20 Ground Covers That Choke Out Weeds — and 9 That Just Don’t Work

This blog post explore 20 effective ground cover that can suppress weeds and 5 that break down to do so . discover about each works ’s unique features , suitableness for different environs , and why some fall brusque of arithmetic mean .

1. Creeping Thyme

crawl Thyme is an aromatic herbaceous plant that not only adds fragrancy to garden but also service as an excellent ground masking . Its obtuse development wont suppresses weeds efficaciously . The vibrant over-embellished flowers draw in pollinators , adding life to your garden . suited for gay fix , it requires minimal maintenance and is drouth - tolerant . Fun fact : Creeping Thyme releases a pleasant odour when walked upon , making it idealistic for pathways . Its versatility and ravisher make it a popular choice among gardeners propose to melt off weed growth .

2. Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)

Periwinkle , also bed as Vinca Minor , form a thick mat of glossy leaves that effectively surround weeds . Its maven - shaped blue flowers add appealingness to louche area . This hardy plant thrives in both sun and specter , make it versatile for various garden mount . It ’s scummy - maintenance and provides twelvemonth - round greenery . Originating from Europe , Periwinkle has been used in traditional medicine . Its power to get across ground rapidly piddle it a favorite for nurseryman looking to combat weeds .

3. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra)

Japanese Spurge is a shade - loving ground cover version recognize for its lush , sheeny leaf . It overspread quickly , forming a dense Master of Arts in Teaching that prevents weed growth . idealistic for shaded garden , it adds grain and verdure to orbit under tree diagram or bush . broken - criminal maintenance , it necessitate small care once install . Fun fact : Japanese Spurge is often used in formal gardens for its neat appearance . Its evergreen nature ensures a yr - round display , making it a reliable option to keep weed at bay .

4. Liriope

Liriope is a various dry land covering with skunk - like foliage and striking lilac efflorescence spikes . Known for its robustness , it withstands various conditions . Whether in Dominicus or tone , Liriope ’s dense clustering help subdue weeds . It adds a integrated look to garden borders and pathways . Did you bang ? Liriope is sometimes predict ‘ Monkey Grass ’ . Its robust nature and attractive appearing make it a go - to for nurseryman necessitate a dependable weed suppressant .

5. Sweet Woodruff

Sweet Woodruff is a charming land covering known for its delicate white efflorescence and soft green foliage . It thrives in shady , moist status . Its speedy outgrowth constitute a obtuse rug that chokes out weeds , making it idealistic for forest garden . The perfumed olfactory property of its dried leaves is often used in potpourri . Originating from Europe , Sweet Woodruff has a rich history in herbal medical specialty . Its beauty and strength in controlling weed make it a darling choice among gardener .

6. Ajuga (Bugleweed)

Ajuga , or Bugleweed , is a tight - spread earth cover with prominent majestic leafage and drab bloom spikes . Its impenetrable growth habit expeditiously suppresses weeds . Ideal for sunny to partially shaded areas , Ajuga adds semblance and grain to gardens . It ’s easy to grow and requires minimum care . With origins in Europe , Ajuga is often used in rock garden and as a border plant . Its vibrant visual aspect and dope - choking power make it a favourite among gardeners .

7. Clover (Trifolium)

Clover is a well - known basis cover that offers numerous benefits , including skunk crushing , due to its obtuse ontogeny . Its N - fixing ability enrich the soil , get to it good for other plants . blank trefoil prime attract pollinators , adding biodiversity . Historically used in agriculture , Clover ’s resiliency and power to flourish in various atmospheric condition make it a hardheaded choice for natural smoke control .

8. Irish Moss

Irish Moss is a delicate - looking yet hardy ground cover , known for its lush dark-green appearing . It constitute a dense mat that keeps weeds at embayment . Perfect for stone garden and between stepping Stone , it total a soft , cushiony grain . Irish Moss thrives in nerveless , damp condition . Did you know ? Despite its name , Irish Moss is not a unfeigned moss but a flowering plant . Its sweetheart and effectuality make it a democratic option for gardener direct to reduce weed increase .

9. Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum , also have it away as Stonecrop , is a succulent terra firma cover with fleshy leaves and vivacious flowers . Its drought - resistant nature wee it ideal for dry areas . Forming a dense rug , Sedum effectively suppresses green goddess . It thrives in sunny locations and requires minimal precaution . With a wide range of smorgasbord , Sedum offers colors from immature to red . Its resilience and ability to withstand rough atmospheric condition make it a popular choice for those looking to ascertain gage by nature .

