Let’s talk about the lie we’ve all believed: that mulch alone will keep weeds at bay. You spread it every spring, thick and fresh, feeling accomplished. Then three weeks later, you’re on your knees pulling weeds through it like some kind of gardening Groundhog Day.
Mulch helps. But you know what’s better? Living mulch—ground covers that spread fast, form dense mats, and physically block weeds from germinating. These plants don’t just slow weeds down. They choke them out entirely by hogging sunlight, space, and soil resources.
If you’re tired of the endless weeding cycle and want a garden that fights back on its own, these 13 ground covers are about to become your secret weapon.
What Makes a Ground Cover “Weed-Smothering”?
Not every ground cover is up for the job. Here’s what you need:
Fast spreading habit: Slow growers leave gaps that weeds exploit. You want plants that fill in quickly and aggressively.
Dense growth pattern: Thick foliage blocks sunlight from reaching the soil surface. Sparse, open plants won’t cut it.
Shallow, spreading root systems: Roots that spread outward help the plant colonize new territory fast while competing with weed roots for resources.
Adaptability: The best weed fighters thrive in a range of conditions without constant babysitting.
Low height: Ground-hugging plants create a seamless mat. Taller plants leave room for weeds to sneak in below.
Now let’s get to the plants that actually do the work.
1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
The Quick Overview: Creeping thyme is the fragrant, tough-as-nails ground cover that handles foot traffic, drought, and poor soil while forming a dense, weed-smothering mat. When you step on it, it releases a delightful herby scent.
Why It Works: Creeping thyme spreads by underground runners that form a tight carpet just 2–4 inches tall. The dense foliage blocks light from reaching the soil, and it even has allelopathic properties—meaning it releases natural chemicals that inhibit weed seed germination. It’s basically chemical warfare, but the good kind.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun
- Well-drained soil (thrives in poor, rocky soil)
- Zones 4–9
- Space 6–12 inches apart
- Very low water once established
Pro Tip: Red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum coccineus) offers gorgeous crimson blooms in summer. Plant it between stepping stones or along pathways where you’ll brush against it and release that amazing scent.
2. Dragon’s Blood Sedum (Sedum spurium)
The Quick Overview: Dragon’s Blood sedum is the drought-tolerant succulent with striking bronze-red foliage and ruby-red summer flowers. It spreads quickly to form a dense, mat that weeds can’t penetrate.
Why It Works: This sedum roots wherever its stems touch the ground, rapidly colonizing bare soil. The thick, succulent leaves retain water, making it incredibly drought-tolerant. The dense growth habit blocks sunlight and outcompetes weeds for the little moisture and nutrients available. It’s one of the most versatile and hardy weed-smotherers you can plant.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-drained, even poor or rocky soil
- Zones 3–8
- Space 10–15 inches apart
- Very low water once established
Pro Tip: Dragon’s Blood sedum tolerates neglect better than almost any other ground cover. Plant it in that impossible strip next to the driveway or on a sunny slope where nothing else survives—it’ll thrive where others fail.
3. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
The Quick Overview: Creeping phlox—also called moss phlox—creates a stunning carpet of star-shaped flowers in spring. The colors range from white to pink to purple to blue, and the dense evergreen foliage suppresses weeds year-round.
Why It Works: Once established, creeping phlox forms thick, cascading mats that completely cover the soil. The semi-evergreen needle-like foliage stays dense enough to block light and crowd out weeds even when it’s not blooming. It’s especially effective on slopes and rock walls.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun
- Well-drained soil (tolerates poor, rocky soil)
- Zones 3–9
- Space 12–18 inches apart
- Low water once established
Pro Tip: Shear creeping phlox lightly after blooming to encourage denser growth and better weed suppression. This also keeps it from getting leggy and thin in the center.
4. Ajuga/Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
The Quick Overview: Ajuga is the fast-spreading ground cover with colorful foliage—purple, bronze, or variegated—and spikes of blue flowers in spring. It fills in aggressively and smothers weeds with impressive efficiency.
Why It Works: Bugleweed spreads by stolons (above-ground runners), quickly colonizing new territory. The rosettes of leaves overlap to form a dense carpet that blocks light. It grows in sun or shade, making it one of the most versatile weed-suppressing ground covers available.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to full shade
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Zones 3–10
- Space 12–15 inches apart
- Moderate water
Pro Tip: Ajuga can be aggressive—which is exactly what you want for weed control, but maybe not next to your perennial beds. Use edging to contain it, or plant it where spreading is an asset, like under trees or on slopes.
5. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
The Quick Overview: Creeping Jenny—especially the golden ‘Aurea’ variety—brings bright chartreuse color to gardens while spreading rapidly to form a dense, weed-smothering carpet. It thrives in moist conditions where other ground covers struggle.
Why It Works: This plant spreads aggressively via trailing stems that root at every node. The coin-shaped leaves overlap densely, blocking light and preventing weed seeds from germinating. It fills in quickly—even in difficult shady, moist areas.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to full shade (gold varieties color best in sun)
- Moist to wet soil (tolerates occasional flooding)
- Zones 3–9
- Space 12–18 inches apart
- Regular water
Pro Tip: Creeping Jenny is perfect for rain gardens, pond edges, or that perpetually soggy spot where nothing else grows. It can be invasive in ideal conditions, so plant it where aggressive spreading is welcome.
6. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
The Quick Overview: Sweet woodruff is the shade-loving ground cover with whorls of bright green leaves and delicate white flowers in spring. It spreads steadily to form a fragrant, weed-suppressing carpet in woodland settings.
Why It Works: This plant thrives where many ground covers struggle—in dry shade under trees. It spreads via underground rhizomes, filling in to create a thick mat that chokes out weeds. The sweet-scented foliage (dried, it smells like fresh-cut hay and vanilla) is deer-resistant and rabbit-proof.
Best Conditions:
- Partial to full shade
- Moist, well-drained soil (tolerates dry shade once established)
- Zones 4–8
- Space 12–15 inches apart
- Moderate water during establishment
Pro Tip: Sweet woodruff is perfect for planting under deciduous trees where grass won’t grow. It stays low (about 8–10 inches) and spreads gently but persistently, eventually crowding out weeds completely.
7. Vinca Minor/Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
The Quick Overview: Periwinkle is the classic, shade-tolerant ground cover with glossy evergreen leaves and charming blue flowers in spring. It’s incredibly tough and spreads reliably to form dense, weed-proof mats.
Why It Works: Vinca minor roots wherever its trailing stems touch the ground, creating a thick network of foliage that blocks light year-round. It handles dry shade, poor soil, and neglect while steadily expanding to crowd out weeds.
Best Conditions:
- Partial shade to full shade (tolerates sun in cool climates)
- Well-drained soil (adapts to most conditions)
- Zones 4–9
- Space 12–18 inches apart
- Low water once established
Pro Tip: Vinca minor can spread aggressively and is considered invasive in some regions. Check local guidelines before planting, and avoid planting it near natural areas where it might escape. For weed control in contained garden beds, it’s incredibly effective.
8. Mazus (Mazus reptans)
The Quick Overview: Mazus is the low-growing charmer that hugs the ground at just 2 inches tall while producing clusters of orchid-like purple flowers in spring. It spreads quickly and handles light foot traffic.
Why It Works: This tiny powerhouse spreads 6–12 inches per season once established, forming a dense, weed-smothering mat. The low profile creates a seamless carpet that leaves no room for weeds to emerge. It’s perfect between stepping stones, along pathways, or in lawn alternatives.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Zones 5–8
- Space 6–12 inches apart
- Moderate water
Pro Tip: Mazus looks delicate but is surprisingly tough. It handles occasional foot traffic without complaint, making it ideal for planting in gaps between pavers where weeds usually take hold.
9. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
The Quick Overview: Irish moss forms a lush, moss-like carpet of tiny, bright green leaves studded with small white flowers in spring. It’s not actually a moss—it’s a flowering plant that mimics the look while spreading to suppress weeds.
Why It Works: Irish moss grows in tight, dense mats that leave no gaps for weeds to exploit. It spreads steadily, filling in bare spots and creating a seamless green carpet. The tiny leaves are packed so tightly that weed seeds can’t reach the soil to germinate.
Best Conditions:
- Partial shade to full sun (afternoon shade in hot climates)
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Zones 4–8
- Space 6–12 inches apart
- Regular water (doesn’t like drying out)
Pro Tip: Irish moss is perfect between stepping stones and pavers where you want a soft, green look. Keep it consistently moist—it can brown out during droughts but usually recovers with watering.
10. Catmint (Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’)
The Quick Overview: Catmint isn’t a traditional ground cover, but ‘Walker’s Low’ spreads 2–3 feet wide per plant, creating billowy masses of lavender-blue flowers and aromatic gray-green foliage that crowd out weeds beautifully.
