Best Plants for Retaining Walls: Ground Covers & Climbers

The right plants can transform a retaining wall from a bare structure into a lush landscape feature. Plants soften hard edges, prevent soil erosion above and below the wall, add colour and texture, and help integrate the wall into your garden design. Choosing species suited to Brisbane’s subtropical climate ensures they thrive with minimal maintenance.

Ground Covers for the Top of Retaining Walls Planting ground covers along the top edge of a retaining wall helps stabilise the soil, reduce erosion, and create a cascading effect as they grow over the edge:

Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla): A hardy native ground cover that trails beautifully over wall edges. Produces small white flowers and tolerates drought once established. Viola hederacea (Native Violet): Ideal for shaded retaining walls. Spreads quickly to form a dense mat and produces delicate purple and white flowers year-round. Carpobrotus glaucescens (Pigface): A tough coastal native with succulent leaves and bright pink flowers. Excellent for hot, dry positions above north-facing walls. Grevillea ‘Royal Mantle’: A spreading grevillea that cascades over walls with dark green foliage and red toothbrush flowers that attract birds. Hardenbergia violacea (Happy Wanderer): Can be used as a ground cover or climber, producing cascading purple flowers in late winter and spring. Climbers and Wall Plants Plants that grow up or along the face of a retaining wall soften its appearance and add vertical interest:

Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig): The classic wall-covering plant. Attaches directly to masonry and stone surfaces, creating a dense green wall over time. Trim regularly to keep it in check. Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine): Fragrant white flowers, evergreen foliage, and a neat growth habit make this a top choice for covering retaining walls. Pandorea jasminoides (Bower Vine): A native climber with pink trumpet flowers. Fast-growing and well-suited to Brisbane’s climate. Structural Planting Alongside Walls Medium-sized plants beside retaining walls provide structure and screen the wall partially without overwhelming it:

Lomandra longifolia (Spiny-head Mat-rush): The ultimate low-maintenance Brisbane plant. Tough, drought-tolerant, and looks good year-round. Dianella caerulea (Blue Flax Lily): Strappy foliage with blue berries, perfect for softening the base of walls. Westringia fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary): Can be shaped as a low hedge along the top of walls or left natural for a softer look. Agapanthus: While not native, agapanthus is widely used in Brisbane for its reliable performance and striking blue or white flower heads. Plants for Specific Wall Types Different wall materials suit different planting approaches. Explore our garden retaining wall resources for more design ideas:

Sandstone walls: Dry-stacked sandstone invites planting in the joints. Succulents, sedums, and small native ferns work beautifully. Gabion walls: The rough texture provides natural grip for climbers. Star jasmine and bower vine establish well on gabion surfaces. Timber walls: Avoid climbers that hold moisture against timber. Instead, plant cascading species above the wall. Planting Tips for Success Follow these guidelines for the best results when planting around retaining walls. Check out our garden retaining wall ideas for visual inspiration:

Avoid planting large trees within 2 metres of a retaining wall, as roots can undermine the structure Ensure adequate irrigation for new plantings, especially during Brisbane’s dry winter months Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it 50mm away from the wall face to prevent moisture buildup Choose plants appropriate for the aspect – north-facing walls are hot and dry, south-facing walls are cooler and shadier Need Help with the Wall First? Before you can plant, you need a quality retaining wall. Connect with local retaining wall builders in Brisbane who can construct your wall with integrated planting pockets and proper drainage for a thriving garden.

Best Plants for Retaining Walls: Ground Covers & Climbers

Need a Retaining Wall Builder?

More Articles

7 Factors That Affect Retaining Wall Cost

Multi-Level Retaining Walls: Design, Cost & Engineering

Hiring a Retaining Wall Contractor: 10 Point Checklist