Sandy Soil Ground Cover for Plants

Sedum is an excellent plant for sandy soil.

Sandy soil is usually very low in nutrients, so finding the right ground cover is key to success. Although there are numerous ground covers, sedum is the best for hot, dry, sandy soil; corydalis is excellent for shady sandy soil.

Sunny Areas

Sedum is an excellent plant choice for sunny areas of your garden with sandy soil. The ground-cover varieties grow from 1 to 3 inches tall. Sedum is a succulent and stores water for a long time, making it excellent for conserving water in sandy soil. It is a hardy plant that survives even the coldest winters.

Shady Spots

Corydalis is an excellent perennial plant for sandy soil in shady areas. The most common has fern-like foliage and yellow flowers that bloom from early summer until frost. Corydalis spreads in little clumps, so it does not become as invasive as other ground covers. It is hardy to Zones 5 through 8 and survives very cold winters.

Native Plants and Herbs

Many herbs are hardy and grow well in sandy soil and dry condtions.

Consider natural or native plants when choosing a ground cover. Search your county extension office or local horticultural college's site for a list of plants that grow wild or are native in your particular area.

Herbs tolerate sandy soil. There are many kinds of mints. Lemon balm is wonderful in sandy soil, and the leaves make a soothing tea; it spreads, but does so more in clumps, so is not quite as invasive as many plants in the mint category. Creeping thyme and oregano are two excellent choices for ground cover in sandy soil, and they offer the added benefit of fresh herbs for your kitchen.