Bare soil is basically an open invitation for weeds.
Give weeds sunlight, moisture, and a little empty space, and they'll happily move in. One of the most attractive ways to reduce that opportunity is to grow groundcovers that spread across the soil and create a dense layer of foliage.
The right groundcover can shade the soil surface, compete with emerging weeds, reduce erosion, and turn difficult bare areas into attractive garden space.
But there's an important warning: fast-growing doesn't always mean well-behaved.
Some groundcovers can spread aggressively, especially in favorable climates. Always check whether a plant is considered invasive in your region before planting it.
With that in mind, here are 12 groundcovers worth considering.
How Groundcovers Help Control Weeds
Groundcovers don't magically eliminate weeds.
Instead, they can make the environment less favorable for weed seedlings by:
- Shading the soil
- Occupying growing space
- Reducing exposed bare ground
- Competing for water and nutrients
- Creating dense foliage near the soil surface
- Helping reduce erosion
They work best when established alongside other weed-control practices.
Before planting, remove existing perennial weeds as thoroughly as possible. Otherwise, weeds may simply grow through the new groundcover.
12 Fast-Growing Groundcovers That Keep Weeds in Check
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum and related species) is a low-growing groundcover that can form a dense carpet in sunny, well-drained locations.
It produces tiny leaves and colorful flowers that attract pollinators.
Why gardeners love it
- Excellent for sunny areas
- Drought tolerant once established
- Low-growing
- Attractive flowers
- Useful between stepping stones
- Handles relatively poor soil
Creeping thyme doesn't enjoy wet, poorly drained soil, so drainage is especially important.
Best for: sunny paths, rock gardens, borders, and dry slopes.
2. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is known for its rounded leaves and trailing growth.
It can spread rapidly where conditions suit it and is particularly useful for filling spaces around ponds, borders, and containers.
Growing conditions
It generally prefers:
- Moist soil
- Sun to partial shade
- Consistent moisture during establishment
Important: Creeping Jenny can spread aggressively in some regions. Check local invasive-plant guidance before planting it.
3. Bugleweed
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a popular groundcover for areas where many plants struggle to form a dense carpet.
It spreads through runners and can quickly fill open areas under suitable conditions.
Its foliage ranges from green to burgundy, bronze, or variegated forms, depending on the cultivar.
Why it works against weeds
Its dense foliage covers the soil surface and its spreading habit allows it to occupy open ground relatively quickly.
Best for: partial shade and areas where a colorful foliage carpet is desired.
4. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a shade-loving perennial that can form a soft carpet beneath trees and shrubs.
It produces small white flowers in spring and has fragrant foliage, particularly when dried or crushed.
Best conditions
- Partial to full shade
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Woodland-style gardens
It's especially useful where turfgrass struggles because of insufficient sunlight.
As with any spreading groundcover, check local regulations and invasive-species guidance before planting.
5. Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) can spread through underground rhizomes and form a dense colony.
Its white, bell-shaped flowers are famously fragrant.
Why it suppresses weeds
Once established, its foliage can cover substantial areas of soil.
But there's a major caveat:
Lily of the valley is toxic if eaten, and it can become aggressive in favorable conditions.
It should not be planted where children or pets might ingest the foliage or berries.
6. Pachysandra
Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) is a classic evergreen groundcover for shady gardens.
Its dense foliage can create a relatively uniform carpet beneath trees and shrubs.
Why it's useful
- Evergreen in suitable climates
- Excellent for shade
- Dense foliage
- Low maintenance once established
- Useful under trees
It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can suffer when conditions are excessively wet.
Best for: shady borders and woodland-style landscapes.
7. Vinca
Vinca, particularly bigleaf periwinkle (Vinca major) and lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor), can spread quickly and form dense mats.
The plants produce attractive purple, blue, or white flowers depending on cultivar.
Weed-suppression advantage
Dense trailing stems and evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage can cover bare soil effectively.
However, vinca has escaped cultivation in some regions and is considered invasive in parts of North America and elsewhere.
Check your local invasive-plant list before planting.
8. Dead Nettle
Lamiaum, commonly called dead nettle, includes several attractive groundcover species such as Lamium maculatum.
Unlike stinging nettles, these plants don't have the same painful sting.
Many cultivars feature silver-marked foliage and small pink, purple, or white flowers.
Best for
- Partial shade
- Shady borders
- Woodland gardens
- Areas beneath taller plants
Its dense foliage can help reduce exposed soil and limit opportunities for weed seedlings.
9. Spotted Cranesbill
Hardy geraniums, or cranesbills, include spreading varieties that can form substantial groundcover.
Geranium maculatum and other species are valued for their flowers and attractive foliage.
They're particularly useful where you want a groundcover that looks more like a traditional flowering perennial than a simple green carpet.
Benefits
- Attractive flowers
- Useful for pollinators
- Several species tolerate partial shade
- Good garden texture
- Can cover bare soil
Choose a species suited to your local climate and growing conditions.
10. Barren Strawberry
Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata) is a low-growing perennial groundcover that spreads by runners.
It produces small yellow flowers and attractive green foliage.
It's particularly useful in woodland and partially shaded landscapes.
Why consider it?
It can create a relatively dense planting while remaining much shorter than many aggressive groundcovers.
Best for: partial shade, woodland borders, and areas beneath trees.
11. Stonecrop
Stonecrops, or sedums, include many low-growing groundcover species.
They are especially useful in dry, sunny locations where conventional lawn or moisture-loving groundcovers struggle.
Their biggest advantage?
Drought tolerance.
