Best Erosion Control Plants for Slopes & Yards

Keep your ground where it belongs!

Erosion control is one of the biggest challenges for gardeners, homeowners, and landscapers. The loss of topsoil doesn’t just ruin the look of your yard - it also strips away nutrients your plants and trees depend on. Whether you’re battling runoff on a hillside, preventing bank erosion near a pond or stream, or searching for the best groundcovers for slopes, erosion control plants are the most natural and effective solution.

The best plants for erosion - including groundcovers, shrubs, perennials, and trees - stabilize soil with deep roots, slow water runoff, and protect against wind erosion. Adding erosion control shrubs, soil-stabilizing perennials, and bank-stabilizing trees transforms problem areas into beautiful, eco-friendly landscapes. Erosion control plants work hard to keep your soil secure!

Since plants rely on healthy soil for nutrients, root support, and moisture retention, protecting your ground isn’t just important. It’s the foundation of a thriving landscape. Losing topsoil means losing healthy soil structure, plant growth, and even curb appeal. With erosion control landscaping, you can stop soil loss, improve water quality, and create a thriving yard. Let’s dig into the top plants for erosion control and how they can keep your soil (and your garden) right where mother nature intended!

What is Erosion
Plants for Erosion Control!
Choosing the Right Plants For You!
Pretty Placeholders

Exposed Roots due to Erosion

What is Erosion

An estimated 36 billion tons of fertile topsoil is lost due to erosion each year!

Topsoil is that thin, organic layer that covers the rocky core of this blue and green bubble we’re floating on, and it is only about 5-10 inches deep! Everything that supports our entire ecosystem and food web is grown right there in less than a foot of the Earth.

Erosion is defined as the geological process in which soil is worn away and moved by natural means such as wind or water.

Detaining, redirecting, or retaining rainwater until it soaks into the ground
Slowing or stopping wind with windbreaks
Building physical barriers and terraces
Using conservation buffers
Retaining walls
Bank erosion control for rivers, ponds, and water features
Erosion control plants, hydroseeding, cover crops, and reforestation
Arborist bark chips or mulch

Here at Nature Hills, we can help with one of the most powerful control measures - plants!

Plants for Erosion Control!

Looking for the best plants for erosion control?

Whether you’re dealing with a rushing rainstorm, a crumbling stream or pond bank, or a steep hillside that sheds soil, the right plants can make all the difference. Instead of fighting erosion, let plants do the work by:

Covering slopes with greenery that holds soil in place
Creating a vertical rock garden that slows runoff naturally
Terracing steep ground to control the flow of rainwater

Why Use Plants for Erosion Control?

Erosion control plants protect your soil and landscape in powerful ways:

Strong, fibrous root systems lock soil in place and prevent washouts during heavy rains.
Slower water flow allows soil to absorb moisture instead of sending your topsoil into storm drains.
Natural filtration cleans water before it returns to the water cycle, keeping valuable topsoil where it belongs.
Wind protection reduces dust and prevents topsoil from blowing away like a mini dust bowl.

By choosing the right erosion control shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers, you can stabilize banks, reduce runoff, and transform hard-to-mow slopes into lush, thriving landscapes.

Groundcovers: Living Mulch for Slopes

Groundcover plants are some of the best erosion control plants for slopes because they act like living mulch. They:

Retain soil moisture and boost soil health
Combat drought-related wind erosion
Protect and benefit nearby shrubs and trees, just like cover crops or mulch do
Beautify your hillside while protecting it

Benefits of Erosion Control Plants

When you add erosion control plants, you’re not just solving a problem, you’re gaining multiple landscape benefits:

Soil stabilization on hillsides and streambanks
Cleaner water through natural filtration
Healthier soil that supports shrubs, trees, and perennials
Eco-friendly landscaping that works with mother nature instead of against her

Groundcovers, cover crops, and erosion control plants don’t just hold your soil in place;, they make your yard more beautiful, resilient, and sustainable. Choosing the right plant is easy, and your landscape will thank you for years to come!

Choosing the Right Plants

Knowing you have a problem before it becomes a problem is half the battle! Choosing the right plants for your growing zone and location, plus the right plants for your type of erosion. Finding the right shrub or plant for your needs is easy!

Top 5 Wet Soil and Bank Stabilizing Trees and Shrubs

Go beyond the Willow trees, Cattails, and potentially invasive Pampas Grasses with these wet soil-loving plants. A bank of mud can become a lovely garden feature!

