plant choices that will avoid factors like weed invasion, poor plant durability, tripping hazards, and other headaches which are common due to poor plant choices?

This guide delves into the growing conditions, necessary plant characteristics, and considerations for optimal plant selection.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Plants Between Pavers

Soil Requirements

Plants that thrive between pavers must be adaptable to limited soil. Typically, the soil in these areas is compacted and low in nutrients – often draining quickly and being poor at retaining water. Hardy plants that can tolerate poor soil conditions are essential for successful growth.

Watering

The space between pavers can experience varying moisture levels. It may be dry due to rapid drainage, or occasionally waterlogged where drainage is limited. Selecting plants that are both drought-tolerant and capable of handling intermittent moisture is a good idea.

Sunlight

Light exposure between pavers can vary. Some areas may receive full sun, while others remain shaded by structures or the pavers themselves. Choosing plants with a wide range of light tolerance will ensure they thrive regardless of the sunlight variations. Especially in positions that get varied sunlight amounts between winter and summer.

Key Characteristics of Suitable Plants

Low Growth Habit

Plants with a low-growing habit are ideal, as they do not obstruct pathways. Low-growing strappy-leafed plants which stay compact at the same size, and creeping plants, which spread horizontally rather than vertically, are perfect for this purpose.

Pruning Requirements

There is a cost-benefit analysis to be made for plants that grow quickly and require more pruning vs slower-growing plants that take longer to colonise the space but require less pruning on an ongoing basis.

Some creepers will overtake the pavers if left to their own devices, while others tend to stay in place where they can put roots down without spreading over the paver.

Durability

If the pathway is frequently used, plants need to withstand foot traffic. Look for varieties with tough leaves and stems that can endure occasional trampling without damage.

Root System

Plants should have shallow yet robust root systems. This allows them to anchor effectively in the limited soil without disturbing the pavers’ placement.

What to Avoid

Invasive Species

Avoid invasive plants, as their roots can lift or displace pavers over time. Invasive species can also outcompete desired plants, reducing biodiversity within your garden. Invasiveness can relate to vigorous vegetative growth or virile seed reproduction.

Tall or Sprawling Plants

Taller plants or those that spread aggressively can create trip hazards and aesthetic issues. Sprawling plants can overtake paved areas, however they can be a great option which colonise bare soil between pavers – just make sure you commit to pruning and training them to stay within their confines.

Aggressive Root Systems

Plants with deep or aggressive roots can cause pavers to shift or crack. Opt for those with non-invasive root systems to maintain the structural integrity of your paved areas.

Considering Size in Plant Selection

Mature Plant Size

Select plants that stay small at maturity to fit comfortably within the space available. Overgrown plants can lead to overcrowding and competition for resources. With that being said, just because a plant label gives a mature width, that doesn’t mean you can keep it smaller through regular pruning.

Spacing Between Plants

While installing plants close together can help them cover the ground quickly, it’s a good idea to provide adequate spacing to prevent plants from competing with each other in the long-term. Proper spacing may ensure healthy growth and reduce maintenance needs.

Managing Weed Potentiality

Dense Growth

Plants that form dense mats can effectively suppress weed growth, reducing the need for manual weeding or chemical interventions.

Seed Reproduction

Some plants have virile seeds which can spread throughout your garden, and into the natural environment. Opt for varieties that have low weed potentiality, such as the Ozbreed catalogue of plants which have all been bred for non-weediness.

Best Plants for Between Pavers

Aussie Rambler™ Carpobrotus glaucescens ‘CAR10’ PBR

Aussie Rambler is a native groundcover with large, vibrant pink flowers and fleshy, succulent leaves. It spreads to form a dense mat, making it ideal for erosion control and decorative ground cover.

It’s perfect for between pavers, however its trailing stems will grow over pavers and require pruning or simply moving to encourage them to grow in the direction you wish. This plant is not sterile, but its seeds are not vigorous like other varieties and so is not considered “weedy.”

Size: Grows up to 20 cm in height and can spread approximately 2 m wide.

Climate Tolerance: Suitable for NSW, QLD (more testing needed in northern QLD), VIC, SA, WA, and TAS.

Pink Fusion™ Scaevola spp. ‘PFS200’ PBR Intended

Pink Fusion™ Scaevola is a long-lived, tough ground cover with compact green foliage and pink fan flowers. This plant is excellent at outcompeting weeds, however trailing stems should be regularly pruned if you wish to keep your paved areas neat and tidy.

Size: Grows up to 30 cm high and spreads 80 cm to 1.2 m wide.

Climate Tolerance: Suitable Australia-wide. Tolerates extreme heat, cold, drought, and semi-wet conditions. Thrives in sun to light shade and most soil types.

Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid  ‘GT20’ PBR

Double Gold™ Gazania is a fast-establishing, sterile ground cover with clean foliage and masses of yellow flowers appearing most of the year. It outcompetes weeds and requires minimal care once established.

This plant won’t overtake paved areas like other trailing plants – instead, it softens the hard lines of pavers without invasively colonising over their tops. It’s also a sterile variety that won’t produce weeds.

Size: Grows approximately 20 cm high and 60 cm wide.

