Best Ground Cover To Prevent Weeds

If you’re tired of weeding, the right plants can be your best ally. Finding the best ground cover to prevent weeds is a game-changer for any low-maintenance garden.

These plants form a dense, living mat that blocks sunlight and smothers weed seeds. They save you time and effort, while also adding beauty and helping the soil. Let’s look at how to choose and use these powerful plants in your yard.

Not all ground covers are created equal for weed suppression. The most effective ones share a few key traits. They grow thickly, spread reliably, and are tough enough to handle some foot traffic. Here are some top choices, categorized for different garden conditions.

For Sunny and Dry Spots

These sun-loving, drought-tolerant varieties are perfect for hot, bright areas.

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): This aromatic herb forms a tight carpet of tiny leaves and bursts with pink or purple flowers. It loves full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it needs very little water and bees adore it.
Sedum (Stonecrop): There are many creeping sedum varieties. They have succulent leaves and star-shaped flowers. They thrive in poor, rocky soil and full sun, requiring almost no care. Their thick leaves choke out weeds effectively.
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis): This is a woody, evergreen shrub that spreads wide. It provides year-round weed blocking and is excellent for slopes or large areas. It’s incredibly tough and drought-resistant.

For Shady and Moist Areas

Shady gardens can be weed havens, but these plants will compete successfully.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans): Ajuga spreads quickly by runners, forming a dense mat of colorful foliage, often bronze or purple. It produces spikes of blue flowers in spring and does well in partial to full shade.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): This plant has charming whorls of bright green leaves and tiny white spring flowers. It loves moist, shady woodland conditions and smells like freshly cut hay when dried.
Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis): A classic shade ground cover with glossy, evergreen leaves. It’s a slow but steady spreader that creates a uniform, weed-proof blanket under trees.

For Fast Coverage and Tough Conditions

Need to cover ground quickly? These vigorous growers get the job done.

Periwinkle (Vinca minor): Vinca offers glossy evergreen leaves and lovely blue flowers. It grows in sun or shade and is very aggressive, making it ideal for difficult areas where nothing else grows.
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei): This versatile plant comes in green and variegated forms. It climbs walls or spreads along the ground, providing dense, year-round coverage. Be sure to choose a non-invasive cultivar for your region.

How to Plant Ground Cover for Maximum Weed Blocking

Proper planting is crucial for success. Rushing this step can lead to problems later.

Step 1: Site Preparation is Everything

This is the most important step. You must remove existing weeds thoroughly.

Clear the Area: Remove all existing vegetation. You can dig it out, smother it with cardboard for a season, or use a natural herbicide.
Improve the Soil: Loosen the soil to about 8-12 inches deep. Mix in some compost to improve drainage and provide nutrients. This helps the ground covers establish faster.
Level and Rake: Create a smooth, level planting surface. Remove any large stones or roots.

Step 2: Strategic Planting and Spacing

Follow the spacing guidelines on the plant tag. Planting too far apart leaves room for weeds. For quick coverage, you can plant a bit closer. Arrange plants in a staggered grid pattern, not straight rows, for a natural look.

Step 3: Mulch and Water Wisely

After planting, apply a thin layer of organic mulch (like shredded bark) between the plants. This supresses weeds while your ground cover fills in. Water the new plants deeply and regularly for their first growing season.

Long-Term Maintenance Tips

Even the best ground covers need a little care to look their best and stay weed-free.

Watering: Water deeply during prolonged droughts, even for drought-tolerant types. This keeps them healthy and dense.
Edging: Use a sharp spade or edging tool once or twice a year to keep spreading ground covers from invading lawns or flower beds.
Renewal: Some ground covers, like thyme or ajuga, can get woody. Shear them back lightly after flowering to encourage fresh, dense growth.
Weeding: A few weeds might pop up early on. Pull them immediately while the soil is moist, so they don’t establish or set seed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Watch out for these pitfalls that can undermine your weed-blocking efforts.

Choosing Invasive Plants: Some vigorous ground covers, like English Ivy or some Mint varieties, can escape and harm local ecosystems. Always check if a plant is invasive in your area before buying.
Poor Soil Prep: Skipping thorough weeding means you’ll be fighting those weeds forever as they grow through your ground cover.
Incorrect Plant for the Site: Don’t plant a sun-lover in deep shade, or a moisture-loving plant in dry sand. The plant will struggle, thin out, and let weeds in.
Forgetting About Foot Traffic: If the area is a pathway, choose a tough ground cover like creeping thyme or corsican mint. Delicate plants will die back and create bare spots.

FAQ: Your Ground Cover Questions Answered

What is the fastest growing ground cover to stop weeds?
For speedy coverage, look at Periwinkle (Vinca minor) for shade or Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) for sun to part shade. They spread quickly to fill in space.

What is the best low maintenance ground cover?
Sedum and Creeping Juniper are top picks for being low maintenance. Once established, they need hardly any water, no fertilizer, and just occasional tidying up.

How do I keep weeds out of my ground cover?
Start with perfect site prep. Then, mulch between new plants and hand-pull any early weeds. Keeping your ground cover healthy and dense is the ultimate defense—a thriving plant community leaves no room for weeds.

What ground cover kills weeds?
No plant actively “kills” weeds. Instead, effective ground covers outcompete them for resources like light, water, and nutrients, eventually smothering them. They are a natural weed barrier.

Is mulch or ground cover better for weeds?
Mulch is a temporary, non-living layer that breaks down. Ground cover is a permanent, living solution that also adds beauty and biodiversity. For long-term weed prevention, ground cover is often the superior choice.

Choosing the right plants and prepping your site well sets you up for success. With a little upfront work, you can enjoy a beautiful, weed-resistant garden that gives you more time to relax and enjoy your outdoor space. The best ground covers work for you, season after season, making your garden easier to manage.