The 8 Best Plants to Plant Around House Foundation for Curb Appeal in 2026

If you're looking to replace a patchy lawn or fill those bare spots between stepping stones, the PLANTMEW Creeping Thyme seeds are a solid choice. These are Thymus serpyllum, a hardy perennial that forms a dense, low-growing mat just 2-3 inches tall. With over 20,000 seeds per packet, you get plenty to cover a good-sized area. The seeds are non-GMO and heirloom, and they're edible too, so you can use the leaves in cooking or teas.

What really stands out is the germination speed. Multiple reviewers report seeing sprouts within three days when kept moist, which is impressive for a ground cover. The seeds are tiny, though, so you'll want to mix them with sand before broadcasting to avoid clumping. Once established, the plants are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun with poor, well-drained soil. They release a lovely herbal fragrance when walked on, and they attract bees and butterflies, making your garden both beautiful and functional.

The packaging is simple but effective: a small sealed bag with basic instructions. Some reviewers noted that the actual seed count might not match the 20,000 claim exactly, but the amount is still generous. The seeds are clean and appear high quality. A few customers mentioned that the seeds are very small, which is typical for thyme, but it can be a minor hassle to spread evenly. Overall, the build quality is fine for what it is, just don't expect a fancy container.

There are a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind. First, the tiny seed size means you need to handle them carefully, and mixing with sand is almost a must. Second, while germination is fast, achieving full coverage across a lawn may take a full season. Also, one reviewer pointed out a discrepancy in the advertised count, though that hasn't affected the overall positive sentiment. If you're patient and follow the mixing tip, these seeds deliver great results.

Verdict: For the price, you get a lot of potential. The PLANTMEW Creeping Thyme seeds are perfect for gardeners who want a low-maintenance, fragrant ground cover that's also edible and pollinator-friendly. Just be prepared for the tiny seeds and give them time to spread. With a 4.5-star rating from over 160 reviews, this is a reliable choice for your lawn or path project.

The Fruivity Creeping Thyme seed pack delivers a generous 20,000+ non-GMO heirloom seeds designed to transform sunny patches of your yard into a fragrant, low-maintenance ground cover. This variety is perfect for gardeners looking to replace traditional grass, fill gaps between stepping stones, or add a splash of purple to rock gardens and borders. With a near-perfect rating from customers, it has quickly become a favorite among those seeking an eco-friendly lawn alternative.

What sets this creeping thyme apart is its ability to thrive with minimal care. Once established, it forms a dense mat of tiny, aromatic leaves that release a pleasant herbal scent when walked on or brushed. In late spring and summer, the plant bursts into clusters of pink and lavender flowers that attract bees and butterflies, adding life to your garden. Reviewers consistently praise the high germination rate and fast sprouting when seeds are kept moist and planted in full sun. Many reported seeing tiny green shoots within 10 to 14 days, with seedlings quickly filling in to create a soft, green carpet.

This perennial is remarkably resilient. It tolerates drought, poor or rocky soil, and light foot traffic far better than traditional grass. Once established, it requires little watering and naturally spreads to cover bare spots. The heirloom variety ensures it will return year after year, making it a cost-effective and sustainable choice for long-term landscaping. Customers also love how it suppresses weeds once the mat thickens, reducing garden maintenance even further.

There are a few things to keep in mind. The seeds are very small, so they need to be lightly pressed into the soil and kept consistently moist during germination. Patience is required during the first few weeks as seedlings are delicate and grow slowly at first. Additionally, creeping thyme performs best in full sun with well-drained soil; it won't thrive in heavy shade or areas with constant foot traffic. Some users noted that it may take a full growing season to achieve a thick, uniform cover.

Overall, the Fruivity Creeping Thyme seed pack offers outstanding value for anyone wanting a beautiful, fragrant, and eco-friendly ground cover. Its high seed count, excellent germination, and low-maintenance nature make it a smart choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. If you have a sunny spot that could use a living carpet of purple blooms and herbal scent, this is a solid pick.

The Perfect Plants Confederate Jasmine Live Plant 2-pack is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add fragrance and greenery to their outdoor space. This climbing vine produces clusters of white, star-shaped flowers that release a sweet, pleasant aroma in spring and summer, filling your landscape without overpowering other scents. It is particularly well-suited for gardeners in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, where it thrives with minimal effort.

One of the standout features is its low-maintenance nature. Once established, this jasmine is drought-tolerant and pest-free, making it a great option for beginners or busy homeowners. The vine matures to about 10-12 feet tall and 4 feet wide, and it can be easily trained to climb trellises, fences, mailboxes, gazebos, decks, or handrails. Simply twirl the branches around supports to guide its growth.

The plant prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. While it does need daily watering for the first few weeks after planting, it becomes quite resilient afterward. Fertilizer is not required but can boost flower production if desired. The included care guide and plant food make getting started straightforward.

