Here’s my honest take: when you’re fighting weeds, you don’t just yank, you replace. You plant groundcovers in that space where weeds keep popping up, and you do it fast so they don’t come back. I’ve messed this up before, mulch too thin, watering too random, picking the wrong plants for the wrong spot, and yeah, the weeds laughed at me.
But once I started using dense, fast-spreading ground cover plants, the garden got calmer, cleaner, and honestly way easier. This guide shows you how to choose and grow 15 fast growers that crowd out weeds, save water, and still look cute.
Table of Contents
How to plant groundcovers in that space (without losing your weekend)
Think simple. To plant groundcovers in that space and win against weeds, the steps are not fancy, just consistent:
- Start clean. Pull the big weeds, rake out junk, and slice off tough roots you can see. If the area is really gnarly, smother it for 2–3 weeks with cardboard and compost on top.
- Loosen and feed. Break up the top 4–6 inches of soil. Mix in compost. Don’t overthink it, good soil helps roots run faster.
- Plant tight. Spacing is the secret sauce. Most groundcover plants want about 8–12 inches apart, sometimes 18 inches if it’s a big sprawler. Tighter spacing = quicker coverage.
- Water like you mean it, then chill. Keep new groundcovers evenly moist for the first 2–4 weeks. After that, taper off so the roots dive deep.
- Trim the edges. Pinch tips or shear lightly after they establish. This pushes branching and thicker mats, aka fewer weed windows.
- Match plant to place. Sun vs. shade, dry vs. damp, foot traffic or not. Don’t put a sun-lover in the dark and expect magic.
You’ll see me use phrases like groundcover plants, ground cover plants, evergreen ground cover, fast-growing groundcover, flowering ground covers, low-growing ground cover, ground cover option, and groundcover plant throughout, because the idea is simple: fill the bare soil with the right living carpet, and weeds have nowhere to stand.
1) Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
If you’ve got a sunny or part-shade spot that needs quick color, creeping jenny sprints. It spreads by rooting stems, making a tight, glossy mat that hugs the ground. The golden cultivar (‘Aurea’) pops near stones or along paths. It loves moisture but handles average soil fine too. Trim the runners where you need a clean edge. Great for softening hard lines and, yes, to plant groundcovers in that space near a downspout or low area that stays a bit damp.
- Height: 2–4 inches
- Light: Sun to part shade
- Notes: Bright chartreuse, super fast, easy to shape
Variation shout-outs: one of the most reliable groundcover plants for speed; a durable ground cover option when you need impact fast.
2) Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Ajuga is the purple-bronze carpet you’ve probably seen in older gardens, and honestly it still slaps. The leaves come in moody shades and the blue flower spikes show up in spring. It knits together under small trees or in tricky corners where grass sulks. It’s a low-growing ground cover that handles some foot brushing but not a soccer game.
- Height: 4–8 inches
- Light: Sun to part shade
- Notes: Spring blooms, foliage color show, spreads by runners
SEO side-note: if you’re picking groundcover plants for shade, Ajuga sits top 3.
3) Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Spring fireworks. That’s creeping phlox. It’s evergreen-ish with tiny needle leaves, then throws a massive blanket of pink/purple/white in spring. After bloom, it still covers soil and keeps weeds down on slopes or rocky beds.
- Height: 4–6 inches
- Light: Full sun best
- Notes: Loves drainage; excellent for retaining walls and sunny edges
This one is a classic flowering ground cover. If your slope keeps sliding mulch away, plant groundcovers in that space with creeping phlox and watch it stitch the bank together.
4) Stonecrop / Sedum (many species)
Sedums are the tough kids. Hot, dry, sandy, whatever, sedum shrugs. There are dozens of groundcover plants in the sedum clan; some form tight mats, others make little hummocks with starry flowers that pollinators adore.
- Height: 2–8 inches (varies)
- Light: Full sun
- Notes: Thrives in poor soil, drought hero, easy to divide
Perfect ground cover plants for sunny strips by driveways or around stepping stones.
5) Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
You want woodland charm? Sweet woodruff smells like fresh hay when you clip it, with dainty white flowers in spring. It forms a green lace under shrubs and trees and crowds out little weeds by sheer togetherness.
- Height: 6–10 inches
- Light: Part to full shade
- Notes: Fragrant, spreads steady, likes moisture but not soggy
In darker corners where nothing else wants the job, plant groundcovers in that space with sweet woodruff and let it do its calm thing.
6) Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida)
Tiny fern-like leaves that look like scaled armor, super cool texture, and it handles light foot traffic. It stays very low and fills cracks, which makes it killer between pavers.
- Height: 1–2 inches
- Light: Sun to part shade
- Notes: Fast mat-former, unusual look, neat between stepping stones
An underrated groundcover plant for quirky detail lovers.
7) Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum and cousins)
This one smells amazing when you brush it. Creeping thyme makes a tight, flowering mat that bees go nuts for. It wants sun and drainage, and it’s great for dry paths and stone joints.
- Height: 1–3 inches
- Light: Full sun
- Notes: Edible-friendly, drought-tolerant, light foot traffic okay
If you’ve got hot, stingy soil, plant groundcovers in that space using creeping thyme. It’s a classic fast-growing groundcover for sunny, lean spots.
8) Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Need evergreen coverage that stays put year-round? Creeping juniper spreads like a living blue-green rug. It controls erosion on slopes and laughs at heat once established.
- Height: 6–18 inches (cultivar-dependent)
- Light: Full sun
- Notes: Salt-tolerant, drought-tough, true evergreen ground cover
Great where you want low maintenance and a clean winter look.
9) Periwinkle / Vinca (Vinca minor or major)
Glossy leaves, purple-blue pinwheel flowers, and a serious spread habit. In many places Vinca is a standard shade ground cover plant under trees or along foundations. Do check your local guidance; in some regions it can spread too far if ignored.
- Height: 4–8 inches
- Light: Part shade to shade
- Notes: Fast, easy, prune edges to contain
If it’s allowed in your area, it’s still a smooth operator for weed control in shade.
10) Hostas (Hosta spp.)
I know, they’re not flat like a classic carpet, but big hosta leaves are like umbrellas, very little light hits the soil, and weeds hate that. Mix sizes for full coverage: minis in front, big boys in the back.
- Height: 6–24+ inches (varies a lot)
- Light: Shade to part shade
- Notes: Combine varieties for a layered ground cover option; mulch once, then let leaves do the job
Pro tip: plant close, then divide every few years, free plants, denser coverage.
11) Clovers (Trifolium repens and friends)
White clover is humble but mighty. It stays low, blooms for pollinators, fixes nitrogen (free fertilizer), and takes mowing if you want a tidy look. In spots where grass fails, clover often wins.
- Height: 3–6 inches
- Light: Sun to part shade
- Notes: Walkable, good between orchard rows or open beds; easy groundcover plants for busy folks
If you need to plant groundcovers in that space fast and cheap, clover is a friendly go-to.
12) Dichondra (D. repens or ‘Silver Falls’)
Dichondra makes a soft, coin-leaved mat that looks like a velvet puddle. The ‘Silver Falls’ type is a favorite for trailing over walls and containers, but it also crawls beautifully in dry, sunny beds with good drainage.
- Height: 2–4 inches
- Light: Full sun to light shade
- Notes: Loves heat, dislikes wet feet, gorgeous texture
A stylish ground cover plant when you’re bored of the usual greens.
13) Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Shade champion. Pachysandra forms a glossy evergreen carpet that shrugs off dry shade once established. It’s neat, formal, and neat again, great for under hedges or trees where the lawn is just sulking.
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Light: Part to full shade
- Notes: Slow the first year, then steady; easy to shear edges
If your foundation bed looks patchy, plant groundcovers in that space with pachysandra and be done.
14) Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)
Shimmery silver leaves with pink or purple flowers. Lamium brightens shade and spreads into a soft, slightly trailing mat. It’s polite if you trim it now and then.
- Height: 6–8 inches
- Light: Part shade to shade
- Notes: Colorful foliage, long bloom window in cool seasons
Another pretty flowering ground cover for dim corners.
15) Mazus (Mazus reptans)
Tiny, dense leaves and sweet lavender-white flowers in late spring. Mazus is perfect between stepping stones because it stays low, hugs edges, and knits cracks with fine roots.
- Height: 1–3 inches
- Light: Sun to part shade
- Notes: Loves even moisture; trim after bloom for a fresh, tight look
It’s a small but mighty groundcover plant that makes paths feel finished.
Planting plan templates you can copy
If you’re not sure which combo to use, try these quick mixes. They’re simple, cheap, and they work.