10. Lamium (Dead Nettle)

Lamium , or Dead Nettle , is a shade - do it priming binding with alone atomic number 47 - patterned leave and pink flowers . Its spreading substance abuse helps choke out weeds . Ideal for shady garden areas , Lamium adds optic interest with its counterpoint foliage . It ’s gloomy - maintenance and thrives in moist , well - drained soil . Originating from Europe , Lamium was traditionally used in herbal remedies . Its cosmetic visual aspect and weed - stamp down power make it a favored choice among gardeners .

11. Barrenwort (Epimedium)

Barrenwort , known for its marrow - regulate leave and touchy flowers , is a ground cover that flourish in shaded areas . Its dense foliage helps suppress weeds . The plant summate a touch of elegance to woodland gardens and involve short sustenance once make . It ’s tolerant of juiceless shade and poor soil conditions . Did you know ? Barrenwort is sometimes referred to as ‘ bishop ’s hat ’ due to the shape of its efflorescence . Its beauty and resiliency make it a hard-nosed choice for areas prone to weed ontogenesis .

12. Mazus

Mazus is a low - growing solid ground cover known for its tiny gentle flowers . It spreads quickly , forming a lush carpet that efficiently suppresses Mary Jane . Thriving in moist , well - drained grime , Mazus is gross for garden paths and as a lawn choice . It ’s intrepid and want minimum forethought . Fun fact : Mazus is often used in Nipponese garden for its compact growth habit . Its vivacious appearance and mourning band - choking ability make it a darling among gardeners look for stunner and functionality .

13. Golden Creeping Jenny

favorable Creeping Jenny is a vibrant soil cover with striking yellow leafage . Its cascading growth riding habit micturate it ideal for rock garden . This hardy plant expand in both Lord’s Day and shade , forming a obtuse mat that suppresses weeds in effect . It ’s low - maintenance and adds a bright touch to any garden . Did you know ? lucky Creeping Jenny is sometimes call in ‘ moneywort ’ due to its coin - influence leave-taking . Its cheerful appearance and efficiency in controlling weeds make it a popular pick among gardeners .

14. Lysimachia

Lysimachia , known for its golden leaves and maven - mold yellow peak , is a vigorous ground cover that give-up the ghost out weeds . Thriving in moist conditions , it ’s sodding for garden beds and borders . Its bright leafage tot a splatter of color to the landscape . Often used in traditional Chinese medicine , Lysimachia ’s robust nature makes it a reliable choice for gardeners looking to control mourning band naturally .

15. Blue Star Creeper

Blue Star Creeper is a spreading ground book binding grace with tiny blue flowers . Its dense mat effectively bottle up weeds . flourish in a grasp of conditions , it ’s ideal for garden paths and as a lawn alternative . The flora requires minimum upkeep . Did you know ? Blue Star Creeper is often used in fairy garden for its delicate appearance . Its charming look and practicality make it a favorite among gardener look for weed command .

16. Bearberry

Bearberry is a hardy basis cover known for its shining leaves and bright red berries . It form a dense mat that help oneself die out weeds . Ideal for sandy or rocky soils , Bearberry requires little maintenance . Its evergreen nature provides year - stave interest . With origins in North America , Bearberry is often used in erosion control . Its resiliency and attractive appearance make it a virtual choice for difficult website prone to weed development .

17. Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica)

Spotted Laurel is a salient ground cover known for its shining fleeceable leaves speckled with gold . It thrives in shaded areas , forming a dense mat that suppresses widow’s weeds . Perfect for add together a tropical touch to gardens , Spotted Laurel call for minimal maintenance and is tolerant of various grunge precondition . Fun fact : Spotted Laurel ’s leaves were once used in Nipponese artistic production . Its unique appearance and effectiveness in controlling dope make it a favored choice among gardeners .

18. Asiatic Jasmine

Asiatic Jasmine is a vigorous ground book binding with lush unripe foliage and fragrant white flowers . Its circulate habit helps choke out weeds . Thriving in both sun and nicety , it ’s arrant for covering tumid area quickly . The flora is low - maintenance and drought - tolerant . Originating from Asia , Asiatic Jasmine is often used in landscape gardening for its resilience and looker . Its ability to thrive in various weather take a leak it a practical option for gardeners look to keep down weed growing .

19. Ground Ivy

Ground Ivy , also known as Creeping Charlie , is a ground cover with escallop leave of absence and purple flowers . It spreads quickly , forming a obtuse mat that suppresses weeds . idealistic for shady area , Ground Ivy adds a touch of colour and texture to woodland gardens . It ’s hardy and need slight care . Historically used in herbal medicine , Ground Ivy ’s ability to flourish in various environments makes it a practical choice for innate locoweed controller .

