Planting between stepping stones is one of the small details that decides whether a path looks designed or improvised. It also solves a practical problem, because the gaps between pavers are where weeds appear first and where gravel migrates out onto the lawn. The constraint is narrow: the plant has to survive being trodden on, stay low enough not to trip anyone, and cope with the heat that radiates off paving on an Australian summer afternoon.
What the plant has to handle
| Constraint | What it rules out |
|---|---|
| Foot traffic | Most groundcovers, which tear or bruise |
| Maximum height 50-100 mm | Anything that mounds or trails upward |
| Heat off paving | Ferns and soft-leaved shade plants |
| Narrow root run | Vigorous spreaders that lift pavers |
| Reflected light | Anything that scorches easily |
The reliable choices
Dwarf mondo grass
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is the standard, and it is hard to beat. It stays 50 to 100 mm high, never needs cutting, holds dark green colour year-round, and tolerates being walked on regularly. It handles shade and part sun, and grows across every Australian capital.
The trade-off is slowness. Plant at 100 mm centres or you will be weeding between plants for two or three years.
Blue star creeper
Pratia pedunculata is the softer alternative, hugging the ground at about 50 mm and covered in pale blue star flowers through spring and summer. It handles traffic well and spreads faster than mondo, which makes it more economical to establish. It prefers moisture and part shade, so it is less suited to a fully exposed hot path.
Kidney weed
Dichondra repens is the Australian native option, with small round bright green leaves forming a flat mat. It takes light traffic, grows in sun or shade, and looks particularly good against sandstone and pale pavers. It needs reasonably consistent moisture and will brown off in a hot dry position without water.
Native violet
Viola hederacea suits shaded and damp paths, spreading into a soft mat with purple and white flowers for much of the year. It takes occasional footsteps rather than constant traffic, so it is best on a path used a few times a day rather than a main thoroughfare.
Black mondo
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' is worth considering where the paving is pale. Near-black foliage against sandstone or light concrete is a striking effect, though it is slower and more expensive than green mondo, so it suits shorter runs.
Matching plant to position
- Hot, sunny, exposed path - dwarf mondo, or reconsider planting and use gravel or a mortared joint instead. Few plants enjoy that position.
- Part shade, regular use - dwarf mondo or blue star creeper.
- Shaded, damp, occasional use - native violet or blue star creeper.
- Pale sandstone or light concrete - black mondo for contrast, or dichondra for a fresh green.
- Coastal garden - dwarf mondo handles salt-laden air better than the softer options.
Getting the spacing right
This is where most stepper plantings go wrong. The gaps are narrow, so bare soil shows and weeds establish quickly. Plant densely from the start.
- Dwarf mondo - 80 to 100 mm centres. It is slow and will not close a wider gap for years.
- Blue star creeper and dichondra - 150 to 200 mm centres, since both spread faster.
- Native violet - 200 mm centres.
Buying more plants upfront is cheaper than a year of weeding, and the result looks finished immediately rather than after three seasons.
Preparing the joints
- Excavate the joint properly - at least 100 mm of soil depth. Plants set into compacted road base will not survive.
- Replace compacted fill with good soil mixed with compost.
- Set the soil slightly below paver level so plants sit flush rather than proud, which reduces wear and trip risk.
- Plant, firm gently and water in.
- Water daily for the first two weeks, then regularly for three months. Narrow joints dry out much faster than open beds.
- Weed weekly until the cover closes. Weeds in a stepper joint are far easier to remove young.
Where these work in Australia
All of these grow across every Australian capital. Dwarf mondo is the most adaptable, handling Brisbane humidity, Melbourne frost and Perth heat equally. Blue star creeper, dichondra and native violet all prefer more consistent moisture, which makes them easier on the east coast than in Perth or Adelaide without irrigation.
Common problems and fixes
- Bare worn patches means the path gets more traffic than the plant can take. Dwarf mondo is the most durable option; heavier use needs gravel or mortar.
- Browning in summer is usually heat off the paving plus dry soil. Water more in the joints than in the surrounding beds.
- Weeds persisting means the planting is too sparse. Plant more densely rather than fighting it.
- Plants sitting proud and being kicked means the soil level was set too high. Lower it slightly below the paver surface.
- Very slow coverage is normal for mondo. Plant closer or choose a faster species.
- Plants failing in the joint but fine elsewhere is compacted road base under the joint. Dig it out and replace with soil.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best plant to grow between pavers?
Dwarf mondo grass is the most reliable - low, evergreen, tolerant of foot traffic, and it never needs cutting. Blue star creeper is the softer flowering alternative and spreads faster, which makes it cheaper to establish.
How far apart should I plant between stepping stones?
80 to 100 millimetres for dwarf mondo, 150 to 200 for blue star creeper and dichondra. Narrow joints show bare soil readily, so denser planting saves considerable weeding.
Can you walk on these plants?
Yes, within reason. Dwarf mondo and blue star creeper take regular footsteps, dichondra and native violet take occasional use. None will survive a main thoroughfare used many times a day by a whole household.
What grows between pavers in full sun?
Dwarf mondo copes best, though even it prefers some shade. Paving radiates significant heat in an Australian summer, so on a fully exposed hot path gravel or a mortared joint is often the more practical answer.
Why do my plants die in the paver joints?
Usually compacted road base beneath the joint, which roots cannot penetrate. Dig out at least 100 millimetres and replace with good soil and compost. Narrow joints also dry out much faster than open beds.
How do I stop weeds between pavers?
Plant densely enough that the cover closes quickly, and weed weekly until it does. An established mondo or pratia planting suppresses weeds almost completely; a sparse one never will.
Ready to plant?
We supply groundcovers in quantities suited to paving projects. Browse our groundcover collection, or groundcovers for low-maintenance gardens.
Related reading: the mondo grass guide and the best groundcovers for shade.
