Q. How far apart should I space my plants?

A. Spacing depends on the growth rate of the plant. The average growth rate is 6-8” in one year. Slow growing plants will spread an average of 2-4” per year. Fast growing plants will spread an average of 8-12”.

Things to remember if you space your plants far apart:
1. The farther you space you plants, the more maintenance will be required.
2. Weed maintenance will become an issue.
3. Bark dust can be used as an alternative until your plants fill in.
4. Pre-emergent weed control is okay, but will slow the growth of your plant.
5. Hand weeding always = time.
6. Plants that fill in fast will more than likely continue to creep into other areas unless boundaries are used.

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Q. How much water do my plants need?

A. This will depend on your soil and the ability of it to drain. Poor draining soil will need gravel or sand added to it. Note: With sand or gravel, drainage will be great during the winter and summer. However, plants surrounded by gravel will have a tendency to dry out in the heat. A mixture of soil and gravel will be the best scenario to give your plants the best drainage in all weather.

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Q. What is the difference between sun, part sun, shade and part shade?

A. Sun: All day sun and heat.
Part Sun: Afternoon sun if fine.
Shade: All day shade is fine.
Part Shade: Morning light is best.

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Q. Will my dog ruin my STEPABLES®?

A. The dogs are not that big of a problem, but I would consider putting down additional gravel before you plant. If you do that, your plants will have a better chance for survival; not only for foot traffic, but also for the other things dogs do. The plants will grow and work like grout in and amongst the rock and every time the dog nubs it down, it won't be in mud, but in the gravel, where the plant will have a place to push back up from. There are many sizes of gravel. Pick one according to the look of the landscape, but also your dog. A little Terrier won't be able to get around on big gravel and a Great Dane will crush the smallest gravel in no time.

The best plants for dog traffic are those with runners underneath the soil surface. The reason for this is that no matter how much foot traffic there is, the plant will generally resurface.

It is ideal to plant on the outside edges first, staggering each set of plants to offset any “soldiers” in a straight line. You can plant in the middle, but the dogs may have a field day if that is where the heaviest traffic is. Consider placing stones in this area. You can then plant around the stones. This will help with the wear and tear on the plants, and it will also hold up better in foul weather.
Just remember...if you alternate the other plantings, they will all creep together eventually.

Plants that will tolerate dog traffic.
Sun to part shade
Isotoma/Laurentia
Lobelia chinensis
Lotus corniculatus Plenus
Nierembergia repens
Pratia penduncularis ‘County Park’
Pratia penduncularis “Little Star”


Shade to part shade
Eleocharis radicans
Hydrocoytle sibthorpiodes
All Leptinellas
Viola hederacea

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Q. Can I use them in my driveway?

A. Many STEPABLE® plants can take some degree of car traffic, but none are guaranteed to withstand the constant abuse of a car. Many of these plants, when planted around gravel will join together so tight with the gravel, that a very firm base will be made---enough to withstand a car driving over it.
Car traffic is much the same of foot traffic. These plants will not take burnouts, doing doughnuts over them or a boat parked on top of them. If sunlight, air and water are not given, the plants will die.

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Q. How do I know what kind of soil I have?

A. Everyone has different soil in his or her yard. The best way to find out what kind of soil you have is to take a sample to your local garden center for analysis.

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Q. Are STEPABLES® deer resistant?

A. Yes many are. You can do a search for deer resistant STEPABLES® on our plant search.

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Q. Can I use them around pools?

A. Yes you can. Many of these plants will be just fine around a pool area. However, you wouldn’t want to bring debris into the water, so don’t plant to close to the edge. Also, pick plants that bloom in spring not summer or do not bloom at all. The bees tend to love the summer bloomers and this could be troublesome for your guests.

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Q. Will STEPABLES® invade the rest of my yard?

Some STEPABLES® have aggressive growth rates. If you are concerned with maintenance issues, plant slow to moderate growers. These will be easier to keep in check. Note: What some people consider invasive and a nightmare plant, others may consider a dream come true. When picking any groundcover, do your homework and be sure you will be happy with the final outcome.

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Q. What zone am I in?

