Tired of constant weeding and reapplying mulch in your garden? You’re not alone. Thankfully, there’s a low-maintenance solution: ground cover plants to replace weeding and mulching. These resilient plants don’t just beautify your space — they naturally smother weeds, retain soil moisture, and reduce the need for back-breaking yard work. Whether you’re looking for colorful blooms, fragrant foliage, or tough greenery that thrives between pavers, the options are as practical as they are attractive. Ready to transform your garden into a self-sustaining, weed-resistant oasis? Let’s explore nine stunning ground cover plants that do the work for you.
🌸 1. Creeping Phlox – A Colorful Blanket for Sunny Spots
If you’re looking to brighten your garden while cutting down on maintenance, Creeping Phlox is a top choice. This vibrant ground cover forms a dense mat of colorful blooms that not only dazzle in early spring but also naturally suppress weeds, making it an ideal ground cover to replace weeding and mulching.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Spreads quickly, forming a thick carpet that blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds.
- Great for erosion control on slopes or rocky terrain.
- Adds seasonal bursts of pinks, purples, and blues.
Ideal Uses:
- Borders
- Slopes and banks
- Rock gardens
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 3–9
- Height & Spread: 4–6 inches tall, 12–24 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial sun
- Botanical Name: Phlox subulata
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Violet Pinwheels’
- ‘Emerald Blue’
- Mountainside™ ‘Crater Lake’
- ‘Drummond’s Pink’
🌿 2. Creeping Thyme – Fragrant and Foot-Traffic Friendly
Looking for a ground cover that smells as good as it looks? Creeping Thyme is a delightful, aromatic option that pulls double duty as a low-maintenance weed suppressant and a natural mulch alternative. It’s tough enough to handle light foot traffic and thrives in sunny spots, making it perfect for walkways, patios, and open garden spaces.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Releases a pleasant herbal scent when stepped on.
- Low-growing and drought-tolerant.
- Doesn’t require mowing or regular trimming.
Ideal Uses:
- Between stepping stones
- Garden paths and patios
- Front-yard lawn replacement
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 5–9
- Height & Spread: 2–4 inches tall, 12–18 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to part sun
- Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum
Popular Varieties:
- Red Creeping Thyme
- Woolly Thyme
- Lemon Thyme
☀️ 3. Stonecrop (Sedum) – Drought-Tolerant and Weed-Smothering
For gardeners in hot, dry climates, Stonecrop, also known as Sedum, is a must-have. This tough-as-nails succulent thrives where other plants struggle and forms a thick, weed-blocking mat of foliage. Its ability to replace weeding and mulching makes it one of the most efficient ground covers out there — all while adding a modern, textured look to your landscape.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Handles heat and drought like a pro.
- Adds texture and color even in poor soil.
- Requires almost zero upkeep once established.
Ideal Uses:
- Rock gardens
- Borders
- Between paving stones
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 3–9
- Height & Spread: 2–6 inches tall, 12–24 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Botanical Name: Sedum spp.
Popular Varieties:
- Sunsparkler® ‘Dazzleberry’
- ‘Coral Carpet’
- Golden Sedum
- Sedum ‘Angelina’
🌸 4. Cranesbill (Hardy Geranium) – Elegant and Effortless
If you’re after a blend of beauty and practicality, Cranesbill is a true garden gem. Known for its delicate blooms and lush, trailing foliage, this low-maintenance ground cover is a fantastic option to replace both weeding and mulching. It grows vigorously without being invasive and thrives in a variety of light conditions.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Offers a long blooming season with soft pink, purple, or blue flowers.
- Forms a thick mat that chokes out weeds.
- Works in sun and partial shade — perfect for versatile planting.
Ideal Uses:
- Garden borders
- Rock gardens
- Between stepping stones or open beds
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 4–9
- Height & Spread: 6–12 inches tall, 18–24 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to part shade
- Botanical Name: Geranium spp.
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Delft Blue’
- ‘Bevan’s Variety’
- Rozanne® (an award-winning favorite!)
🌱 5. Bugleweed (Ajuga) – Bold Color and Weed Control in One
Looking for a ground cover that adds rich color, thrives in shade, and replaces constant weeding and mulching? Meet Bugleweed, a lush, fast-spreading plant that creates a dense mat of foliage — perfect for smothering weeds. With its dramatic leaves and springtime flower spikes, it’s as decorative as it is functional.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Gorgeous foliage in shades of green, bronze, or purple.
- Spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers in spring.
- Excellent for filling shady spaces where grass or mulch fails.
Ideal Uses:
- Shady borders and beds
- Pathway edges
- Between stepping stones or under trees
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 3–10
- Height & Spread: 6–12 inches tall, 12–18 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to part shade
- Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans
Popular Varieties:
- Feathered Friends™ ‘Flashy Flamingo’
- ‘Chocolate Chip’
- ‘Black Scallop’
🌼 6. Mazus – Soft, Spreading, and Perfect for Moist Areas
Mazus is a charming ground cover that thrives in damp spots where other plants struggle. With its small, vibrant flowers and ability to spread quickly, it’s ideal for replacing weeding and mulching in shaded or moisture-retentive areas. Its low, dense growth keeps soil covered year-round, naturally discouraging weeds.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Bright flowers in shades of purple or white add cheerful color.
- Spreads easily but stays low and neat.
- Ideal for rain gardens, shady paths, and wet soil.
Ideal Uses:
- Rock gardens
- Between pavers
- Moist, shaded borders
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 4–9
- Height & Spread: 2–4 inches tall, 12–24 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Part shade to full sun
- Botanical Name: Mazus reptans
Popular Varieties:
- White Mazus
- Purple Mazus
💗 7. Dianthus – Cheerful Blooms and Minimal Effort
If you’re looking for a ground cover that delivers continuous color and minimal upkeep, Dianthus might be your new favorite. Known for its fragrant, fringed flowers and low-growing habit, this plant excels at replacing mulch and reducing weeding in sunny garden areas. It’s a gorgeous, practical choice that brings charm and structure to your landscape.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Long-lasting blooms in vibrant pinks, reds, and purples.
- Sweet clove-like fragrance adds to its appeal.
- Dense foliage helps suppress weed growth naturally.
Ideal Uses:
- Borders and flower beds
- Rock gardens
- Between stepping stones
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 4–9
- Height & Spread: 4–6 inches tall, 12–18 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Botanical Name: Dianthus deltoides
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Paint The Town Magenta’
- Fruit Punch® ‘Raspberry Ruffles’
- ‘Firewitch’
🌿 8. Siberian Bugloss – Elegant Shade-Lover That Fights Weeds
For shady corners of your garden, Siberian Bugloss is a gorgeous and practical solution. With its heart-shaped, often silver-veined leaves and delicate blue flowers, it adds year-round beauty while acting as a living mulch. This plant thrives where others fail and naturally reduces the need for weeding or mulching.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Foliage stays attractive even when not in bloom.
- Excellent at weed suppression in low-light areas.
- Adds softness and texture to woodland or shaded gardens.
Ideal Uses:
- Under trees
- Shady borders and pathways
- Woodland garden beds
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 3–8
- Height & Spread: 6–12 inches tall, 12–18 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Part shade to full shade
- Botanical Name: Brunnera macrophylla
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Jack Frost’
- ‘Betty Bowring’
💙 9. Creeping Speedwell – Low-Growing Color for Sun or Shade
Creeping Speedwell is a fast-spreading, low-growing ground cover that delivers vibrant blue blooms and a tidy carpet of foliage. Ideal for both sunny and partially shaded spots, this plant is a fantastic option for replacing weeding and mulching—especially in areas where you want quick coverage and a pop of color.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Produces stunning small flowers that attract pollinators.
- Grows quickly and evenly, covering bare spots with ease.
- Soft, compact foliage looks neat all season long.
Ideal Uses:
- Lawn alternative
- Borders and edges
- Between stepping stones
Quick Growing Guide:
- USDA Zones: 4–8
- Height & Spread: 2–4 inches tall, 12–24 inches wide
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to part shade
- Botanical Name: Veronica repens
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Tidal Pool’
🌿 Final Thoughts: Make Gardening Easier with Ground Cover Plants
Replacing traditional mulching and constant weeding with ground cover plants is one of the smartest moves you can make for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly garden. Whether you want drought-tolerant succulents, fragrant herbs, or bold bloomers, there’s a ground cover here for every space and sunlight condition. These plants don’t just save time — they enhance beauty, support pollinators, and build healthier soil over time. Ready to spend more time enjoying your garden and less time maintaining it? Start planting smart with these natural weed-fighting ground covers.