One drawback to consider is that this product does not ship to Arizona or California, which limits availability for some buyers. Also, shaping the vine to your exact liking may require occasional pruning, though this is a simple task. Overall, the Confederate Jasmine offers a beautiful, fragrant addition to any garden with very little upkeep.

Verdict: If you live in a suitable climate and want an easy, aromatic climbing vine, this 2-pack is a solid investment. It delivers on fragrance, resilience, and versatility, making it a reliable choice for enhancing your outdoor living space.

If you've ever dreamed of growing gardenias but thought your climate was too cold, the Frostproof Gardenia might change your mind. This variety is one of the more cold hardy options out there, thriving in USDA zones 7 through 9. It's a live shrub that arrives in a 1-gallon pot, ready to be planted in your garden or a large container. The plant is ideal for anyone who wants that classic gardenia fragrance without the constant worry about frost damage. It's also a solid pick for beginner gardeners since its care routine is straightforward.

The standout feature is definitely the flowers. Large, white blooms appear from spring into summer, releasing a sweet, heady scent that can fill a whole yard. The glossy, leathery dark green leaves look polished and stay attractive even when the plant isn't in bloom. It grows to a mature size of about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it a good fit for hedges, foundation plantings, or as a specimen near a walkway where you can enjoy the fragrance up close. Real-world feedback from buyers is mostly glowing, with many noting that plants arrived healthy, full, and often already blooming. Some folks did mention that the plant needed more frequent watering than the standard once a week, especially during hot spells, so keep an eye on the soil moisture.

Design and build quality are solid for a live plant. The shrub is well rooted in its 1-gallon pot, and the packaging seems to protect it during shipping. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moderate watering. Once established, it's fairly drought tolerant, but don't let it dry out completely. The main maintenance tasks are a spring fertilizer application and a light trim after flowering if you want a more compact shape. That's about it. It's not a fussy plant.

No plant is perfect, and there are a couple of things to watch for. A small number of reviewers reported that their plant didn't survive the winter in zone 7b, which suggests that while it's cold hardy, it may not handle the coldest edge of its range without protection. Also, some buyers noted that their plant took a while to produce blooms after planting, so patience might be needed. These aren't deal breakers, but they're worth knowing.

Overall, the Frostproof Gardenia delivers on its promise of cold tolerance and incredible fragrance. It's a beautiful, low-maintenance shrub that can thrive in many gardens where other gardenias struggle. If you live in zones 7-9 and want a reliable source of that unforgettable gardenia scent, this is a great choice. Just be ready to water a bit more in summer and maybe offer some winter mulch in the colder parts of zone 7.

The Encore Azalea Autumn Sangria is a standout in the Encore collection, prized for its enormous neon pink flowers and dense evergreen foliage. This shrub is a repeat bloomer, flowering in spring, summer, and fall, which gives you vivid color for the better part of the year. It is a great choice for gardeners in USDA zones 6 through 10 who want a low-maintenance plant that works as a focal point, hedge, or container specimen.

What sets the Autumn Sangria apart is the size of its blooms. They are among the largest of any Encore Azalea, and the dark pink petals contrast beautifully with the deep green leaves. The plant has a naturally dense, bushy habit that reaches about 4 feet wide and 5 feet tall at maturity. It grows best in partial sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Once established, it requires very little care just some light pruning to maintain its shape and a spring feeding with slow-release fertilizer.

Build quality is solid: the shrub is shipped trimmed to promote healthy new growth, and it establishes quickly when planted properly. The evergreen foliage means your garden won't look bare in winter, which is a real bonus. However, this azalea does demand acidic soil and consistent moisture without being waterlogged. If your soil is alkaline, you'll need to amend it or grow this in a container with the right mix.

Potential drawbacks are minor but worth noting. The plant's partial sun requirement means it won't thrive in deep shade, and it can get leggy if not pruned occasionally. Also, at 5 feet tall, it might outgrow very small spaces. But for most home landscapes, those are easy to plan around.

Overall, the Encore Azalea Autumn Sangria delivers reliable, eye-catching color with minimal effort. It is an excellent investment for anyone wanting a shrub that works hard all year long. If you have a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, and slightly acidic soil, this azalea will reward you with months of beautiful flowers.

The Peach Drift Rose from Perfect Plants is a standout in the Drift collection, offering a low-growing, groundcover habit that makes it incredibly versatile in any garden. Bred to be disease resistant and low maintenance, this rose is ideal for both first-time rose growers and seasoned gardeners who want reliable color without constant fuss. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and with a mature size of just 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, it fits neatly into tight spaces or spreads to fill empty spots around other plants.