Viburnum Shrubs
Bald Cypress
Dogwood Shrubs - Silky Dogwood, Red Twigged Dogwood
River Birch
Buttonbush

Top 5 Erosion Control Perennials and Shrubs for Shade

Shade and erosion can make for a tricky combo, but these plants are here to save the day. Many groundcovers act as fantastic soil stabilizers while covering large areas of ground with their own creeping branches and spreading nature, turning what normally would be a barren hillside or washed away.

Ferns like Christmas, Royal, Lady, and Cinnamon Ferns
Diervilla (Bush Honeysuckle)
Virginia Creeper
Harbor Belle Nandina
Buttonbush

Top 5 Soil Stabilizing Trees

Long-lived trees, and their extensive root systems, slow the rain as it comes down, and their roots hold soil in place beautifully! The broad, dense and deeply growing roots of trees are fantastic long-term soil stabilizing solutions with loads of their own perks and side benefits!

Douglas Fir
Crabapple Trees
Western Red Cedar
Loblolly Pine
Willow Trees

Top 5 Soil Stabilizing Shrubs

Many native shrubs are just what the doctor ordered for holding soil right where it belongs. Roots of shrubs help hold soil and secure it in place, the leaves shade and protect the soil from blowing or flowing away, and both help retain soil moisture that also further helps keep soil from going anywhere.

Red and Black Chokeberry (Aronia)
Arrowwood and Maple-Leaf Viburnums
Buttonbush
Ninebark Shrubs
Winterberry Holly

Top 5 Great Shrubs and Perennials for Hillside and Slopes

Take advantage of vining and spreading plants on slopes. Steep hills can be tricky with rushing water, eroding soil, pooling, and wind that gets trapped. Groundcovers and sprawling, flowing vines and spreading plants love to ramble down these hilly areas.

Honeysuckle Vines
Fountain Grass
Bush Honeysuckle
,Massachusetts Kinnikinnick
Groundcovers like Ajuga, Vinca, and Creeping Rosemary or Creeping Thyme
Native Sumac

Top 5 Windbreak Plants to Fight Erosion

Whipping wind and drifting snow can carry away your soil fast! Plant a windbreak or hedge to block and slow the forces of nature.

Sumac Bushes
Arborvitae Shrubs
Austrian Pine
Black Willow
Eastern Redcedar

Top 5 Perennials That Slow and Filter Water Runoff

Water runoff makes for a soggy one day, dry the next, so choosing a location can be tricky! Choose plants that thrive in both conditions and keep their roots deep to hold the soil in place.

In addition to the wet soil plants above, try some of these for help as well.

Sedge and Rush Grasses
Lilyturf (Liriope)
Blue Flag Iris
Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Sunflower

Care Tips For Erosion Control Plants

After planting, give your erosion control plants the right start:

Add a 3-4 inch layer of arborist wood chips with mixed bark, stems, and shreds
Water consistently until plants establish, if natural moisture is inconsistent
Check slopes after storms and re-mulch bare spots if needed
Prune shrubs and trees as needed to maintain structure and maximize soil shading
Let groundcovers spread naturally - patience pays off with dense coverage
Replace failing plants promptly so gaps don’t encourage runoff

Pretty Placeholders: Keeping Soil Grounded

Once planted, erosion control plants spread and grow, keeping your soil where it belongs. Birds, pollinators, curb appeal, and the environment all benefit when Ma Nature’s helpers go to work!

Keep your soil secure, protect your landscape, and add beauty with erosion control plants from NatureHills.com!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best plants for erosion control on slopes?

The best plants for slope erosion control combine deep root systems with rapid spreading growth, including groundcovers like creeping phlox and vinca, shrubs such as juniper and sumac, and perennials like daylilies and ornamental grasses. These plants work by anchoring soil with extensive root networks that can penetrate 2-6 feet deep while their dense foliage slows water runoff. For steep slopes over 30%, consider terracing with erosion control trees like willow or dogwood in zones 3-9, planted 6-8 feet apart. Plant in early spring or fall when rainfall naturally helps establish root systems before peak erosion seasons.

How do I plant on a steep hillside to prevent soil erosion?

To plant on steep hillsides, choose deep-rooted erosion control plants like groundcovers, shrubs, and perennials that can establish quickly and stabilize soil. Plant in fall or early spring when rainfall naturally helps establishment, spacing plants closer together than normal recommendations to achieve faster coverage. Create terraced planting pockets or use erosion control fabric to prevent washout during the first growing season. Focus on native species adapted to your zone that spread aggressively through runners or rhizomes for maximum soil stabilization.