A. Check our zone map for proper identification.
Note: Our weather patterns seem to be ever changing and Mother Nature can be quite unpredictable. If you are nervous about survival, pick plants rated a zone lower than what you are listed for. This will help ensure survival. However, as with any living, breathing organism, it does not guarantee it.

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Q. Why do some plants live in my yard that are not rated for my zone and others that should be fine, don’t make it?

A. Plants are very funny little creatures. Even the slightest change can make a plant grow like never before, or make it crash suddenly. Weather from year to year is probably the largest reason for great success and failure. Tropical plants are one of the hottest trends right now in landscaping. Most of these plants are “officially” taboo for cold areas, but there are many that will swear they can get them to live from year to year.

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Q. I am sure I have a brown thumb. Why do my plants die?

A. Plants live and die. One year they may be fine and they next…total devastation. The can be so many factors that lead into a plants death---too much water, not enough water, same goes for sun exposure. You planted plants under a tree, but this year the tree blew down-that changes everything.
Also, when buying plants from a garden center, keep in mind that these plants have been given professional care from the beginning. Proper feeding, watering and maintenance gets that plant to your garden center in tip-top shape. When you take it home, there is a real chance you may not give it the attention it has gotten in the past. Ask you garden center personnel exactly how to take care of your plants and help them through that transitional phase.

READ THE LABEL-very important. Do not put a shade plant in full sun or a full sun plant in the shade. Even it’s a perfect fit…it won’t make the transition and it will stress out the plants-resulting in death or at the very least, a weak plant that will succumb eventually.

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Q. How do I figure foot traffic for these plants?

A. We have made it easy for you to estimate how much foot traffic your plants can withstand.

Light Foot Traffic: Plants will take traffic one to two times a week
Moderate Foot Traffic: Plants will take foot traffic one to two times a day.
Heavy Foot Traffic: Plants that will take foot traffic three times or more a day.

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Q. Can I over plant perennials with STEPABLES®?

A. Yes…by all means! STEPABLES® are the perfect blanket to cover your plants and give a push of color to make your perennials beds really stand out.

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Q. Can I over plant flower bulbs?

A. Absolutely! Most flower bulbs will push right through your STEPABLE® with no problem. Check out our COMBINATION SENSATION page for ideas.

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Q. Which STEPABLES® can I use around roses?

A. Many STEPABLES® can be planted around roses. Look for plants that require less moisture, full sun and great drainage. You can do a search on the Plant Info page to find out exactly which ones will work for your area.

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Q. Which STEPABLES® are scented?

A. Thymes, Chamomile, Artemisia, and Mints.

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Q. Can I use STEPABLES® as lawn replacements?

A. Some STEPABLES® are perfect for lawn replacements.
TIP: For ornamental purposes, most STEPABLES® will work as lawn substitutions. If you will be using the area for football games and soccer matches, definitely match your foot traffic to the foot traffic indicator for the plant.

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Q. What kind of maintenance do STEPABLES® require?

A. Most will require no maintenance, while others will need a trim every so often.
TIP: If the plant is fast grower, it will be a “happy” plant and grow faster than the others and need more maintenance. If you do NOT want to maintain your plants, use STEPABLES® with slow or moderate growth rates.

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Q. What kind of fertilizer do I use?

A. A simple 20-20-20 liquid feed will be great for your STEPABLES®. You can use a slow release granule fertilizer, but it must be applied under the surface of the plant. Do not let any chemical lay on top of the plants. This applies to fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides (especially Slug and Snail bait).

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Q. How deep do I plant my path?

A. Plant your path as deep as the pots they were grown in.

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Q. Can I cut them apart?

A. Yes. Most STEPABLES® can be cut apart with a utility knife, or garden shears.

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Q. Are they perennials?

A. This depends on your zone. If you are in zone 5 and but zone 7 plants, they may not survive for you.

However, for the most part, these plants will come back year after year for you. There is no guarantee that Mother Nature will not throw a curve and give you the worst winter ever-turning your zone 5 to zone 4 and your plants may not make it.

It doesn’t mean the plant isn’t hardy, it just means the weather is always unpredictable and plants will either adapt or not.

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