There are two stages to every paving project.
Stage one is when the pavers go down and everything looks incredible.
Stage two is when you start looking at the gaps.
The empty spaces.
The bare dirt.
The weeds already plotting their invasion.
And that's usually when people start asking:
"What can I plant between the pavers?"
The answer isn't as simple as choosing the smallest plant you can find.
Because plants between pavers have one of the toughest jobs in the garden.
They need to handle:
🌿 reflected heat
🌿 dry soil
🌿 occasional foot traffic
🌿 competition from surrounding plants
🌿 and often very little soil at all
Which is why many plants fail surprisingly quickly.
The good ones are specialists.
🌿 What makes a good paver plant?
The best plants for between pavers usually share a few characteristics.
They stay relatively low.
They tolerate drying out.
They don't become invasive.
And they look better as they spread.
Because the goal isn't to fill the gap with a plant.
The goal is to soften the paving without creating maintenance.
🌿 1. The classic choice
Mini Mondo Grass
If there was a hall of fame for paver plants, Mini Mondo would probably be first ballot.
And for good reason.
The fine dark green foliage creates a neat, manicured look that works beautifully with:
-
modern landscapes
-
Japanese-inspired gardens
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stepping stones
-
formal pathways
One of the reasons Mini Mondo works so well is that it doesn't try to take over.
It stays tidy.
And when planted repeatedly, it creates a soft green ribbon running through hard paving.
👉 Best for:
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stepping stones
-
modern gardens
-
formal paving
🌿 2. The softer option
Mondo Grass
Think of Mondo as Mini Mondo's more relaxed cousin.
Slightly larger.
Slightly softer.
A little less formal.
It still handles difficult conditions well, but creates a more natural appearance.
It's particularly effective where people want paving to feel integrated into the garden rather than separated from it.
👉 Best for:
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informal pathways
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larger paving joints
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natural garden styles
🌿 3. The fast filler
Dichondra Repens
Some people want neat.
Others want lush.
That's where Dichondra shines.
The small rounded leaves create a green carpet effect that softens paving beautifully.
And unlike many ground covers, it doesn't look out of place weaving between stepping stones.
One thing worth understanding:
Dichondra is not trying to be lawn.
It's trying to be ground cover.
Once people understand that, they usually love it.
👉 Best for:
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cottage gardens
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larger spaces
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soft natural pathways
🌿 4. The flowering option
Native Violet
This is one of our favourite choices for adding life to paving.
Instead of just greenery, you get:
🌿 soft foliage
🌿 little purple flowers
🌿 gentle spreading growth
And because Native Violet naturally creeps through gaps, it often looks like it was always meant to be there.
👉 Best for:
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cottage gardens
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shady pathways
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under trees
🌿 5. The plant people forget about
Liriope Just Right
Most people think of Liriope as a border plant.
But in wider stepping stone layouts, it can be incredibly effective.
The upright foliage provides contrast against paving and creates a more structured look.
It's particularly useful where paving needs a stronger landscape presence.
👉 Best for:
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larger stepping stones
-
structured gardens
-
modern landscapes
🌿 Why professionals use repetition
Here's something you'll notice if you study good landscape design.
Professionals rarely use five different plants between pavers.
They usually choose one.
Then repeat it.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Because repetition creates calm.
The eye understands it.
And the garden feels intentional.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is trying to use too many different plants in a small space.
Simple usually wins.
🌿 What about full sun vs shade?
This is where many people come unstuck.
Mini Mondo under deep shade?
Excellent.
Dichondra in filtered light?
Fantastic.
Native Violet under trees?
Perfect.
The wrong plant in the wrong light?
Usually disappointing.
This is exactly why we built our Plant Finder.
Instead of guessing, it helps match plants to:
🌿 sunlight
🌿 climate
🌿 soil
🌿 garden style
👉 Find The Right Plant - First Time! – The Plant Hub
🌿 Explore Our Paver & Ground Cover Collection