Can native ground covers and grasses stop erosion in my yard?

Yes, native ground covers and grasses are highly effective at stopping erosion because their extensive root systems bind soil together and slow water runoff. Native bunch grasses like buffalo grass and blue grama develop roots 3-6 feet deep, while ground covers such as wild strawberry and creeping phlox form dense mats that protect soil surface from wind and rain. These plants establish quickly in their native zones and require less maintenance than non-native alternatives. Choose species suited to your hardiness zone and plant density - typically 1-2 feet apart for ground covers and seed grasses at 2-3 pounds per 1,000 square feet for best erosion control results.

What type of mulch is best for protecting bare soil on slopes?

For slopes, organic mulches like shredded bark or wood chips work best because they interlock and stay in place better than loose materials. Apply a 2-3 inch layer, but avoid piling mulch directly against plant stems to prevent moisture issues. Straw or erosion control blankets provide excellent temporary protection while newly planted erosion control plants establish their root systems. Choose mulch with varied particle sizes rather than uniform pieces to create better soil contact and reduce washaway during heavy rains.

How do I install swales or rain gardens for erosion control?

To install a swale, dig a shallow depression 6-18 inches deep that follows the natural contour of your slope, creating a gentle channel that slows and redirects runoff. For rain gardens, excavate a bowl-shaped area 4-8 inches deep in a low spot at least 10 feet from your foundation, sizing it to capture runoff from your roof or driveway. Plant both features with deep-rooted natives like sedges, native grasses, and moisture-tolerant perennials that can handle both wet and dry conditions. Install during spring or fall when plants establish best, and mulch heavily to prevent weeds while your erosion control plants take root.

Should I use retaining walls for erosion on dramatic slopes, and what materials work best?

For slopes steeper than 3:1 (33% grade), retaining walls are often necessary to prevent catastrophic soil loss, especially in zones with heavy rainfall or freeze-thaw cycles. Natural stone, concrete blocks, or treated timber work best, with proper drainage installed every 6-8 feet to prevent water buildup behind the wall. Install retaining walls during dry seasons (late summer through early fall) when soil is most stable for excavation. Combine walls with deep-rooted plants like juniper or sumac planted above and below the structure for maximum long-term stability.

What are fast-growing groundcovers like vinca or phlox good for erosion-prone areas?

Fast-growing groundcovers like vinca and phlox excel in erosion-prone areas because they quickly establish dense root systems that bind soil and create living carpets that slow water runoff. Vinca minor spreads 12-18 inches wide and thrives in zones 4-9, while creeping phlox forms colorful mats in zones 3-9, both establishing within one growing season. These low-maintenance groundcovers work especially well on slopes and banks where grass struggles to grow. Plant them 12-18 inches apart in spring for fastest coverage and soil stabilization by fall.

How do I stagger plantings on hillsides to reduce water runoff?

Plant erosion control species in staggered rows across the slope rather than up and down, spacing groundcovers 18-24 inches apart and shrubs 3-5 feet apart depending on mature size. Create terraced planting pockets by installing deeper-rooted plants like willow or dogwood shrubs every 8-10 feet upslope, with low groundcovers like creeping phlox or vinca filling spaces between. This creates natural barriers that slow water flow and allow maximum soil infiltration. Start planting from the bottom of the slope and work upward, ensuring each row is fully established before moving to the next level.

What plants are ideal for rain gardens to manage erosion?

Rain gardens require plants that thrive in both wet and dry conditions while providing strong erosion control through extensive root systems. Native sedges like Carex species, blue flag iris, and cardinal flower excel in rain garden zones 3-9, tolerating seasonal flooding while their dense roots stabilize soil during heavy runoff. Shrubs such as red-osier dogwood and elderberry add structural support in deeper areas, while native grasses like switchgrass handle the fluctuating moisture levels. Plant your rain garden with 60% native perennials and 40% shrubs, spacing them 12-18 inches apart for optimal soil stabilization within the first growing season.

How deep-rooted grasses like fescue help with soil stabilization?

Deep-rooted grasses like tall fescue develop extensive root systems that penetrate 2-4 feet deep, creating a dense underground network that anchors soil particles and prevents erosion. These fibrous roots form a natural mesh that holds soil in place during heavy rains while their above-ground growth slows water runoff on slopes. Fescue thrives in zones 3-9 and establishes quickly when seeded in early fall or spring. Plant fescue on slopes steeper than 15 degrees or areas with consistent water flow for maximum soil stabilization benefits.

About Erosion Control & Top Plants For Erosion!