Sunny slope (erosion control):
- Creeping juniper (anchor, evergreen ground cover)
- Creeping phlox (spring bloom, visual pop)
- Sedum (drought filler between)
Dry walkway cracks / stepping stones:
- Creeping thyme (fragrance, pollinators)
- Brass buttons (ultra low)
- Mazus (tight stitcher)
Moist shade under shrubs:
- Sweet woodruff (fragrant spreader)
- Lamium (silver leaf sparkle)
- Pachysandra (evergreen backbone)
Fast color near patio edge:
- Creeping jenny ‘Aurea’ (chartreuse wow)
- Sedum ‘Angelina’ (golden, drought-proof)
- Creeping phlox (spring blanket)
Honestly, if you just plant groundcovers in that space using one anchor evergreen, one fast flowerer, and one “gap filler,” you’ll be golden. Mix heights a little so it looks layered, not flat.
Maintenance that takes minutes, not hours
- Water to establish, then cut back. First 2–4 weeks: keep soil evenly moist. After that, water deeply but not often.
- Edge twice a year. A flat spade or half-moon edger keeps mats crisp and stops sneaky runners.
- Trim after bloom. Creeping phlox, mazus, lamium, they all thicken up if you give them a quick haircut.
- Top-dress with compost. A thin layer in spring keeps the soil lively, which helps your ground cover plants outcompete weeds.
- Spot-weed early. If a weed pokes through, yank it small so it never goes to seed. Two minutes now saves hours later.
If a patch fails (it happens), don’t stress. Swap species. The goal is coverage, not loyalty. Keep the soil covered, mulch now, then plant groundcovers in that space when you get the replacements.
Picking the right plant for your place
Use this fast filter:
- Full sun + dry: Sedum, creeping thyme, creeping phlox, dichondra (well-drained), creeping juniper.
- Part shade: Ajuga, creeping jenny, clover, lamium, mazus.
- Full shade: Sweet woodruff, pachysandra, hostas, vinca (where permitted).
- Foot traffic (light): Creeping thyme, brass buttons, mazus, clover.
- Erosion control: Creeping juniper, creeping phlox, sedum mix.
- Year-round green: Creeping juniper, pachysandra, many sedums (semi-evergreen), vinca, some hostas (dies back but returns strong).
When in doubt, start with a small test patch. If it thrives, scale up. If not, try the next groundcover plant on the list. No big deal.
What about invasiveness?
Some groundcover plants can out-hustle more than you want. Vinca in certain regions, even creeping jenny in damp climates, might wander outside the bed. This isn’t scary, it’s just a reminder:
- Research your area. Local extension sites are your friend.
- Edge and maintain. Two quick trims a year keep fast growers honest.
- Contain where needed. Use edging, stone borders, or mow lines to keep mats inside the lines.
The key message stays the same: if you plant groundcovers in that space and give them light maintenance, they do the heavy lifting against weeds.
A quick month-by-month cheat sheet (first year)
- Month 1: Prep soil, install plants tight, water consistently.
- Month 2: Light pinch or shear to thicken. Keep weeding tiny intruders.
- Month 3: Taper water. Edge once if runners appear.
- Month 4–6: Plants knit together. Spot-weed. Enjoy blooms or foliage.
- Month 7–9: Shear after bloomers; top-dress with a little compost.
- Month 10–12: Edge again. Mulch gaps you still see. Plan to fill any gaps for spring.
By the end of year one, most of these ground cover plants have formed a real carpet. Year two gets even easier.
Frequently asked “but will it…?” questions
Will groundcovers kill all weeds forever?
No plant is a magic eraser, but thick groundcover plants slash weed pressure like crazy. You’ll still pull a few; you’ll pull far fewer.
Can I mix more than one?
Yes, please. Mixed carpets look natural and hedge your bets. If one slows down, the other keeps going.
Do I still need mulch?
At the start, yes, a little. Later, the living mulch replaces it. As plants fill, use less mulch each season.
What about pets and kids?
Pick tougher species for play zones (creeping thyme, brass buttons, clover). Avoid toxic plants where chewing is likely, and always check specific varieties.
Can I mow any of these?
Clover takes light mowing. Some folks clip creeping thyme lightly after bloom. Otherwise, hand shears or string trimmers are enough.
Final word (and a little pep talk)
Weeds love bare soil. So stop giving them bare soil. Pick two or three from this list, plant groundcovers in that space, water steadily for a month, and then kinda let them live their lives. Edge twice a year, snip after bloom, and that’s 80% of the job done. Your beds will look fuller, the soil will stay cooler, and you’ll spend more weekends chilling, not yanking.