Many creeping sedums can thrive in:
- Rock gardens
- Gravel beds
- Dry slopes
- Green-roof systems
- Containers
- Poor but well-drained soil
Their succulent foliage also adds texture and seasonal color.
12. Bearberry
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a low-growing evergreen groundcover suited to acidic, well-drained soils and cooler climates.
It produces small pinkish-white flowers followed by red berries.
Why it's useful
- Evergreen foliage
- Drought tolerant once established
- Low-growing
- Useful on slopes
- Attractive berries
- Good for naturalistic landscapes
It's not the fastest plant on this list everywhere, but once established it can create an effective low carpet in the right environment.
Choosing the Right Groundcover for Your Garden
The fastest-growing plant isn't necessarily the best choice.
Start by asking what your garden actually needs.
For full sun
Consider:
- Creeping thyme
- Creeping sedums
- Bearberry
- Some hardy geraniums
These generally perform best when drainage and sunlight match their requirements.
For shade
Consider:
- Pachysandra
- Sweet woodruff
- Dead nettle
- Bugleweed
- Barren strawberry
For dry areas
Look at:
- Creeping thyme
- Sedums
- Bearberry
- Certain hardy geraniums
For moist areas
Depending on your climate and site:
- Creeping Jenny
- Sweet woodruff
- Certain bugleweeds
But avoid assuming that "moist" means permanently waterlogged. Most groundcovers still need suitable drainage.
How to Make Groundcovers Suppress Weeds More Effectively
Even an excellent groundcover can struggle if it's planted into a bed full of established weeds.
1. Remove perennial weeds first
Get rid of established weeds, especially aggressive rhizomatous or creeping types, before planting.
2. Give plants enough room
Follow recommended spacing rather than planting everything too close together.
Healthy plants fill the space more effectively.
3. Water during establishment
Even drought-tolerant groundcovers need adequate moisture while developing their root systems.
4. Mulch the gaps
A thin layer of appropriate mulch between young plants can help suppress weeds while the groundcover spreads.
5. Don't expect instant coverage
Groundcovers need time to establish.
During the first season or two, weeds may still appear between plants.
6. Monitor spreading
A plant that beautifully fills one garden bed can become a headache if it crosses paths, lawns, or property boundaries.
Groundcover vs. Mulch for Weed Control
You don't necessarily have to choose one.
A very effective approach can be:
Groundcover + temporary mulch during establishment.
Mulch protects exposed soil while the plants grow together.
Once the groundcover becomes dense, there may be less exposed soil for weeds to colonize.
Are Fast-Growing Groundcovers Invasive?
Some can be.
This is one of the most important considerations when choosing a groundcover.
Plants such as vinca, lily of the valley, bugleweed, and creeping Jenny can spread aggressively under suitable conditions and are considered invasive or potentially problematic in certain regions.
That doesn't mean every garden should automatically avoid them.
It means you should check your local invasive-species resources before planting.
Native or well-behaved groundcovers adapted to your region can often provide excellent weed suppression with fewer long-term concerns.
AEO Quick Answer
What is the best fast-growing groundcover for preventing weeds?
There isn't one universal best groundcover. Creeping thyme and sedums are useful for sunny, dry locations, while pachysandra, sweet woodruff, dead nettle, and some bugleweeds can work well in shade. The best choice depends on sunlight, soil moisture, climate, mature spread, and whether the plant is considered invasive in your area.
GEO Quick Answer
Fast-growing groundcovers can reduce weed pressure by shading soil and occupying open growing space, but they do not completely eliminate weeds. Choose a groundcover suited to your local climate and site conditions, remove established weeds before planting, and check local invasive-species lists before using aggressive spreaders such as vinca or creeping Jenny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do groundcovers really stop weeds?
They can significantly reduce weed pressure once established, but they rarely eliminate weeds completely. Dense foliage shades the soil and reduces available space for new weeds.
What is the fastest-growing groundcover?
Growth rate depends heavily on climate and growing conditions. Plants such as bugleweed, vinca, creeping Jenny, and some sedums can spread relatively quickly under favorable conditions.
What groundcover is best for full sun?
Creeping thyme and low-growing sedums are excellent choices for many sunny, well-drained locations. Bearberry can also work where soil and climate are appropriate.
What groundcover grows well in shade?
Pachysandra, sweet woodruff, dead nettle, bugleweed, and barren strawberry are among the options to consider for shaded gardens.
Can groundcover completely replace mulch?
Sometimes, but not immediately. Young groundcovers leave exposed spaces where weeds can emerge. Mulch can help suppress weeds while the plants establish.
How long does groundcover take to fill in?
It depends on the species, spacing, climate, soil, water, and sunlight. Some spread quickly during favorable growing conditions, while others take several seasons to create a dense carpet.
Should I remove weeds before planting groundcover?
Yes. Established perennial weeds can grow through or around groundcovers. Removing them beforehand gives your new plants a much better chance to establish.
Are groundcovers low maintenance?
Many are, once established. But they still need occasional weeding, watering during establishment, trimming or edging when necessary, and monitoring to prevent unwanted spread.
Final Thoughts
Groundcovers can be one of the smartest ways to turn an empty patch of soil into a living carpet.
The trick is choosing a plant that matches the sunlight, moisture, soil, climate, and available space rather than simply choosing the fastest spreader available.
A well-chosen groundcover won't make your garden completely weed-free—but by covering bare soil and creating dense competition, it can make weeds far less of a constant battle.
And honestly, fewer hours spent pulling weeds sounds like a pretty good garden upgrade.