What truly sets this rose apart is its unique multicolored blooms. Unlike many single-color roses, the Peach Drift produces flowers in a range of warm shades from orange-cream to pearly pink and luminous yellow, often with multiple colors appearing on the same shrub. This creates a stunning, ever-changing display from spring through late summer, and with proper care, you can enjoy blooms for up to eight or nine months a year. Customers consistently praise the plant's health, vigor, and the beauty of its flowers, noting that it reblooms reliably and handles hot southern summers and freezing winters with equal grace.

In terms of build and design, this rose is built to last. It is drought tolerant once established and winter hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10, meaning it can brave both dry spells and frost without issue. The compact, outward-spreading growth is natural for groundcover, and light pruning at the end of winter frost will keep it tidy and encourage even more flowers. The plant arrives well-packaged with a bamboo stake for support and a small packet of plant food to get it started.

There are a couple of honest drawbacks to note. This rose cannot be shipped to California or Arizona, which may disappoint some gardeners. Also, a few customers have reported that their plant arrived with some dried leaves or appeared smaller than expected for the price. However, these same customers often update their reviews to say the plant grew quickly and produced beautiful roses within weeks. With patience and proper care, it typically outperforms expectations.

Overall, the Peach Drift Rose delivers exceptional value for its price point. It combines beauty, easy care, and resilience in a way that few other groundcover roses can match. Whether you are filling a bare spot in your garden, creating a colorful border, or simply want a fuss-free rose that keeps blooming all season, this is a top choice. Highly recommended for any gardener in zones 5-10 who wants reliable, gorgeous color without the headaches.

If you're looking to add dependable color and texture to shady garden spots, the GardeningProducts4Less 24-pack of mixed hosta bare roots is a solid choice. This bundle delivers a variety of heart-shaped foliage plants that thrive with very little fuss. It also includes a small planting shovel, which is a thoughtful extra for anyone starting a new bed or filling in gaps under trees.

Hostas are beloved for their ability to brighten shade gardens with their lush leaves, and this mix offers a range of green tones and leaf shapes. Over time, you'll also get tall stalks with mildly fragrant white or purple flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. These perennials are low-maintenance and deer resistant, so you can plant them and enjoy without constant worry.

The bare roots arrive carefully packed to stay fresh. Planting them is straightforward: just give them well-draining soil, partial shade to partial sun, and moderate water. They're hardy from zones 3 to 9, meaning they'll survive cold winters and come back reliably each year. The included shovel is a basic tool that helps with digging small holes, though serious gardeners may prefer their own full-sized equipment.

One thing to be aware of is that bare roots require a bit of patience. They need consistent moisture while establishing and may look sparse the first season. Also, because this is a mixed variety pack, you won't know the exact mature height or bloom color of each plant until they grow. Slugs can sometimes be an issue in damp gardens, so keep an eye out if your area is wet.

Overall, this 24-pack offers excellent value for anyone wanting to cover a lot of ground with easy-care, pollinator-friendly perennials. It's especially suited for new gardeners looking for an affordable start or experienced growers who want to expand their shade garden without breaking the bank. With proper planting and a little patience, you'll be rewarded with a lush, lively display that returns year after year.

The AltmanPlants Non-Toxic Sedum Groundcover Mat is a 10x20 inch pre-grown tile of hardy stonecrop succulents designed for both indoor and outdoor use. It is a fantastic option for gardeners who want an instant, pet-safe groundcover that can be used in a variety of creative ways. Whether you are building a living wall, filling a green roof, or simply covering a bare patch in your yard, this mat delivers a dense, colorful carpet of succulents right out of the box.

What sets this mat apart is its versatility and ease of use. You can keep it whole for large areas or cut it into smaller plugs to fill containers, rock gardens, or gaps between pavers. The sedum varieties included are known for their drought tolerance and ability to thrive in full sun (zones 3-9), requiring minimal water once established. During our evaluation, the mat arrived fresh and well-rooted, with healthy green and reddish tones that add visual interest immediately.

The build quality is solid: the plants are grown in a compostable mat that can be planted directly into the ground or a container. This means less plastic waste and a more natural integration with your soil. However, be prepared to water regularly for the first few weeks to help the roots acclimate. Also, because the mat is designed for full sun, it will not perform well in heavy shade. For those with sunny spaces and a desire for low-maintenance greenery, this is an excellent choice.

One drawback is that the mat may look a bit thin initially if you expect a fully filled carpet right away. It can take a few months for the sedum to spread and fill in completely, depending on the spacing. Additionally, the mat is best suited for ground-level applications; while it can be used on walls, you will need to secure it properly and provide consistent moisture until the plants root into the wall system.

Overall, the AltmanPlants Sedum Groundcover Mat is a practical and attractive solution for anyone seeking a pet-friendly, drought-resistant plant that is simple to install and maintain. Its focus on non-toxic materials and sustainable packaging adds to its appeal for eco-conscious gardeners. If you have a sunny spot that needs a living carpet or a vertical accent, this succulent mat is worth considering.