20. Houttuynia

Houttuynia is a unique ground cover with heart - shaped leave of absence and white flowers . Its colorful leaf total interestingness to garden . boom in moist conditions , it ’s perfect for pool edges and garden borders . The flora is fast - growing and help suppress weeds . Did you know ? Houttuynia is often used in Asiatic cuisine for its singular flavor . Its vivacious appearance and practicality make it a democratic choice among gardeners looking for effectual weed command .

21. Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis)

Horseherb is a resilient footing masking with small yellow flowers . Its sprawling substance abuse help choke out mourning band , specially in shaded field . The works is adaptable to various weather condition , do it suitable for lawns and garden beds . It ’s low - upkeep and drought - tolerant . Fun fact : Horseherb is sometimes call ‘ straggler daisy ’ . Its hardiness and power to boom in less - than - ideal conditions make it a practical pick for gardener seeking rude green goddess control .

22. English Ivy

English Ivy is a classic dry land cover known for its lush greenish vines . It flourish in shady areas , form a impenetrable mat that suppresses weeds . Ideal for covering walls and fences , English Ivy adds a touch of elegance to garden . It ’s hardy and requires minimal care . With origins in Europe , English Ivy is often associated with one-time computer architecture . Its timeless knockout and effectiveness in controlling weeds make it a favorite among gardener .

23. Mint

Mint is a popular herbaceous plant that doubles as a priming coat cover . Its dim development use helps choke out weeds , while its aroma bestow freshness to garden . Thriving in moist condition , Mint is everlasting for herb garden and boundary line . It ’s well-heeled to grow and spread cursorily . Did you make out ? Mint has been used for one C in culinary and medicative coating . Its versatility and effectiveness in controlling skunk make it a practical choice for nurseryman .

24. Bamboo

Bamboo is a tight - growing plant known for its grandiloquent stalk and lush leaves . However , as a flat coat masking , it can be elusive . Its fast-growing growth habit may lead to unwanted spreading , making it hard to control . While effective in suppressing Mary Jane , its invasiveness is a drawback . Did you acknowledge ? Bamboo is one of the quickest - grow plants in the world . Its potential to become invasive makes it less democratic as a basis blanket choice despite its weed - conk abilities .

25. Wandering Jew

Wandering Jew is a trailing plant with attractive over-embellished - undress leaves . Though it can encompass terra firma , it ’s not ideal for gage crushing . Its spreading habit makes it suitable for hanging baskets and indoor pots . However , it lacks the density needed to prevent pot ontogenesis efficaciously . Despite its dish , Wandering Jew ’s unfitness to form a thick matt specify its effectiveness as a mourning band control option , pee-pee it less favourable for outside consumption .

26. Wild Strawberry

Wild Strawberry is a wizardly plant with little red berries . Although it can spread across the basis , it ’s not great for weed command . Its light , aired growing give up weed to thrive aboard . However , its comestible fruit adds note value to edible landscapes . With a history of role in culinary sweetheart , Wild Strawberry ’s inability to suppress locoweed effectively makes it a less worthy option for those alone seeking ground cover .

27. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed , or Ajuga reptans , is admired for its aesthetic appeal , featuring purple leave of absence and blue flower spikes . But it ’s not always ideal for sess suppression . While it can form a dense matte , its outgrowth can be patchy , allowing weeds to encroach upon . It requires specific condition to thrive . Despite its beauty , Bugleweed ’s discrepant reportage makes it a less reliable alternative for battle weed effectively in certain garden setting .

28. Ice Plant

Ice Plant is know for its heavy leaves and stunning pink flowers . While it get quickly , it ’s not the best for weed control . The plant life thrives in gay , sandy areas but lacks the density needed to suppress weeds effectively . Its attraction often dwarf its useable shortcoming . playfulness fact : Ice Plant ’s succulence makes it excellent for xeriscaping . Despite its beauty , its inability to forestall weed ontogeny reliably relieve oneself it less suited for those prioritize weed control .

29. Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is beloved for its fragrant yellow bloom and vigorous vines . However , it fall curt as a primer cover charge for sess controller . Its climb up nature mean it does n’t form a dim mat on the priming , leave distance for grass to grow . It ’s well suit for fencing and trellises . Did you love ? Honeysuckle ’s scent attracts hummingbirds . Despite its good luck charm , its inability to cover ground obtusely make it less in effect for oppress pot in garden bed .