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Weeds have a way of showing up in all the wrong places—between patio stones, in flower beds, and across the lawn. They’re more than just an eyesore. Weeds compete with your plants for water, sunlight, and nutrients, which can slow down growth and hurt your garden.
Instead of spending hours pulling them by hand, you can prevent many weeds by growing plants that naturally cover the ground. These plants make it harder for weed seeds to sprout.
Here are 15 plants that help stop weeds before they start, making it easier to keep your garden healthy and low-maintenance.
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Also known as creeping myrtle, Vinca minor is a classic ground cover that quickly spreads across shady areas. Its glossy green leaves and soft periwinkle-blue flowers add color and texture while crowding out weeds.
It’s a hardy, low-maintenance choice for difficult clay soil. Plant 12 inches apart and trim back the edges as needed to keep it contained.
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Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)
Helleborus, commonly called Lenten rose, brings early-season color to shaded gardens with blooms ranging from creamy white to deep burgundy. This shade-loving perennial is both tough and low-maintenance, ideal for zones 4–10.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet Woodruff is a fragrant, fast-spreading ground cover with small white flowers and whorled green leaves. It prefers partial to full shade and moist soil but requires little care beyond occasional watering in dry spells. Be aware—it can spread aggressively, so trim regularly to keep it in check. Zones 4–8.
Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis)
This trailing variety of Lantana is perfect for quickly covering large areas with trailing purple blooms from spring through fall. It thrives in heat, attracts butterflies, and resists browsing by deer and rabbits. Zones 9–11.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping Phlox produces a carpet of pink, purple, or white star-shaped flowers in early spring. Its evergreen foliage keeps the ground covered year-round. This sun-loving perennial is perfect for slopes, rock gardens, or any spot that needs weed control. Best in zones 3–10 with well-drained soil.
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Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum)
Lamium maculatum, also called dead nettle, thrives in the shade with its silver-striped leaves and clusters of pink, purple, or white blooms. It grows well even in heavy clay soil and is great for filling gaps under trees or in other low-light spots.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Candytuft is a low-growing evergreen perennial that spills over garden edges with clusters of white flowers in spring. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil and benefits from light pruning after blooming to stay compact and lush.
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s ear is a favorite for its fuzzy, silvery leaves that resemble soft velvet. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and spreads easily, creating a dense mat that suppresses weeds. It can become invasive in warmer climates. Zones 4–8.
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Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bugleweed spreads quickly to form a dense mat of foliage topped with spikes of deep blue or purple flowers in spring. It’s tough, low-maintenance, and ideal for sun or part shade. Its thick growth keeps weeds at bay and adds rich color to the garden. Zones 4–9.
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Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Often called stonecrop, Sedum includes many low-growing varieties that are drought-tolerant and ideal for sunny areas with poor soil. Their fleshy, succulent leaves and clusters of small flowers add interest year-round. Zones 3–8.
Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Hardy Plumbago is a spreading ground cover with intense blue flowers that bloom from late summer into fall. Its foliage turns reddish-bronze in autumn. This plant is drought-tolerant and forms a thick mat that chokes out weeds. Zones 9–11.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping Thyme is a fragrant ground cover with tiny, aromatic leaves and pink to purple blooms in summer. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, forming a low mat that prevents weed growth while adding a lovely herbal scent to walkways and garden beds. Zones 5–9.
Epimedium (Barrenwort)
If you’ve got a shady corner that needs a little love, epimedium is a graceful groundcover that quietly steals the show. In early spring, it sends up airy blooms in soft yellows, pinks, or purples, and the heart-shaped foliage sticks around to add texture all season long. Deer don’t care for it, and neither do weeds.
Liriope (Lilyturf)
Liriope looks like simple grassy clumps at first, but just wait until late summer when those rich purple flower spikes appear. It’s incredibly resilient—drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and tough enough to survive even when neglected behind a shed.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra is the groundcover you call in when nothing else wants to grow in the shade. It spreads quickly to form a thick mat of glossy green leaves, with tiny white blooms that make a quiet appearance in early spring.
16 Gorgeous Wildflowers Perfect for Low Maintenance Gardens
Starting a wildflower garden requires careful planning, especially if you want it to be low-maintenance. Choosing the right plants known for being easy to grow is crucial for success. Here are 16 gorgeous, easy-to-grow wildflowers perfect for creating a stunning, carefree garden.
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10 Reasons to Grow a Wildflower Garden
Besides their beauty, wildflowers provide numerous environmental benefits and are useful throughout the year, not just when they bloom. Here are ten reasons why you should grow a wildflower garden.
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11 Reasons Why Wild Violets Deserve a Place in Your Garden
Wild violets are tough little plants that can grow just about anywhere. While some consider them annoying weeds, their distinctive purple-blue flowers and heart-shaped leaves actually offer surprising benefits. Here are a few reasons to reconsider uprooting wild violets.
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30 Native Plants That Will Draw Beautiful Birds to Your Yard
If you want to attract more birds to your garden, the right plant choices can make all the difference. Here are 16 native plants that will attract a variety of birds.
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