22 Ground Covers That Look Gorgeous and Crowd Out Weeds

Ground covers can be a game-changer for gardeners tired of battling weeds. These low-growing plants spread out quickly, covering bare spots with lush greenery or vibrant color. The best part? Many of them choke out weeds naturally, leaving less room for unwanted plants to take root. Got a dry slope, a shady patch, or a bare stretch of soil? There’s a ground cover out there ready to turn that tricky spot into a vibrant, green showpiece. This list brings you gorgeous ground covers that look amazing and help reduce garden maintenance.

1. Creeping Jenny - Bright and Bold Beauty

Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing plant with vibrant chartreuse leaves that brighten any spot. It spreads quickly, forming a dense mat that weeds struggle to break through. Perfect for edging paths or cascading from pots, it thrives in both sun and part shade. Its rounded leaves stay colorful all season long. You’ll love how low-maintenance this one is! It barely needs any care once established. Great for wet spots too!

2. Sweet Woodruff - Delicate and Dreamy

Sweet Woodruff has dainty white flowers and whorled green leaves that add a soft, romantic touch. It’s especially happy in shady areas, making it a favorite for under trees. In spring, it releases a lovely scent when crushed—bonus! The plant forms a tight carpet that naturally keeps weeds at bay. It spreads by runners and fills in bare spots without being invasive. Low-growing and lush, it’s also deer-resistant.

3. Blue Star Creeper - Tiny Blooms, Big Impact

This low, spreading plant is covered with star-shaped blue flowers during spring and summer. Despite its delicate look, Blue Star Creeper is tough and drought-tolerant. It forms a dense mat that chokes out weeds with ease. It is great for stepping stones or as a lawn substitute. It handles foot traffic well and stays evergreen in mild climates. Plus, it adds a whimsical charm to any space.

4. Ajuga - The Colorful Carpet

Ajuga, or bugleweed, brings deep purples, blues, and bronzes to your garden floor. It spreads through runners, filling gaps fast and keeping weeds out. The spiky flower clusters add vertical interest in spring. It’s perfect for slopes or shady spots where grass struggles. Ajuga can handle foot traffic, too, making it a great lawn alternative. With its bold colors, it creates a striking contrast in mixed plantings. Hardy, adaptable, and beautiful—what more could you want?

5. Sedum - The Succulent Shield

Sedums are succulents that come in many shapes and colors, from chartreuse to deep red. These drought-loving plants form thick mats that block weeds and thrive on neglect. They need little water or attention, perfect for dry spots or rock gardens. Low-growing varieties like Sedum 'Angelina' are super popular for ground cover. They add texture and a pop of color all year long. Sedums also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

6. Moss Phlox - Spring’s Showstopper

This spring bloomer creates a stunning carpet of pink, purple, or white flowers. Moss phlox spreads quickly and forms a dense mat that weeds can’t penetrate. It loves full sun and well-draining soil. Ideal for hillsides, rock gardens, or along borders. The evergreen foliage keeps things tidy even when not in bloom. It's low-maintenance and handles drought like a champ. When in flower, it steals the show!

7. Pachysandra - Evergreen Shade Saver

Pachysandra is a classic ground cover for shady areas. Its glossy green leaves stay beautiful year-round. This slow but steady spreader creates a thick mat that weeds can’t invade. It’s great under trees where grass won’t grow. Resistant to deer and rabbits, it’s a tough and reliable choice. You’ll need to water it well first, but it’s smooth sailing after that. Perfect for a polished, green look in low-light spots.

8. Thyme - Fragrant and Functional

Creeping thyme forms a fragrant, weed-smothering, pretty, and practical carpet. It’s drought-tolerant and loves the sun, making it great for dry areas or walkways. When stepped on, it releases a lovely herbal scent. Tiny purple or pink flowers attract pollinators in summer. It’s also edible—bonus points for versatility! The dense growth habit blocks out weeds naturally. A perfect pick for cottage gardens or between pavers.

9. Lamium - Silvery Stunner

Also known as deadnettle, Lamium boasts silvery foliage and pretty pink or purple blooms. It brightens shady spots and spreads easily to form a dense, weed-resistant mat. Unlike many ground covers, it’s both deer- and rabbit-resistant. Great for under shrubs or trees where other plants won’t thrive. It blooms on and off through the growing season. You’ll love its soft texture and unique color.

10. Vinca Minor - Classic and Carefree

Also called periwinkle, Vinca minor is beloved for its glossy leaves and violet-blue blooms. It’s a vigorous spreader that quickly covers large areas and suppresses weeds. It's ideal for slopes, shady beds, or erosion-prone spots. Vinca is evergreen and keeps your garden looking tidy year-round. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant. With very little effort, it creates a lush, weed-free carpet. It's a timeless favorite for a reason.

11. Irish Moss - Soft and Charming

Irish Moss forms a cushiony mat of lush green that looks like a fairytale lawn. Tiny white flowers pop up in spring, adding a sweet detail. It prefers cool, moist spots and partial shade. Perfect for stepping stones or in rock gardens, this low-growing plant creates a dense surface that weeds can’t sneak through. It feels soft underfoot and stays neat year-round. It's a great choice if you want a tidy, manicured look.

