Try Planting Between Pavers – Transform Your Outdoor Pathways

ByEric James Updated on

Ever look at your patio, walkway, or driveway pavers and wish they had a bit more life? Perhaps you’re tired of relentless weeds pushing through, or maybe the hardscape just feels a little too stark. You’re not alone. Many outdoor enthusiasts, from homesteaders to RV owners creating a temporary basecamp, seek ways to soften their surroundings and integrate nature more deeply into their living spaces.

The good news is, there’s an elegant and practical solution: try planting between pavers. This technique, often overlooked, can revolutionize your outdoor areas, turning sterile stone into a vibrant, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly landscape feature. It’s a simple yet effective way to add character, improve drainage, and even reduce upkeep.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from selecting the perfect plants to the nitty-gritty of installation and long-term care. Get ready to create beautiful, resilient, and inviting pathways that enhance your connection to the outdoors.

Why You Should try planting between pavers for a Greener Space

Integrating plants into your paver system offers more than just visual appeal. It’s a smart move for anyone looking to live outdoors smarter, whether you’re establishing a permanent homestead or enhancing a temporary outdoor setup.

Here are some compelling reasons to consider this approach:

  • Weed Suppression: Bare gaps between pavers are an open invitation for tenacious weeds. By filling these spaces with desirable plants, you naturally outcompete unwanted growth, significantly reducing your weeding chores.
  • Enhanced Aesthetics: Plants soften the hard lines of pavers, adding texture, color, and a sense of lushness. They create a more inviting and natural-looking pathway or patio, transforming a functional area into a beautiful garden feature.
  • Improved Drainage: Unlike solid concrete or tightly packed pavers, plants and their root systems help water penetrate the soil more effectively. This reduces runoff, minimizes puddling, and can even help recharge groundwater.
  • Cooling Effect: Plants absorb sunlight rather than reflecting it, which can slightly lower ambient temperatures around your paved areas. This is especially beneficial in warmer climates or during hot summer days.
  • Erosion Control: On sloped pathways or areas prone to washouts, plant roots help bind the soil, preventing erosion and keeping your pavers stable.
  • Pollinator Attraction: Many low-growing groundcovers produce small flowers that attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, contributing to local biodiversity.

This method provides a sustainable and beautiful alternative to traditional hardscaping, aligning perfectly with a self-sufficient and nature-connected lifestyle.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Living Pathway

The success of your living pathway hinges on selecting the appropriate plants. Not all plants are suited for the unique environment between pavers. You need varieties that can withstand foot traffic, tolerate lean soil, and thrive in the specific sun and moisture conditions of your area.

Key Considerations for Plant Selection

Before you even pick up a plant, assess your site. This crucial step will save you time and effort in the long run.

  • Sun Exposure: Is the area full sun (6+ hours), partial sun (3-6 hours), or shade (less than 3 hours)? Match your plants to the light conditions.
  • Foot Traffic: How much will the area be walked on? For high-traffic areas, choose extremely durable plants. For decorative paths or patios with less frequent use, you have more options.
  • Climate Zone: Ensure the plants you choose are hardy for your USDA plant hardiness zone. This guarantees they’ll survive winter in your region.
  • Drainage: Paver gaps can sometimes retain moisture or dry out quickly. Observe how water behaves in your chosen area.
  • Mature Height: Select plants that remain low-growing, typically under 4-6 inches, to avoid tripping hazards and keep the pathway functional.

Top Plant Recommendations for Paver Gaps

Here are some go-to plants that excel when you try planting between pavers:

  • Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): A classic choice for its durability, fragrant foliage, and tiny purple flowers. It tolerates moderate foot traffic and thrives in full sun with good drainage.
  • Steppable Sedum (e.g., Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’, Sedum spurium): Many low-growing sedum varieties are extremely drought-tolerant and can handle light to moderate foot traffic. They come in various colors and textures, preferring full sun.
  • Irish Moss (Sagina subulata) and Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’): These create a lush, carpet-like effect. They prefer partial shade and consistent moisture, tolerating light foot traffic.
  • Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): A fragrant option that tolerates light foot traffic and releases a pleasant apple scent when crushed. It thrives in full sun.
  • Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’): Known for its bright chartreuse foliage, Creeping Jenny is great for partial shade to full sun, especially in areas with consistent moisture. It handles light foot traffic.
  • Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’): A very tough, grass-like plant that forms dense clumps. It’s excellent for low-traffic areas in sun or shade and provides a clean, refined look.
  • Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis): Produces tiny blue flowers and forms a dense mat. It tolerates sun to partial shade and moderate foot traffic.
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Always check the specific needs of your chosen plant variety, as requirements can vary even within the same genus.

Preparing Your Site: Essential Steps for Success

Proper site preparation is crucial for the long-term health of your living pathway. Don’t skip these steps, as they lay the foundation for vibrant, resilient growth.

