14 Ground Cover Plants to Replace Weeding & Mulching

Tired of constantly pulling weeds and refreshing mulch every season? Ground cover plants are the ultimate low-maintenance secret for a lush, beautiful landscape.

These spreading plants act like living mulch — conserving moisture, preventing weeds, and adding texture and color to your garden.

Here are 14 of the best ground cover plants that will help you say goodbye to endless weeding and mulching.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme forms a fragrant carpet of tiny green leaves and delicate purple flowers. Once established, it completely smothers weeds and tolerates light foot traffic.

It thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil, making it ideal for pathways, garden borders, and rock gardens. Plus, it releases a pleasant aroma every time you walk on it.

This living mulch is drought-tolerant and never needs trimming — a win for busy gardeners.

2. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

Ajuga, or bugleweed, grows in dense mats of glossy foliage in shades of green, bronze, or even deep purple. In spring, it sends up blue flower spikes that attract bees and butterflies.

It spreads quickly, filling bare soil and outcompeting weeds with ease. Perfect for shaded or partially sunny areas.

Once planted, Ajuga needs minimal attention — just an occasional trim to keep it tidy.

3. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny creates a golden-green carpet that shines especially bright in sunlight. It spreads fast, hugging the soil and leaving no room for weeds to sprout.

This plant thrives around ponds, pathways, or under shrubs where mulch usually goes. It’s hardy, low-growing, and adds cheerful color all year.

For a dramatic look, mix it with darker foliage like Heuchera or ferns.

4. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

If you want a soft, lush, moss-like ground cover without the fuss, Irish Moss is perfect. It forms a dense green mat with tiny white blooms in spring.

It stays low, needs no mowing, and looks amazing between stepping stones. It prefers partial shade and moist soil, ideal for cool, damp areas.

Once it fills in, weeds don’t stand a chance.

5. Sedum (Sedum acre or Sedum spurium)

Sedums, or stonecrops, are sun-loving, drought-tolerant succulents that spread easily over rocky or sandy soil. Their fleshy leaves store water, reducing your need to mulch.

They come in green, red, or gold tones and bloom beautifully in summer. These hardy plants also prevent erosion on slopes.

Perfect for low-maintenance xeriscapes or borders where weeds struggle to survive.

6. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle is a classic evergreen ground cover with shiny leaves and violet-blue flowers. It’s tough, adaptable, and spreads steadily without becoming invasive when maintained.

It thrives under trees or in shaded garden beds where grass won’t grow. Once mature, it forms a thick mat that naturally suppresses weeds.

Low effort, high impact — a timeless ground cover solution.

7. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet Woodruff offers star-shaped green leaves and dainty white flowers that appear in late spring. It releases a pleasant, sweet scent when dried or crushed.

It’s perfect for shaded areas and under trees, where it forms a soft, weed-proof carpet. This plant prefers moist soil but can tolerate some dryness once established.

A great natural mulch replacement for woodland gardens.

8. Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Mazus is a tiny but mighty ground cover with bright green leaves and small lavender-blue flowers. It thrives in damp soil and grows quickly in both sun and shade.

It’s ideal for filling spaces between pavers, rock gardens, or along edges where weeds love to pop up.

Low-growing and dense, Mazus requires almost no maintenance after it takes root.

9. Hosta (Hosta spp.)

For shady areas, Hostas provide large, lush leaves that create natural weed barriers. Their thick foliage shades the soil, preventing weed seeds from germinating.

They come in many colors — from deep green to blue-gray and variegated patterns — adding texture to garden beds.

Combine them with ferns or astilbes for a rich, layered shade garden that never needs mulching.

10. Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

Pachysandra is a durable evergreen that thrives in deep shade. It spreads slowly but steadily, forming a dense mat that completely blocks weeds.

Its glossy green leaves stay vibrant all year, and small white flowers appear in spring. It’s great for planting under trees or along shaded foundations.

Once established, Pachysandra needs little more than occasional watering.

11. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

Corsican Mint forms a low, cushiony carpet of tiny leaves that release a refreshing mint scent when stepped on. It’s a natural choice for garden paths and between pavers.

It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, but once established, it requires minimal care.

Its aromatic quality makes it a sensory delight as well as a practical weed barrier.

12. Lamium (Lamium maculatum)

Lamium, or dead nettle, adds silver, green, or variegated leaves with pops of pink or white flowers. It thrives in shady, dry areas where few other plants survive.

It spreads gently but covers soil efficiently, creating a beautiful, low-maintenance layer.

Perfect for replacing mulch under shrubs, it adds visual interest and protection from erosion.

13. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping Phlox is a spring showstopper, blanketing the ground in bright shades of pink, purple, and white.

It’s drought-tolerant and works wonders on slopes or rock gardens. Once it establishes, it forms a dense mat that chokes out weeds easily.

Its evergreen foliage also looks neat through winter — a beautiful and functional mulch alternative.

14. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Bearberry is a hardy evergreen ground cover with small glossy leaves, pinkish flowers, and red berries that attract birds.

It thrives in poor, sandy soil where grass or mulch struggles. It’s slow to spread but forms a permanent, weed-resistant mat once established.

This tough beauty is ideal for low-water landscapes and erosion control.

Why Choose Living Mulch Over Traditional Mulch?

Ground covers offer year-round beauty, save money on mulch, and naturally keep weeds in check. They also insulate roots, enrich soil, and reduce erosion — all while adding stunning texture to your yard.

Whether you want a soft mossy feel, a fragrant thyme path, or lush green shade covers, these plants make gardening easier and more rewarding.