12. Helianthemum - Sun-Loving Stunner

Also known as sunrose, Helianthemum loves full sun and poor soil. It bursts into color with cheerful, poppy-like blooms in late spring. This plant forms a spreading mat that naturally suppresses weeds. It’s drought-tolerant and perfect for slopes or dry borders. The evergreen foliage gives year-round interest. It's great for adding vibrant color to tough spots. You’ll love its tough nature and lively display.

13. Corsican Mint - Tiny, Tough, and Fragrant

Corsican Mint is a miniature marvel that forms a lush, green carpet and releases a refreshing minty scent when stepped on. It thrives in shady, moist environments and is ideal for planting between pavers or along shady paths. Despite its delicate look, it grows densely enough to keep weeds away. The tiny leaves add fine texture to any space and stay attractive all season. It’s also surprisingly resilient for its size. Best in areas with good drainage and occasional watering.

14. Creeping Raspberry - Tough and Textured

Creeping Raspberry is a hardy ground cover with rugged, textured leaves and a spreading habit. Its foliage turns a rich bronze in colder months, adding year-round interest. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soil. It’s excellent for erosion control on slopes and banks. The stems root as they grow, quickly forming a dense, weed-resistant mat. In summer, it produces small white flowers followed by ornamental red fruit.

15. Barren Strawberry - Bright and Tough

This native plant offers bright yellow flowers and strawberry-like foliage. Despite the name, it doesn’t fruit—but it does form a thick, weed-resistant mat. It thrives in dry, rocky soil and full sun. Excellent for erosion control on slopes or rough patches. The toothed green leaves look great through the seasons. It’s both deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. A tough little beauty for hard-to-plant areas.

16. Snow-in-Summer - Frosty and Fabulous

This silvery-leaved plant blooms with a frosty blanket of white flowers in early summer. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. The foliage sparkles even after blooms fade, keeping things interesting. It spreads quickly and naturally suppresses weeds. Great for rock gardens, walls, or sunny slopes, it's drought-tolerant and easygoing. It’s a real showpiece, a cool-toned standout in any sunny garden.

17. Lithodora - Electric Blue Bloomer

Lithodora offers one of the most vivid blue flowers in the plant world. It forms a low, trailing mat that thrives in sun to partial shade. This plant needs well-drained soil and doesn’t like wet feet. Its thick foliage keeps weeds in check with ease. Perfect for edging, containers, or hillsides, it blooms throughout spring and early summer. A striking choice for adding cool tones and weed control, it is a great choice for adding cool tones and weed control.

18. Partridgeberry - Woodland Wonder

This native ground cover thrives in shaded, wooded areas. It features small white flowers followed by bright red berries. The evergreen leaves are glossy and create a tidy mat. It’s slow-growing but long-lived and dependable. Ideal for naturalized landscapes and under trees. It rarely needs maintenance and discourages weeds with dense coverage. A gentle, pretty choice for forest-inspired gardens.

19. Bearberry - Hardy and Evergreen

Bearberry is a native evergreen that hugs the ground with small, leathery leaves. It produces pinkish flowers in spring, followed by red berries. This tough plant loves poor, sandy soil and full sun. Great for dry slopes or erosion control. It spreads slowly but forms a lasting mat that suppresses weeds. It's low maintenance, its tidy look, and wildlife value make it a smart pick.

20. Silver Ponyfoot - Sleek and Spreading

Silver Ponyfoot is a stylish ground cover with trailing, silver-gray foliage that adds a cool tone to warm landscapes. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it great for xeriscaping. This plant spreads quickly, forming a soft, low mat that helps block out weeds. It's heat- and drought-tolerant, perfect for tough southern gardens. The rounded leaves give it a unique, modern look. It works well spilling over walls, in containers, or across open beds.

21. Ice Plant - Vivid and Water-Wise

Ice plants bring electric pink or purple flowers to dry, sunny areas. Their fleshy leaves store water, making them ideal for drought-prone spots. This succulent spreads fast, covering ground and smothering weeds. It is great for coastal gardens or xeriscapes. It thrives in sandy, poor soil and full sun. Its blooms last all summer and attract pollinators. Bright and carefree!

22. Wild Ginger - Glossy Ground Hugger

Wild ginger is a lush, native option with heart-shaped leaves and hidden brown flowers. It loves shady, moist areas and spreads slowly but steadily. The thick foliage forms a natural mulch, blocking sunlight from weeds. It’s deer-resistant and adds a woodland charm. Great under trees or along shaded paths. Its leaves stay glossy through summer. A beautiful choice for serene garden corners.

Why Ground Covers Are a Gardener’s Best Friend

Ground covers do more than look good; they work hard behind the scenes. These plants help prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes or areas with heavy rainfall. They also improve soil health over time by holding in moisture and reducing temperature swings. Many ground covers are pollinator-friendly, supporting bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects. You’ll save time and money by reducing your need for mulch, herbicides, or constant weeding. They can also soften harsh edges, fill awkward corners, and make transitions between planting areas more natural.

Weed-Free and Wonderful

Choosing the right ground cover can transform your garden into a low-maintenance, weed-free oasis. From sun-drenched slopes to deep shade, there’s a beautiful plant for every need. These options not only add color and texture, but they also do the hard work for you. Many are drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and great for erosion control. With the right ground covers, you’ll spend less time weeding and more time enjoying your garden.