Assessing and Cleaning the Gaps

Before you plant, you need a clean slate. This means removing existing weeds and debris.

  • Weed Removal: Hand-pull all weeds, ensuring you get as much of the root system as possible. For stubborn perennial weeds, a garden trowel can be invaluable.
  • Debris Clearance: Sweep out any loose dirt, gravel, or old sand from the paver gaps. A stiff brush or even a leaf blower can help.
  • Depth Check: The gaps should be deep enough to accommodate your plant’s root ball. Aim for at least 2-4 inches of depth. If the gaps are too shallow, you may need to carefully remove some of the underlying material.

Amending the Soil for Optimal Growth

The material between pavers is often compacted sand or gravel, which isn’t ideal for most plants. Soil amendment is key.

  • Remove Old Filler: If the gaps are filled with just sand, carefully remove some of it. You want to create a hospitable environment for roots.
  • Introduce Organic Matter: Fill the gaps with a good quality potting mix or a blend of topsoil and compost. Organic matter improves drainage, retains moisture, and provides essential nutrients.
  • Leave Room: Don’t fill the gaps completely to the paver surface just yet. Leave about an inch or so of space for the plants and a final layer of soil.

This careful preparation ensures your chosen plants have the best chance to establish strong roots and thrive.

How to Plant Between Pavers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once your site is prepared and your plants are selected, the actual planting process is straightforward. Take your time, and remember that patience leads to the best results.

  1. Gather Your Tools: You’ll need a hand trowel, a kneeling pad (your knees will thank you!), a watering can, and your chosen plants.
  2. Moisten the Gaps: Lightly water the prepared gaps. This settles the soil and makes it easier to work with.
  3. Prepare the Plants: Gently remove each plant from its nursery pot. If the roots are tightly bound (root-bound), gently tease them apart with your fingers or a small tool.
  4. Position the Plants: Place a plant in a gap, ensuring the top of its root ball is level with or slightly below the paver surface. You want the plant’s crown to be exposed, not buried.
  5. Fill and Firm: Backfill around the plant with your amended soil, gently firming it down with your fingers. Avoid compacting the soil too much, as roots need air.
  6. Water Thoroughly: Once all plants are in place, give them a deep, gentle watering. This helps settle the soil around the roots and eliminates air pockets. A watering can with a fine rose is perfect for this.
  7. Repeat as Needed: Continue this process for all your paver gaps. Spacing will depend on the mature size of your chosen plants; some will spread quickly, while others are more clumping.
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For large areas, consider planting in a staggered pattern to encourage even coverage as plants grow and spread. This helps create a natural, flowing look rather than a rigid grid.

Maintaining Your Living Pathway: Tips for Longevity

After you try planting between pavers, ongoing care is essential to keep your living pathway healthy and beautiful. While many groundcovers are low-maintenance, they still require some attention.

Watering and Feeding

The initial weeks are critical for establishment.

  • Initial Watering: For the first 2-4 weeks, water new plants regularly, especially during dry spells. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Established Plants: Once established, most paver plants, especially drought-tolerant varieties like sedum and thyme, will require less frequent watering. Observe your plants; wilting is a clear sign they need a drink.
  • Fertilizing: Paver plants generally don’t need heavy feeding. A light application of a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer in spring can give them a boost. Compost tea is also an excellent, gentle option.

Pruning and Weed Control

Even with good plant choices, some maintenance will be necessary.

  • Light Pruning: Occasionally, you might need to trim back plants that are encroaching too much on the paver surface or growing taller than desired. This keeps the pathway neat and prevents tripping hazards.
  • Weed Patrol: While your groundcovers will suppress many weeds, some persistent ones might still pop through. Catch them early by hand-pulling them before they establish deep roots or go to seed. A small hand weeder is perfect for this task.
  • Winter Care: In colder climates, some plants may die back in winter. Remove dead foliage in early spring to make way for new growth. Some evergreens, like certain sedums, will retain their foliage.

Regular, but light, maintenance will ensure your living pathway remains an attractive and functional part of your outdoor living space for years to come.

Beyond Aesthetics: The Benefits of Green Paver Spaces

While the visual appeal of a living pathway is undeniable, the advantages extend far beyond just looking good. For those embracing a more self-sufficient or off-grid lifestyle, these ecological benefits are particularly significant.

