18 Ground Cover Plants That Choke Out Weeds Naturally

Weeds have a frustrating way of finding every bare patch of soil in the garden. Once they take hold, they compete with your flowers, shrubs, and vegetables for sunlight, water, and nutrients, often turning garden maintenance into a never-ending chore.

One of the easiest ways to reduce weeds naturally is to fill those empty spaces with dense, spreading ground covers. These plants create a living mulch that shades the soil, blocks weed seeds from germinating, and leaves little room for unwanted plants to establish themselves. Many also add beautiful flowers, attractive foliage, and year-round interest while requiring far less work than constant weeding.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to keep weeds under control, these ground cover plants can do much of the work for you.

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle spreads quickly through shady areas, forming a dense carpet of glossy evergreen leaves that leaves little room for weeds to emerge. In spring, it produces blue-purple flowers that add color while helping cover difficult spots beneath trees and shrubs.

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)

Lenten rose may not spread aggressively, but its large evergreen foliage shades the soil and helps suppress weeds year-round. Its blooms appear in late winter and early spring, providing color when few other plants are flowering.

Related: Perennial Flowers That Pop Up Every Blooming Season

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff creates a lush blanket of finely textured foliage that quickly fills shady garden beds. Its dense growth habit makes it difficult for weeds to gain a foothold, while clusters of white flowers add charm in spring.

Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis)

Trailing lantana spreads rapidly across sunny locations, covering bare ground with colorful blooms for months at a time. Once established, it forms a thick mat that helps crowd out many common weeds while attracting butterflies.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping phlox is famous for transforming hillsides and borders into a sea of spring color. Its evergreen foliage continues working long after the blooms fade, helping prevent weeds from taking over exposed soil.

Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum)

Dead nettle thrives where many plants struggle, especially beneath trees and in heavily shaded areas. Its silver-patterned leaves spread quickly to create a weed-blocking ground cover that brightens dark corners of the garden.

Related: 15 Plants You Only Have to Plant Once (They Come Back Every Year)

Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Candytuft forms low-growing evergreen mounds that gradually knit together into a dense ground cover. Its bright white flowers provide a beautiful spring display while its foliage helps suppress weeds year-round.

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

The soft, fuzzy leaves of lamb’s ear spread outward to create a thick silver mat across the soil. This dense foliage shades the ground, making it harder for weed seeds to germinate and establish.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed is one of the fastest-spreading ground covers available, making it an excellent choice for weed-prone areas. Its dense foliage and spikes of blue-purple flowers quickly fill gaps and prevent weeds from gaining space.

Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Low-growing sedums thrive in dry, sunny areas where many other plants struggle. Their succulent foliage spreads over the soil surface, helping reduce weed growth while adding texture and seasonal color.

Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)

Hardy plumbago forms an attractive carpet of green foliage that becomes even more striking when brilliant blue flowers appear in late summer. As it spreads, it effectively shades the soil and helps keep weeds under control.

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme creates a fragrant mat of tiny leaves that tolerates light foot traffic and sunny conditions. Its dense growth habit makes it difficult for weeds to break through, and the flowers are highly attractive to pollinators.

Epimedium (Epimedium spp.)

Epimedium excels in dry shade, one of the most challenging areas for gardeners to manage. Its spreading roots and attractive foliage help fill empty spaces while reducing the need for constant weeding.

Liriope (Liriope spp.)

Liriope forms dense clumps that gradually spread into thick borders and ground covers. Its grassy foliage creates a natural barrier against weeds, while spikes of purple flowers add seasonal interest.

Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

Pachysandra is often considered one of the best evergreen ground covers for deep shade. Once established, it forms a solid blanket of foliage that effectively smothers weeds and requires very little maintenance.

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Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny spreads quickly with trailing stems that root as they grow, covering large areas in a short amount of time. Its vibrant chartreuse foliage brightens the landscape while helping prevent weeds from taking over.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Bearberry is a tough native ground cover that thrives in poor soils and sunny locations. Its low-growing evergreen habit creates year-round coverage that helps reduce weed pressure while providing seasonal berries.

Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens)

This native alternative to traditional pachysandra spreads slowly but steadily through woodland gardens. Its attractive mottled foliage and ability to form dense colonies make it a valuable choice for natural weed suppression in shaded areas.

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