Why It Works: While not flat to the ground, catmint’s spreading, mounding habit creates dense coverage that shades out weeds. The aromatic foliage repels deer and rabbits, and the plant blooms from late spring through fall—covering a lot of ground (literally) for months.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to light shade
- Well-drained soil (thrives in poor soil)
- Zones 4–8
- Space 18–24 inches apart
- Low water once established
Pro Tip: Shear catmint back by half after the first bloom flush in early summer. It’ll rebound with fresh foliage and a second wave of flowers while staying dense and weed-suppressing.
11. Creeping Raspberry (Rubus pentalobus)
The Quick Overview: Creeping raspberry is the fast-spreading ground cover with gorgeous, velvety leaves that turn bronze in cool weather. It’s incredibly vigorous and quickly forms dense mats that weeds simply can’t penetrate.
Why It Works: This plant spreads aggressively via runners, rooting as it goes and colonizing bare ground fast. The textured leaves overlap to form a tight canopy that blocks light. It handles sun or shade and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-drained soil (adaptable)
- Zones 6–9
- Space 18–24 inches apart
- Moderate water
Pro Tip: Creeping raspberry is also sold as Rubus calycinoides and ‘Emerald Carpet.’ It’s evergreen in mild climates and semi-evergreen in colder zones. Use it on slopes for erosion control and weed suppression in one.
12. Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida)
The Quick Overview: Brass buttons is the delicate-looking ground cover with soft, fern-like foliage that forms a low, dense carpet. Don’t let the dainty appearance fool you—it’s aggressive and effective at smothering weeds.
Why It Works: This plant spreads via underground rhizomes, quickly colonizing new territory. The finely textured foliage creates a tight mat just 1–2 inches tall, blocking light and crowding out weeds. It handles light foot traffic and looks beautiful between pavers or as a lawn alternative.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Zones 4–9
- Space 12–15 inches apart
- Regular water (doesn’t like drying out)
Pro Tip: Brass buttons can spread aggressively—great for weed control, but use edging if you need to contain it. It can look withered in drought, so keep it watered for the best appearance.
13. Plumbago/Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
The Quick Overview: Leadwort is the late-season star with brilliant blue flowers in late summer and stunning red fall foliage. It spreads steadily to form dense colonies that crowd out weeds while providing gorgeous seasonal color.
Why It Works: Plumbago spreads via underground runners, gradually colonizing bare ground. The overlapping leaves create a dense canopy that blocks light and prevents weed seeds from germinating. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and handles heat without complaint.
Best Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-drained soil (adaptable)
- Zones 5–9
- Space 12–18 inches apart
- Low water once established
Pro Tip: Leadwort is slow to emerge in spring—don’t panic if it’s not up by May. The late start actually works in your favor, allowing you to plant spring bulbs in the same space. The plumbago will fill in and hide the dying bulb foliage.
Getting Ground Covers Established
These plants will do the weed-smothering work—but only after they’re established. Here’s how to set them up for success:
Clear existing weeds first. Ground covers choke out weeds, but they can’t outcompete established perennial weeds. Remove all weeds before planting, roots and all.
Amend the soil if needed. Most ground covers are adaptable, but they’ll establish faster in decent soil. Work in compost before planting.
Space appropriately for coverage. Closer spacing means faster fill-in. If you’re impatient (no judgment), plant a bit closer than the recommended spacing.
Water consistently during establishment. Even drought-tolerant ground covers need regular water for the first growing season. After that, most can fend for themselves.
Mulch between plants initially. Until the ground cover fills in, mulch the gaps to prevent weeds from exploiting bare soil. The mulch becomes unnecessary once the plants cover the ground.
Be patient the first year. Ground covers often spend their first season developing roots rather than spreading. By year two, they take off.
The Garden That Weeds Itself
Here’s the beautiful truth about ground covers: they turn weed control from a constant chore into a one-time investment.
You plant them once. You water them through the first season. You watch them spread. And then—almost like magic—the weeding stops. Not because you’re out there every weekend pulling. Because there’s literally no room for weeds to grow.
That’s not cheating. That’s working with nature instead of against it. You’re using plants to do what plants do best—compete for resources, colonize territory, and crowd out the competition.
Pick a few ground covers from this list that match your conditions. Clear the weeds. Plant densely. Water through the first season. Then step back and watch them take over.
A few years from now, you’ll barely remember what it was like to spend weekends weeding. And that’s exactly the point.