24 Ground Covers That Suppress Weeds and Add Beauty to Your Garden

A well-chosen ground cover can transform a garden, providing lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and weed suppression. These low-growing plants spread quickly, filling in bare spots while reducing the need for mulching and weeding.

If you're looking for shade-tolerant options, sun-loving varieties, or flowering ground covers, this list offers beautiful choices to enhance your landscape. Worried 24 options are too many? Worry not! We have a simple quiz for you in this article, which will help you make the best choice for your garden!

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme forms a dense, aromatic carpet of tiny green leaves and delicate purple flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it perfect for rock gardens and pathways. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. Its fragrant foliage releases a pleasant scent when stepped on. Creeping thyme attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. It’s an excellent alternative to traditional grass lawns in dry climates.

2. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff is a shade-loving ground cover with fragrant, star-shaped white flowers. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and spreads quickly through underground runners. This plant is an excellent choice for woodland gardens and under trees. Sweet woodruff effectively suppresses weeds while adding texture and charm to shady areas. When dried, it releases a sweet, hay-like scent, often used in potpourri.

3. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

Corsican mint is a low-growing, mat-forming herb with tiny, bright green leaves and a refreshing minty fragrance. It thrives in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. This plant works well between stepping stones, releasing its scent when walked on. Corsican mint suppresses weeds by forming a dense ground cover. It attracts beneficial insects while deterring pests. Though it prefers consistent moisture, it’s surprisingly hardy once established.

4. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed is a fast-spreading ground cover with deep green, bronze, or purple foliage. In spring, it produces spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers that attract pollinators. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates various soil conditions. Bugleweed quickly fills in empty spaces, effectively crowding out weeds. It’s ideal for slopes, shady areas, and between garden beds.

5. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a vibrant ground cover with bright yellow-green foliage that spreads rapidly. It thrives in both sun and shade but prefers moist soil. This plant is perfect for softening the edges of pathways, cascading over walls, or filling garden beds. Its golden leaves provide year-round visual interest, even in mild winters. Creeping Jenny suppresses weeds by forming a dense mat. It’s a great option for controlling erosion on slopes.

Read more: What Is Eating My Creeping Jenny? [And How To Prevent It]

6. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb’s Ear is a soft, velvety ground cover with silvery-green leaves that add texture to gardens. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it drought-tolerant and easy to maintain. This plant spreads quickly, creating a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds. In summer, it produces tall spikes of purple flowers, attracting pollinators. It’s an excellent choice for rock gardens, borders, and pathways.

7. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle is a hardy evergreen ground cover known for its glossy green leaves and violet-blue flowers. It thrives in partial to full shade and adapts well to various soil conditions. This plant spreads quickly through trailing vines, forming a thick carpet that prevents weed growth. Periwinkle is an excellent choice for covering slopes, under trees, or shady garden beds.It requires minimal care, needing only occasional trimming.

8. Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Mazus is a low-growing perennial that produces tiny, vibrant purple flowers in spring and summer. It thrives in moist, well-draining soil and does well in partial to full sun. This plant creates a dense, spreading mat that effectively suppresses weeds. Mazus is ideal for filling in gaps between stepping stones, along pathways, or in damp areas of the garden. It remains green year-round in mild climates. Occasional trimming keeps it looking tidy and controlled.

9. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, or stonecrop, is a drought-tolerant succulent ground cover that comes in many varieties. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it perfect for dry, rocky landscapes. Sedum’s fleshy leaves store water, allowing it to survive in harsh conditions. It produces small clusters of star-shaped flowers that attract bees and butterflies. This plant spreads gradually, forming a weed-suppressing mat.

Read more: 27 Stunning Border Plants to Perfectly Frame Your Garden Edges

10. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Wild Ginger is a shade-loving ground cover with broad, heart-shaped leaves and unique, hidden flowers. It thrives in rich, moist soil and spreads gradually through underground rhizomes. This plant forms a dense carpet that effectively prevents weed growth. Wild Ginger is an excellent choice for woodland gardens and under shrubs. Its foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season.

11. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Bearberry is a tough, evergreen ground cover with small, leathery leaves and delicate pink flowers. It thrives in sandy, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. The plant produces red berries that attract birds and wildlife. Bearberry spreads slowly, forming a dense mat that suppresses weeds and helps prevent soil erosion. It is an excellent choice for slopes, rock gardens, and coastal landscapes.

12. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

Japanese Spurge is a shade-loving evergreen ground cover with glossy green leaves. It spreads quickly through underground stems, creating a thick, weed-resistant carpet. This plant thrives in moist, well-draining soil and is perfect for under trees or along shaded borders. Japanese Spurge requires minimal upkeep and provides year-round greenery. Its small white flowers bloom in spring, adding subtle charm.

13. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

Snow-in-Summer is a fast-spreading ground cover with silvery foliage and delicate white flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it ideal for dry, rocky areas. This plant forms a thick mat that effectively suppresses weeds. Its cascading habit makes it a great choice for slopes, walls, and edging. Snow-in-summer blooms in late spring to early summer, creating a stunning carpet of white.

14. Barrenwort (Epimedium spp.)

Barrenwort is a shade-tolerant ground cover with attractive, heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers. It thrives in well-draining soil and is highly resistant to deer and rabbits. This plant spreads slowly but effectively suppresses weeds. Its foliage turns bronze or red in fall, adding seasonal interest. Barrenwort is an excellent choice for woodland gardens and shady borders.

15. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Blue Star Creeper is a fast-growing ground cover that produces small, star-shaped blue flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-draining soil. This plant forms a dense, low-growing mat that outcompetes weeds. Blue Star Creeper is ideal for filling spaces between stepping stones, pathways, or rock gardens. It remains evergreen in mild climates.

16. Veronica (Veronica spp.)

Veronica, or speedwell, is a low-growing perennial ground cover with small blue, pink, or white flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. This plant spreads quickly, forming a weed-resistant carpet. Veronica attracts pollinators and adds long-lasting color to gardens. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooms.

17. Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

Partridgeberry is a low-growing evergreen ground cover with trailing stems and red berries. It thrives in partial to full shade and prefers well-draining, acidic soil. This plant spreads gradually, forming a dense mat that suppresses weeds. Its tiny white flowers bloom in spring, and bright berries attract birds. Partridgeberry is perfect for woodland gardens and shaded borders.

18. Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae)

Silver Carpet is a low-growing, drought-tolerant ground cover with silvery-green foliage contrasting garden beds. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it perfect for dry climates and xeriscaping. The plant forms a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds while resisting foot traffic. In summer, it produces small, yellow daisy-like flowers that add extra visual appeal.

19. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

Irish Moss is a lush, moss-like ground cover that thrives in cool, moist environments. It prefers partial shade and well-draining soil. This plant forms a soft, dense carpet that effectively suppresses weeds. It produces tiny white flowers in spring and summer, adding charm to rock gardens and pathways. Irish Moss remains evergreen in mild climates.

20. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Roman Chamomile is a fragrant, low-growing herb that forms a soft carpet of feathery green leaves. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. This plant produces small, daisy-like flowers that release a calming scent. Roman Chamomile suppresses weeds while attracting beneficial insects. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Trimming encourages fresh growth and prolonged flowering.

21. Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana')

Dwarf Mondo Grass is a slow-growing, low-maintenance ground cover with fine, grass-like foliage. It thrives in partial to full shade and tolerates various soil conditions. This plant forms a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds while adding texture to garden beds. It is ideal for pathways, rock gardens, and shaded areas. Once established, it requires little watering and is resistant to pests and diseases.

22. Lilyturf (Liriope spicata)

Lilyturf is a hardy ground cover with grass-like foliage and small, lavender-colored flower spikes. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soil conditions. This plant spreads quickly, forming a thick carpet that prevents weed growth. Lilyturf is highly drought-tolerant and works well along borders, pathways, and under trees. It remains evergreen in mild climates, providing year-round coverage.

23. Baltic Ivy (Hedera helix 'Baltica')

Baltic Ivy is a tough, evergreen ground cover with dark green, glossy leaves. It thrives in both sun and shade, making it a versatile option for various garden settings. This plant spreads aggressively, forming a dense mat suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion. Baltic Ivy is excellent for slopes, shaded borders, and under trees. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance and can withstand harsh winter conditions.

24. Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)

Asiatic Jasmine is a durable, evergreen ground cover with small, glossy leaves. Once established, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly drought-resistant. This plant spreads rapidly, forming a thick carpet that effectively prevents weed growth. Asiatic Jasmine is ideal for slopes, garden beds, and areas with poor soil. It requires minimal care and occasional pruning to keep its growth in check.

Transform Your Garden with Lush Ground Covers

Ground covers are an essential addition to any garden, offering a practical and visually appealing way to suppress weeds while adding texture and color. From vibrant flowering varieties to evergreen foliage, these plants provide year-round interest and help reduce garden maintenance. Many of these ground covers also support pollinators and improve soil health. Whether you have a sun-drenched landscape or a shady retreat, there’s a perfect ground cover for every space. By incorporating these resilient plants, you can create a thriving, low-maintenance garden that enhances the beauty of your outdoor space.