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When I first started gardening, I had more weeds than money to fix the problem. Mulch helped for a while, but it wasn’t a long‑term solution especially in full-sun beds where the soil dried out quickly. What finally worked was planting cheap ground cover to prevent weeds. These low-cost plants spread quickly, shade the soil, and reduce weeding dramatically once they fill in.
The trick is choosing ground covers that are fast-growing, low-maintenance, and affordable, either because they’re inexpensive to buy or easy to divide and propagate.
Below are the most reliable, budget-friendly ground covers I’ve personally used in flower beds, borders, slopes, and neglected corners of the garden.
Why Cheap Ground Covers Work So Well
Low-cost doesn’t mean low-quality. These plants prevent weeds because they:
- Spread quickly, filling bare soil
- Create dense mats that block sunlight
- Keep soil moist (reducing watering needs)
- Outcompete weed seedlings
- Add organic matter to the soil over time
In my garden, the right ground cover reduced weeding by about 70% within one season—without spending much money.
What Actually You’ll Need
- A few starter plants or cuttings
- Basic garden trowel
- Compost (optional but helps establishment)
- Watering can/hose
- Light mulch to protect young plants
Money-saving alternatives:
- Use divisions from existing plants
- Swap plants with neighbors
- Buy multi-packs instead of individual pots
- Propagate creeping varieties from cuttings
Cheapest Ground Covers to Prevent Weeds (Proven in Real Gardens)
1. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Best for: Partial shade, moist soil Cost rating: Very cheap
Why it’s affordable: It spreads extremely fast, so you only need a few plugs. I’ve filled entire borders with just a handful of cuttings.
Pros:
- Bright chartreuse foliage
- Excellent at smothering weeds
- Easy to propagate
Note: Can spread aggressively use edging or plant in contained areas.
2. Creeping Thyme
Best for: Full sun, dry soil Cost rating: Low
Why it’s affordable: Small starter plants multiply quickly, and you can root new patches easily from cuttings.
Pros:
- Drought tolerant
- Fragrant
- Handles foot traffic
- Excellent between stepping stones
Great for sunny areas where weeds normally thrive.
3. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Best for: Hot, dry, rocky soil Cost rating: Very low
Why it’s cheap: Sedums are incredibly easy to divide. You can plant pieces directly into the soil and they’ll grow.
Pros:
- Thrives on neglect
- Needs almost no watering
- Great for slopes or rock gardens
Varieties like ‘Angelina’ root anywhere they touch.
4. Clover (White Dutch Clover)
Best for: Lawns, paths, large areas Cost rating: Extremely cheap (seed-based)
Why it’s affordable: Seeds are inexpensive and cover large areas fast.
Pros:
- Fixes nitrogen in soil
- Suppresses weeds quickly
- Drought tolerant once established
Clover lawns are becoming a popular, low-cost alternative to turfgrass.
5. Moss (If Your Yard Has Shade and Moisture)
Best for: Deep shade Cost rating: Free
Why it’s cheap: You can transplant moss from your own yard or encourage it naturally.
Pros:
- Zero mowing
- Evergreen
- Outcompetes weeds in moist shade
Great for shady corners where nothing else grows.
6. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Best for: Full sun, slopes Cost rating: Low
Why it’s affordable: Multi-packs are inexpensive, and it spreads steadily once established.
Pros:
- Thick evergreen mat
- Beautiful spring flowers
- Strong weed control
Ideal for erosion-prone areas.
7. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Best for: Full sun to part shade Cost rating: Very cheap (seed-based)
Why it’s affordable: Seeds are inexpensive, and alyssum self-seeds lightly each year.
Pros:
- Fragrant
- Attracts pollinators
- Great fast filler in new beds
Perfect for filling gaps between perennials.
Step-by-Step: How to Establish Cheap Ground Covers
1. Clear Existing Weeds
Remove as many weeds as possible so your ground cover isn’t competing right away.
2. Loosen Soil & Add Compost (Optional but Helpful)
Even a little organic matter speeds up growth.
3. Plant Closely
Closer spacing means faster weed suppression. Spacing guide:
- Fast spreaders: 12–18 inches
- Slow/medium spreaders: 8–12 inches
4. Water Consistently for 2–4 Weeks
Once established, most cheap ground covers need very little water.
5. Mulch Lightly Around Young Plants
This protects roots until plants spread out.
Professional Tips for Saving Money
- Buy small plug trays instead of large pots.
- Divide existing plants sedum, phlox, and creeping Jenny divide easily.
- Ask neighbors or garden groups for cuttings (ground covers root quickly).
- Start from seed when possible clover and alyssum are especially cheap.
- Plant in spring or fall so you water less.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Planting too far apart
- Overwatering drought-tolerant ground covers
- Planting sun lovers in shade or vice versa
- Expecting instant coverage (most take one season to fill in)
- Using landscape fabric (ground covers struggle to spread through it)
FAQ
What is the cheapest ground cover overall? White clover and creeping thyme are the cheapest when started from seed or plugs.
What cheap ground cover grows the fastest? Creeping Jenny and white clover grow extremely fast.
Which ground cover is best for stopping weeds permanently? Creeping thyme (sun) and creeping Jenny or ajuga (shade/partial shade).
Will ground cover choke out weeds without mulch? Yes once established. For year one, mulch helps them get ahead.
What’s the best low-maintenance option? Sedum it tolerates drought, heat, and poor soil with almost no care.
When NOT to Use Cheap Ground Covers
Avoid them if:
- You need foot traffic tolerance (choose thyme or clover instead)
- Soil stays soggy
- You want a strictly non-spreading plant
- You need immediate coverage (use mulch temporarily)
Alternative Budget Weed-Control Options
- Wood chip mulch
- Leaf mulch
- Cardboard + compost
- Clover lawn instead of turf grass
All are inexpensive and effective.
Conclusion
Choosing cheap ground cover to prevent weeds is one of the most budget-friendly, low-maintenance ways to keep your garden clean and healthy. Creeping thyme, sedum, creeping Jenny, clover, and creeping phlox are among the easiest and most cost-effective options.
Start with just a few plants, water consistently at first, and let them spread. By next season, you’ll have a dense, attractive carpet that stops weeds naturally without breaking your gardening budget.