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Every gardener eventually hits the same frustration: no matter how often you pull them, weeds keep coming back. I dealt with this constantly in my side yard beds until I started using plants that prevent weeds by creating a natural living mulch. These low, spreading plants shade the soil, crowd out weed seedlings, and keep garden maintenance manageable even during busy weeks.
The reason this works is simple: when the soil is covered, weeds can’t find space or light to grow.
Below are seven plants I’ve tested personally in real backyard, terrace, and small garden conditions. Each one reliably suppresses weeds without taking over your garden.
1. Creeping Thyme
Best for: Full sun Growth habit: Low, dense mat
Why it prevents weeds: Creeping thyme fills gaps between perennials and along borders. Its tight foliage leaves no sunlight for weed seeds. In my sunny herb bed, it’s the only thing that stopped crabgrass from returning.
Highlights:
- Drought tolerant
- Attracts pollinators
- Handles light foot traffic
Avoid if: Your soil stays wet thyme hates soggy conditions.
2. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Best for: Part shade to light sun Growth habit: Fast-spreading ground cover
Why it prevents weeds: This plant hugs the soil tightly and spreads fast, creating instant coverage. In my container and border plantings, it filled bare patches in one season.
Highlights:
- Bright foliage
- Excellent for moist areas
Use with care: It spreads quickly use edging if planting in beds.
3. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Best for: Shade to part shade Growth habit: Thick, evergreen rosettes
Why it prevents weeds: Ajuga roots wherever its runners touch soil, forming a dense, weed-proof mat. Mine grows under shrubs where nothing else wanted to thrive.
Highlights:
- Purple or bronze foliage
- Spring flower spikes
- Great in problem shade spots
Check local guidance: It’s invasive in some regions.
4. Low-Growing Sedum (Stonecrop)
Best for: Full sun, dry soil Growth habit: Tight succulent clusters
Why it prevents weeds: Sedum handles heat and poor soil better than weeds do. In my rock garden, it’s the only plant that stayed dense enough to block bindweed and spurge.
Highlights:
- Very low maintenance
- Thrives in poor, sandy soil
- Great around roses and stepping stones
Avoid in heavy clay or constantly wet areas.
5. Sweet Woodruff
Best for: Shade Growth habit: Soft, spreading carpet
Why it prevents weeds: Sweet woodruff forms a delicate-looking but surprisingly effective ground layer. Under my maple tree, it outcompetes chickweed and creeping buttercup—two persistent shade weeds.
Highlights:
- Fragrant foliage
- Great under trees and shrubs
Needs moisture during hot summers.
6. Liriope (Lilyturf)
Best for: Sun or shade (very adaptable) Growth habit: Clumping grass-like perennial
Why it prevents weeds: Once liriope clumps expand, they knit together and choke out weeds. I use it along pathways where grass refuses to grow.
Highlights:
- Tolerates dry shade
- Evergreen in mild climates
- Excellent for edging
Choose dwarf varieties for tighter weed control.
7. Dwarf Mondo Grass
Best for: Shade Growth habit: Slow-spreading clumps
Why it prevents weeds: Dwarf mondo grass forms small, dense mounds that eventually merge into a weed-blocking carpet. It works beautifully around trees and in low-light flower beds.
Highlights:
- Very tidy appearance
- Evergreen
- Low maintenance once established
Best for long-term beds since it fills in gradually.
Conclusion
Using these 7 plants that prevent weeds is one of the easiest, most sustainable ways to control unwanted growth in your garden. Whether you’re dealing with sun, shade, dry soil, or moisture, there’s a ground cover here that can take over the job weeding used to demand.
Pair these plantings with good soil prep and consistent watering during the first few weeks, and you’ll soon have healthy, attractive ground cover that keeps weeds out naturally.
Happy gardening your beds are about to get a whole lot cleaner and easier to maintain!