Climate Tolerance: Suitable for NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA, and QLD (excluding northern QLD). Tolerates full sun, frost, drought, and a range of soil types from free-draining to heavy clay.

Isabella® Liriope muscari ‘LIRF’ PBR

Isabella® Liriope is a fine-leaf, compact spreading plant with beautiful pink flowers. It serves as a low-maintenance lawn alternative or garden border, requiring only one (optional) prune or mow per year.

It outperforms Mondo grass in full sun, drought, and frost conditions, and recovers better from damage. Unlike other liriopes, this variety is nice and short so is less likely to trip pedestrians. This plant is not sterile, but its seeds are barely viable meaning it’s not invasive.

Size: Grows 40 cm high x 50 cm wide. After mowing, it ranges from 15–20 cm high x 20–30 cm wide.

Climate Tolerance: Suitable for NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, SA, WA, TAS, and NT. Tolerates full sun to 90% shade, frost, drought, and humidity.

Ozbreed Zen Grass® Zoysia spp. ‘ZOY01’ PBR

Ozbreed Zen Grass® Zoysia is a low-maintenance, fast-spreading Japanese lawn grass with a unique undulating surface. It requires only annual trimming in warmer climates where it grows faster, and effectively reduces weeds due to its dense growth. It looks incredible between pavers with its bumpy growth habit, and is not invasive by seed.

Size: Grows 10-20 cm high and spreads up to 1 m wide.

Climate Tolerance: Extremely tolerant of drought, frost, heat, and shade; suitable Australia-wide. Trials needed in QLD and ACT.

Border Blue™ Dianthus ‘DIAN 202’ PBR Intended

Border Blue™ Dianthus features clean blue foliage and vivid pink mottled flowers, forming lush clumps ideal for garden borders. It has exceptional longevity and heat tolerance, requiring minimal care. This plant can be planted along path borders, or in between pavers as its foliage only reaches 15cm high.

Size: Foliage height up to 15 cm; flowers reach 30 cm high and 30-40 cm wide.

Climate Tolerance: Suitable for NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, NT, SA, and WA. Thrives in full sun to part shade.

Other Native Australian Plants for Between Pavers

• Dichondra repens (kidney weed) – A low-growing groundcover with small, rounded leaves and a dense mat-like habit, ideal for shaded or semi-shaded areas.
• Myoporum parvifolium (creeping boobialla) – This prostrate shrub has small, fleshy leaves and delicate white flowers, suitable for sunny positions.
• Viola hederacea (native violet) – A spreading groundcover with heart-shaped leaves and pretty purple and white flowers, thriving in moist, shaded conditions.
• Scleranthus biflorus (cushion plant) – Forms a soft, moss-like mat and is excellent for sunny, well-drained spots between pavers.
• Pratia pedunculata (blue star creeper) – Known for its small star-shaped blue flowers and creeping habit, it grows well in both sun and partial shade.
• Chrysocephalum apiculatum (yellow buttons) – A hardy groundcover with bright yellow flower heads, tolerates dry conditions and full sun.
• Carpobrotus rossii (native pigface) – Succulent groundcover with vibrant pink flowers, thrives in sandy soils and full sun.
• Kennedia prostrata (running postman) – Features red pea-like flowers and a trailing habit, suitable for sunny and semi-shaded areas.
• Goodenia ovata (prostrate goodenia) – Low-growing form with yellow flowers, adaptable to various soil types and light conditions.
• Acaena novae-zelandiae (bidgee-widgee) – Forms a dense mat with small, toothed leaves and burr-like seed heads, ideal for sunny and partially shaded spots. 

Other Exotic Plants for Between Pavers

• Thymus serpyllum (creeping thyme) – A fragrant, low-growing herb with tiny purple flowers, perfect for sunny, well-drained areas.
• Sagina subulata (Irish moss) – Forms a dense, moss-like mat with small white flowers, suitable for shaded or partially shaded spaces.
• Ajuga reptans (bugleweed) – A robust groundcover with glossy leaves and spikes of blue flowers, adaptable to various light conditions.
• Soleirolia soleirolii (baby’s tears) – This plant has tiny, rounded leaves and creates a lush carpet, ideal for shaded and moist environments.
• Mazus reptans (creeping mazus) – Features small lavender-blue flowers and spreads quickly, thriving in both sun and partial shade.
• Dymondia margaretae (silver carpet) – Low-growing with silver-grey foliage and yellow daisy-like flowers, tolerates drought and full sun.
• Sedum acre (goldmoss stonecrop) – A succulent groundcover with yellow flowers, excellent for hot, dry areas.
• Leptinella squalida (brass buttons) – Forms a dense mat with fern-like leaves and tiny yellow-green flowers, suitable for shaded areas.
• Laurentia fluviatilis (blue star creeper) – Produces small blue flowers and forms a dense carpet, adaptable to various light conditions.
• Veronica repens (creeping speedwell) – Small white or blue flowers and a low-growing habit, perfect for filling gaps between pavers in sun or partial shade.

Daniel’s Wrap

By understanding these factors, you can select plants that enhance the aesthetic appeal of your paved areas and contribute to a functional, low-maintenance landscape. With the right choices, your garden paths can become attractive and practical features of your outdoor space.