  • Creating Microclimates: The plants help moderate soil temperature and retain moisture, creating small, favorable microclimates. This can be beneficial for other nearby plantings or simply make your outdoor seating areas more comfortable.
  • Supporting Local Ecosystems: Even small patches of flowering groundcover can provide nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are crucial for the health of our environment. This is a simple way to contribute to biodiversity right in your backyard or basecamp.
  • Reducing Heat Island Effect: Hard, impervious surfaces like large paved areas absorb and re-emit heat, contributing to urban heat islands. By replacing some of that hard surface with living plants, you help reduce this effect, leading to cooler local temperatures.
  • Sustainable Living: Opting for permeable, planted pathways aligns with sustainable land management practices. It reduces reliance on chemical herbicides for weed control and promotes natural water infiltration.
  • Sensory Experience: Beyond sight, many paver plants offer delightful fragrances when stepped on (like chamomile or thyme) or attract birds and insects, adding sound and movement to your outdoor space. This deepens your connection to nature, even in a small way.

Embracing these green solutions is a testament to living outdoors smarter, making every inch of your property or temporary setup work harder for both beauty and ecological function.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Paver Plantings

Even with the best planning, sometimes issues arise. Knowing how to diagnose and address common problems will help you keep your living pathways thriving.

Plants Not Thriving

If your plants look weak, leggy, or are failing to spread, consider these factors:

  • Inadequate Light: Double-check the sun exposure. If a sun-loving plant is in too much shade, it will struggle. Conversely, shade-lovers will scorch in full sun.
  • Water Imbalance: Both overwatering (leading to root rot) and underwatering (causing wilting and stress) can be detrimental. Feel the soil; it should be moist, not soggy or bone dry.
  • Poor Soil: Did you amend the soil? Compacted, nutrient-poor soil will inhibit growth. Adding more compost or a balanced organic fertilizer can help.
  • Pests or Diseases: Inspect your plants closely for signs of insects or fungal diseases. Often, a healthy plant is more resistant. Address specific issues with organic pest control methods if necessary.
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Weeds Persisting

Even with groundcovers, some weeds can be stubborn.

  • Aggressive Weeds: Some weeds, like crabgrass or dandelions, are incredibly persistent. Regular hand-pulling, especially when they are young, is the most effective method.
  • Bare Spots: If your groundcover isn’t filling in completely, weeds will find a foothold. Encourage spreading by light feeding or consider planting additional plugs in sparse areas.
  • Seed Bank: Weed seeds can remain dormant in the soil for years. Consistent vigilance is key.

Plants Overgrowing Pavers

Sometimes, success can lead to a new challenge: plants creeping too far over the paver surface.

  • Regular Trimming: Use garden shears or a string trimmer to carefully cut back any growth that extends too far over the pavers. This keeps the pathway clear and maintains the plant’s vigor.
  • Containment: For very vigorous spreaders, consider installing a subtle edging material just beneath the pavers to help define the planting area, though this is rarely needed for most paver-friendly groundcovers.

Addressing these issues promptly ensures your living pathway remains a source of joy, not frustration. Don’t hesitate to consult local garden centers or experienced homesteaders for region-specific advice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Between Pavers

Here are some common questions adventurers and homesteaders ask about creating green paver spaces.

Can I use just any groundcover between pavers?

No, not all groundcovers are suitable. You need plants that are low-growing, tolerate some foot traffic, and can thrive in the specific sun and moisture conditions of the narrow paver gaps. Always check the plant’s mature height and its tolerance for foot traffic before planting.

How often do I need to water new plants between pavers?

For the first 2-4 weeks after planting, water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. This helps the plants establish their root systems. After they are established, reduce watering frequency, especially for drought-tolerant varieties. Monitor the soil and the plants for signs of stress.

Will planting between pavers attract more insects?

It can attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, especially if your chosen plants flower. These pollinators are vital for a healthy ecosystem. Most common paver plants don’t typically attract nuisance pests that would bother your outdoor living space.

What if my pavers are very close together with tiny gaps?

For very narrow gaps (less than 1 inch), planting can be challenging. You might consider propagating moss or using very fine-textured plants like Irish or Scotch moss. Ensure there’s enough soil depth for even tiny roots to establish. In some cases, if the gaps are truly minimal, it might be better to opt for sand or polymeric sand.

Can I use this method for a driveway?

For driveways, you need exceptionally tough plants that can withstand heavy vehicle traffic and compaction. Creeping thyme and certain very robust sedums are sometimes used, but success depends heavily on the type of paver, the sub-base, and the amount of vehicle use. It’s generally more successful for pedestrian pathways and patios.

Embrace Your Living Pathways

Transforming your paved areas by choosing to try planting between pavers is more than just a landscaping project; it’s an investment in a more beautiful, sustainable, and resilient outdoor living space. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader, a weekend camper, or a solo traveler looking to enhance your basecamp, integrating nature into your hardscapes offers tangible benefits.

From suppressing weeds and improving drainage to creating inviting microclimates and supporting local pollinators, your efforts will yield a rich tapestry of green that connects you more deeply to the natural world. Take these practical steps, select your plants wisely, and enjoy the journey of cultivating a truly living pathway.

Go forth, explore, and grow confidently! Stay safe and stay comfortable!

Eric James
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