11 Ground Covers That Keep Weeds Out for Good

Tired of pulling weeds every weekend? The right ground cover can save you time, reduce maintenance, and add lasting beauty to your yard.

These 11 plants grow dense and low, forming a living mulch that outcompetes weeds and fills in bare spots with ease.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

With its bright chartreuse foliage and fast-spreading habit, Creeping Jenny forms a lush mat that chokes out weeds. It’s great for borders, slopes, and containers.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

This tough, low-growing plant spreads quickly and produces vibrant blue flower spikes in spring. It thrives in part shade and covers ground like a pro.

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Perfect for shady areas, sweet woodruff forms a fragrant carpet of whorled leaves and delicate white flowers. It’s deer-resistant and weed-suppressing.

Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

A go-to for dry shade, pachysandra spreads steadily and creates a thick evergreen blanket that’s practically impenetrable to weeds.

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Fragrant, flowering, and tough, creeping thyme hugs the ground and tolerates foot traffic. It’s a great low-maintenance choice for sunny paths and gaps.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Low-growing varieties of sedum like 'Dragon’s Blood' form colorful mats in poor soil. These succulents thrive on neglect and make weeding a thing of the past.

Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

This grass-like ground cover grows in clumps that gradually spread. It works well in shade or sun and creates a clean, weed-free look along borders and walkways.

Lamium (Lamium maculatum)

Also called spotted deadnettle, this fast-growing shade lover offers silvery leaves and tiny blooms. It quickly covers ground without being too aggressive.

Liriope (Liriope muscari)

Sometimes called monkey grass, liriope is a hardy option for edging and mass planting. It forms dense clumps that smother weeds and add texture.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

This native ground cover spreads slowly in shady areas and forms a thick mat of heart-shaped leaves. It’s perfect for woodland gardens with minimal weeding.

Herniaria glabra (Green Carpet)

This underused gem stays low and dense, creating a fine-textured green carpet that’s weed-resistant and tough enough for light foot traffic.

Why fight weeds when your ground covers can do it for you? These low-growing champions fill in fast, block sunlight from reaching weed seeds, and look great doing it. Choose a few that suit your space, and enjoy a neater yard with less work.